New Zealand is known as one of the planets premier walking destinations. So what would you think if I told you this is one of New Zealand’s greatest walks? New Zealand, also known as Middle Earth after the popular remake of J.R.R Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, is splendor unbound and best experienced through hiking.

This particular valley, is a part of New Zealand’s well-known Routeburn Track in the Fiordlands. Since the 1880’s the Routeburn Track has proved to be one of the most accessible and popular journeys into New Zealand’s forests and mountains. It passes through two national parks (Fiordland and Mount Aspiring) and is in a World Heritage Area.

The Valley of Trolls is on the second of the third day of the hike and offers spectacular views of snow-capped mountain peaks, alpine grasses surrounding a series of pools that are fed the melting glacial waters. This is a spot where you take off your pack and just enjoy the moment and one that you will remember for a long time afterwards.