About Us

Wild Walks is the hiking/ trekking operation of Aspiring Guides.  We are professional mountain guides - not tour operators and we guide on the wildest backcountry trekking and hiking in New Zealand. Named for our local mountain - the iconic 3033m Mt Aspiring,  Aspiring Guides has offered world class mountain guiding and instruction, trekking and ski touring for over 20 years.  Based out of Wanaka and Queenstown, our Wild Walks explore the lesser travelled corners of the Mt Aspiring National Park and the South West World Heritage Area - where the scenery is always spectacular, and the challenges many.

Aspiring Guides was founded in 1990 by IFMGA Mountain and Ski Guides Nick Cradock, Guy Cotter, and Paul Scaife.

Aspiring Guides and Wild Walks joined forces in October 2008.  Chief Guide and UIAGM/IFMGA guide, Whit Thurlow overseas the mountaineering, skiing and trekking operations of Aspiring Guides.

Your safety is our priority. We have 'hand-picked' specialist guides from within the NZ outdoor industry, placing much importance on their qualifications, knowledge, experience level and communication skills. Our trekking guides come from a diverse background.  But all our trekking crew are outdoor professionals, some with NZMGA qualifications, others are fully qualified ski patrollers or glacier guides with local and overseas experience.

Our high level of expertise, comprehensive logistics support and refreshing personalities are the basis of Aspiring Guides' internationally renowned reputation for providing a quality and personalised service.