Te Araroa

“Not all who wander are lost.” - J.R.R Tolkien

Trail Stats

Length: ~1425km (~885 miles) with alternatives
Elevation gain: ~31K metres (~100K ft)
Highest point: 1925 metres (6316 ft)
Lowest point: Sea Level
Starting point: Bluff, New Zealand
Finishing point: Ship Cove, New Zealand
Max Scramble levels: 2/5
Bushwalking Level: 2/5

Description

This long-distance was officially opened in 2011. It runs for about 3000km from Cape Reing to Bluff, crossing both islands in length. I have only done the South Island for its mountains and wilder side.

The Te Araroa has it all, you will walk on beaches, farmland, forest, marsh areas, volcanoes, and exposed ridges. The multiple river crossings, strong wind, unpredictable weather, will keep you on your toes. With over 1000 huts all over the country, New Zealand is a wonderful place to explore. Make your conquest of the Lord of the Ring land. In the end, the journey might take you somewhere you wouldn't have imagined.

Highlights

Some amazing sections: Waiau Pass, Blue Lake, Richmond Range, and Queen Charlotte Track or among my very best.
Change: You will see the vegetation change multiple times along your hike.
Company: I usually do my trips alone but I had a hiking partner on this one, it presented its challenges but overall it was a great experience.
Lights: In the summer, you will have 15 hours of daylight which is great for hiking.
Alternatives: Routeburn, Cascade Saddle, and Rees Glacier were some alternative routes and they shouldn't be missed!
Peace of mind: New Zealand is one of the places in the world where you can hike without worrying about wildlife, no bears, scorpions, snakes, or ticks... A paradise!

Challenges

People: The number of hikers attempting this hike every year keeps growing, now we are talking over a thousand people. For some, that will be great, but I am the type that likes to be completely alone.
Wind: Wind gusts above 100km/h are not uncommon, and the wind can change direction suddenly.
Treeless sections: Some section won't have trees for days, it makes it hard to find good sheltered spots, especially when strong wind or nasty weather are around.
River Crossing: Plenty of river crossing

When to go

Summer in New Zealand is December to February. I have chosen January and February to hike. Spring and Fall can offer great hiking conditions as well. Just be aware of lingering snow up passes and snowmelt flooding river if you hike in the spring.

Resupplies

There are plenty of towns on the trail or close by for resupplying. I only sent one food box. Please visit resupply plan for further information.

GPS

Te Araroa website has all the extra information needed for some good planning and they update their GPS file. That being said, the TA is a well-marked trail. I barely used my GPS and maps. They have as well a very useful free app.