It is situated 175 km north of Gisborne city, along State Highway 35 between Tokata and Awatere. I didn’t stop to enjoy the scenery or take anything in. Also, wearing toesocks means you can protect your feet from sandflies in the evenings and plod around camp with your flipflops. We attempted one spot but then pulled out as the current was too strong. Super fun. On our South Island journey, this famous trail brings us from the coastal forests of Queen Charlotte Sound to Fiordland National Park, where the Te Araroa meets the Southern Ocean. A cup of tea has never tasted so good as it did when I finally got to the van! I had run 20kms extra the penultimate day to make sure my last day was just a cruisey marathon. I had beaten the previous record by over 11 days. Lucky for us, this terrain was similar to what we have back home – mountains, mountains and more mountains – so we felt like we were in our element. But that was a while off yet so I just got on with having as much fun as I could. 66 days. Her only regret was that she didn’t have the time to see more of this wonderful country which is now our home. We reached Ada River at 8pm and started scoping out a safe place to cross. Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Our route largely follows the spine of the Southern Alps, crossing skyline ridges to alpine lakes and through native forests, farmlands, and tussock country. We boarded the Interisland Ferry a few hours after I completed the North Island. I hugged Tommy. Thankfully Tommy accompanied me for the first 12km, which included two river crossings, which were, of course, totally fine. A Trail Angel is someone who provides an awesome service to a weary hiker, whether it be a spot to camp for the night, a hot drink, a shower or a lift in their car. A group of girl guides had lined up and I gave them all high fives. Donate now. Day 2 featured three big climbs including going up the screen covered Little Rintoul (which was not little) and Mt Rintoul. Traditional tour companies may charge thousands of dollars for a two week tour in Te Araroa Trail (South Island). 7 hours. We continued up, taking in Blue Lake and Lake Constance which have some of the purest water in the world. Overall this deviation was small—about a mile per day. Te Araroa. It took us over 3 hrs to get through a section which would normally take 1.5hrs. A 22km, mostly unsealed, no-exit road from Te Araroa takes you to the most Easterly point on mainland New Zealand. Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. It connects the dots between the northern tip of New Zealand (Camp Reinga) and the southern apex (Invercargill). Foot care is SO important. Then Alex joined us. Walk it all, walk it in your lifetime, walk New Zealand - walk Te Araroa! I was a total mess. The trail is best tackled north to south, beginning from the top of the North Island at Cape Reinga in late spring. We mark the end of the Te Araroa trail with a hike on the Foveaux Walkway along the coast, right along the edge of the Southern Ocean. South Island vs North Island? The schedule says four days but we agreed that we would try to finish in three so we could have Christmas Day off! In these sections, trip planning, river crossing and navigation skills are recommended, as w… It was fun. I simply wanted to get it done. At Wilderness Travel we never rent or sell our mailing list. (What the Trip is Like) REQUEST CATALOG ENEWS CONTACT US 1-800-368-2794 We ran/hiked to Ada homestead, about 15kms along. Usually the South Island Te Araroa takes the most obvious route, following a valley or ridge when it’s there to be followed and crossing over passes when necessary to reach the next valley, but this track was deliberately keeping us far above a very flat farm road just to our right. It felt so fitting that he was by my side for the final day. At 2996 km, stretching from Cape Reinga, the tip of the North Island to Bluff, the southern end of Highway 1, it rates in length. I summited the highest point of the trail. Unfortunately, Mat had succumbed to shin splints so it was just Nicki and I heading out for 2 nights in huts. Having these two legends from back home, who are among the nicest and most uplifting runners you could be around, was an amazing boost. With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. We had a quick regroup at the bottom of the Pass. Wrong. Days on the trail are rewarded by the natural showcase of New Zealand’s famously diverse landscapes, and we’ll stay in comfortable lodges en route, savoring the country’s world-class wines and fresh local cuisine every step of the way. Of course, there were still some crappy moments – like slipping over when trying to cross Bush Stream. The next day, we were knackered. To be honest, the three days are a blur because I just put my foot down and legged it from hut to hut. We’ll hike along Lake Rotoiti, where dense beech forest towers over a carpet of mosses and ferns, keeping an eye out for the native forest birds such as the fantail, tomtit, and bush robin. I slept in to 10:30am and basically ate for the rest of the day. Sign me up to receive your Enewsletter, announcing new adventures and special offers. Then we met Tommy’s brother, sister and her boyfriend in Twizel. Let's go on an adventure together. Depart via Queenstown on Day 14. The trail travels from Cape Reinga on the North Island to Bluff on the South Island, passing through 9 distinct regions on its way. Day 1 was easy. We had to leap off the road ever few minutes to avoid being mown down. But it did further highlight one of my biggest fears - rising rivers. Instead of heading into the mountains, we ran 12km to the trailhead and spent the arvo hanging around Havelock, drinking coffee and the odd beer. My full Te Araroa Trailexperience on and off trail totalled 146 amazing days. In Nov 2019, I ran the Te Araroa Trail, from Cape Reinga to Bluff in New Zealand. Mat would stay with Tommy in the van. Stretching 3,000 km from Cape Reinga, at the top of the North Island, to Bluff, at the bottom of the South Island, the TA is defined by its challenging terrain, unpredictable weather and navigational obstacles, and just may be the toughest of the world’s major thru-hikes. Tommy joined me for moral support for the final 7km, which made it a little better. Nicki and I were on a mission. Rivers rose, roads flooded. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests. We explore the tide pools before climbing up Howell’s Hill to Mores Scenic Reserve, where the views are phenomenal, extending out to Stewart Island, the third largest island in New Zealand, and the vast expanse of the Southern Ocean. Find a Trail Angel on Te Araroa – New Zealand’s Trail. In the north huts are way more common than found in the North Island section. If I end up doing it, it won't be walking every step of the island like with the South Island. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking. We pulled ourselves together and got across using the river crossing technique. I've run 3,000km across NZ in 66 days; cycled the length of the UK and travelled through Europe and the USA. Doing the North Island, Te Araroa doesn't hold all that much appeal. New Zealand’s Te Araroa Trail is the world’s newest long-distance thru-hike. The following day we went for it. It was like a game and I felt like a big kid. There was no room to get worried about anything. Māori in the area are generally associated with the Ngāti Porou iwi. This website is a resource for trampers to find help along Te Araroa … We had conquered the Richmond Ranges and next up was Nelson Lakes, including the mighty Waiu Pass. Friends had laid out signs for me with silly quotes which made me laugh. The only difference was that we would be staying in huts for three nights so had to carry all our kit and food with us. Talk about making a mountain out of a mole hill Lucy. nzherald.co.nz. Our lodge, built at the turn of the century, is accessible only by boat. Day 4 was a death march. The diversion west is brief as Te Araroa bounces east again over Goat Pass. As I went to take a step forward, I lost my footing and before I knew it, I was fully submerged in the river. The final km was brilliant. The quality of the scenery is generally up there, plenty varied. T-12 months: persuade your work to … I teamed up with some local runners to take on the mighty Goat Pass. We head to Nelson Lakes National Park, named for the 16 lovely alpine lakes cradled high in this beautiful stretch of the rugged Southern Alps. Here are my top-tips for planning the hike. As I rounded the final bend, I got emotional for a second but then I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. Then Laura and Phil met us at Lake Hawea. I was simply pushing my way through grass as high as my shoulders, falling into boggy marshes that went up to my thighs and bush bashing my way through gorse bushes, which are basically just super sturdy, giant prickle bushes. That said, before I could get too far into my own head, the first day of South Island started out with a bang. All the same you obviously need to take a tent. I also chatted to a friend back home to try, who pointed out that I seem to have these melt downs when I am stationary. After we visit the historic gold-mining village of Arrowtown, taste some of the famous local pinot noir at a winery, we’ll hike the mountains, lakes, forests, and tussock grasslands of Mavora Lakes Conservation Park, with its Middle Earth scenery. We talked through what we should do – wait or go – but all agreed was a no brainer to wait. She was in reasonable health for most of her illness and we travelled when her treatment allowed. The Pass was basically a huge scree slope, which wasn’t too bad as it made for consistent footing. This 3000.0 km route stretches from Cape Reinga in the North Island to Bluff, located on the tip of the South Island. We took our time, taking in the scenery, chatting about the trip, facetiming my parents. We had heard that part of the track had been washed away recently so we started at 6am to give ourselves a little more time. I can honestly say, the final day was one of the best in my life. I had my own little entourage and they made the whole experience super positive. The Dusky Track perhaps, walking on Stewart Island down to see Gog and Magog. This allows for cooler late spring and early summer temperatures in the North Island and means trekkers reach the colder, higher-altitude South Island in the mid-to-late summer, when there's less likely to be snow in the mountains, and the rivers will be lower. At an average of 25 kms a day, the trail takes 120 days to walk – four months. This went on for 18kms. Around 5pm I started to get distracted – thinking about the days ahead. The terrain wasn’t inspiring. It jumbles the bustling cities, sleepy beachside settlements, muddy forests and volcanic landscapes of the North Island with the remoteness, mountains and vast open spaces of the South Island. The North Island certainly has its moments, but it does involve more road walking, less time away from civilisation, and takes a little longer. This is where I began to unravel – getting super stressed out about the next section. In fact it was some of the worst on the trail. I ate a sandwich, put my pack back on and went on to tackle the next four crossings. I was stressed out about the river crossings. It was poorly marked so I was constantly second guessing if I was going the right way. It traverses the entire country; beaches, forests, mountains, volcanoes and cities and should likely take me four to five months to finish. Te Araroa Resupply for the South Island 1689km Picton. I somehow managed to lunge forward onto a shallow bed of rocks about 1.5m in front of me. Tommy joined me for the day and we had a ball – jumping over puddles and traversing our way around muddy pits. It starts on a historic crossing of the Main Divide via the Harper Pass Track. Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. They are known for very steep and technical terrain – arguably the hardest in the whole country. I'm Lucy and I like to go on epic adventures. My mind runs away when it has too much time to think. 8 minutes. It spans a distance of 3,000 km, or 1,900 miles. Te Araroa is a town in the Gisborne Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Read about my South Island experience, including the Richmond Ranges, Nelson Lakes and … The track wasn’t very formed – we stumbled our way across tussock and up scree slops. This area is a fine introduction to the richness of New Zealand’s lush native forest. But Tommy joined me for the entire time. Then 10kms on a gravel walkway with our friend Laura, which was pleasant. Day 63 was one of my favourite days. Finally, it was 7km across farmland onto a coastal track to the Bluff signpost. We just wanted to get to the van. We slowly picked our way up and had some celebratory Whittakers at the top. The Ferry to and from the North Island arrives in this town. GAFFL can potentially save you 70-90% tour costs in Te Araroa Trail (South Island). Finally, I came back to hike the Richmond Ranges in December 2018. There were tears that morning – the type of crying that sounds more like you are hyperventilating. Overview. Really hard. Phew! We zoomed through the first 20kms which were flat. Christmas Day was lovely. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. I took rest days for rest, injury, fu… First up was 9kms on a busy road. It is an astonishing route of 3,000 km across the country stretching from Cape Reinga to Bluff. New Zealand's Te Araroa: The North Island, Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as. The trail encompasses the country’s two main islands. On the Te Araroa, your feet are wet a lot of the time, in fact in the South Island they will be wet for the majority of the time! One of the world’s truly great long walks. Te Araroa means “the long pathway” in Maori. It passes through mesmerizing vistas, from oceanside to alpine… Then I was on my own. Here we’ll hike skyline ridges with incredible views across Marlborough Sounds’ secluded bays, islands, coves, and sheltered waterways. It is an incredible gesture and quite a lot of work. Miserable. Basically, it wasn't a track. But sadly, at the very back of my mind, I just knew having them around would make it even harder when they left. Oh, and it started pissing down rain. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. Thankfully I teamed up with one, Mark, to do the final river crossing. In the final weeks we also had an influx of friends and family join. Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. It was hard to find a suitable place as the sun was sinking and cast a shadow over the river so we couldn’t see the bottom. On our South Island journey, this famous trail brings us from the coastal forests of Queen Charlotte Sound to Fiordland National Park, where the Te Araroa meets the Southern Ocean. About the river crossings. Completed in 2011, it’s a 3000 kilometer trail extending from Cape Reinga in the North to Bluff in the south. Support the trust today so that you can enjoy the trail tomorrow, either one day at … From January to March 2017 I walked the South Island part of Te Araroa, New Zealand’s walking trail from Ship Cove to Bluff. We went up and over Travers Saddle and made it to the West Sabine Hut in good time. Te Araroa is New Zealand’s premier long-distance hiking trail, stretching 3000 km (1860 mi) across the country’s two main islands. Tommy chaperoned me to a small tourist transfer boat which took me out to the start of the stunning Queen Charlotte Track. We fly to Queenstown and head out for Te Araroa hikes above treeline in the Mototapu Valley, the perfect place for vistas across the snow-capped Southern Alps. The 3000km pathway known as Te Araroa (‘The Long Pathway’) stretches across Te Ika-a-Māui/the North Island and Te Wai Pounamu/the South Island. What’s Te Araroa? These crossings are really mentally taxing and we were all wrecked by the end of the day. I got some comfort in making a smart call and waiting another day to mentally prepare. We decided to take a punt and keep going to Anne Hut, which was 22km away. This long route goes from North to South and gives you, excited hikers, a ve We reached Anne Hut at 9:45pm, had a baby wipe shower and crept inside. New Zealand’s long-distance hiking trail, the Te Araroa, connects the North Island and South Island by way of spectacular parks and reserves. The 56km flew by. TE ARAROA The Te Araroa is New Zealand's newest and longest footpath. It was a pretty good tonic for my nerves and another great unplanned fun memory. North Island South Island Full Te Araroa; 18.2 mi/day: 19.2 mi/day: 18.4 mi/day: Conventional wisdom says that people cover less distance per day on the South Island, but I experienced the opposite. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. There is a Four Square and Fresh Choice Grocery Store but most people resupply in … The views were particularly beautiful with horses running in the dying sunlight. Monday, 21 December 2020. Again, it was totally fine. Read about my North Island experience, including my favourite sections and getting lost in the Tararua Ranges/ But it was only 30kms to Boyle Village where the boys would meet us and we would have a rest day the next day – Christmas Day! About what happens when our friends, who were joining for the next 10 days, leave. Good because we had absolutely stunning views that stretched right to the coast from the top of Red Hill. We had been warned of knee-high mud and bogs. I also ran what was possibly the worst trail of the trip - the Mararoa River Track. I was a total mess and on the verge to tears, which spilled over big time when we hit Picton. Then 16kms on a State Highway which was very popular with logging trucks. Nicki and Mat left on Boxing Day and I headed out for 3 days by myself. The overnights were now something I looked forward to because I was sharing it with friends. Then it was a slow, boulder hopping descent back down to the river, which we followed all the way to Waiau Hut, which has only 6 beds. I was scared of being alone. These were slow but the views made up for it. The route was officially called Te Araroa Trail and opened in 2011 by the Governor-General of New Zealand, Sir Jerry Mateparae. In Nov 2019, I started running the Te Araroa Trail, from Cape Reinga to Bluff. The North Island route is just over 1,600 km long, and the South Island just under 1,400 km. We walked about 1km up the river where we found a spot where we could see the bottom. Te Araroa is the birthplace of Sir Apirana Ngata, who made it his life’s goal to uplift the Māori race spiritually, culturally and economically. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet. Gradually, things got better. The Te Araroa Trust does an amazing job of offering these on their site to be downloaded FOR FREE! Bad because we had to do 7 crossings of the Wairo River, which was flowing incredibly fast. You pass from grassy cattle flats and beech forest on the east to rugged rivers on the west. We also covered some of the most beautiful sections of the trail – Breast Hill, Montotapu Ranges, Arrowtown. We arrived at 2:30pm and had a beer in hand by 3:30pm at the campsite. Every dollar makes a difference. Huge chunks of the track had collapsed into the river which sent us bush bashing around them. I started the trail on 14th October 2017 and finished on 02nd March 2018. I didn’t want to go. Neil's got me interested in the Overland track across Tasmania. Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures. Hike the best sections on the South Island of New Zealand’s long-distance trail, the Te Araroa, from Queen Charlotte Sound to Fiordland National Park. Even the 1309 km of the South Island part that this website concentrates on. What Te Araroa offers is a snapshot view, at walking pace, of the best of New Zealand. Te Araroa means “The Long Path” and so it is. About the mountains. New Zealand’s long-distance hiking trail, the Te Araroa, connects the North Island and South Island by way of spectacular parks and reserves. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Te Araroa is the birthplace of noted Māori politician Sir Āpirana Ngata. We arrived at 4:30pm but the hut was already full. The 3000km route stretching from Cape Reinga in the north of New Zealand to Bluff in the south. Tommy tried to console me without much luck. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category. Finally, Melissa flew in from NYC as a surprise. After this stunning and positive start to the South Island, we then went into the notorious Richmond Ranges. It has a lot of road and farm walking. It was through the Longwood Forest. It is also here where I joyfully picked up our friends, Nicki and Mat. Many parts of the trail are challenging. To get to the next hut in would hopefully meet another hiker so I had someone to talk to. I stripped off my pack and sat on the river bank for about five minutes, completely shaken. We meet in Blenheim, the gateway to Marlborough wine country, and head to the beautiful Queen Charlotte Track, one of New Zealand’s finest walking tracks. Day 3 was memorable for good and bad reasons. Day 2 was hard. If you have only limited time, the South Island is the more spectacular, more back country part of the total Te Araroa Trail. First Things First You need to understand me and my particular way of hiking and resupplying before we go any further into my resupply strategy on Te Araroa. First, Scooby from London joined me for one day. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet. Our options were to push on or sleep on the floor. See our Privacy Policy for further details. I tackled the Two Thumb Range by myself and ran along the most beautiful single track which had views over the crystal blue Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook. Just as we were getting ready to tackle this section, the sky opened up and we got torrential rain. Discover remote villages, magical kauri forests, breathtaking volcanic scenery and bustling cities on New Zealand’s Te Araroa trail. I hugged my crew. Te Araroa in Canterbury is about the mighty Southern Alps. Mine was a gloriously leisurely thru hike and below is my Te Araroa Trail itinerary. The only resupplies needed on the South Island were to St Arnaud and Arthur’s Pass. We were literally crashing our way through a wall of trees and bushes. There’s plenty of huts on the South Island section of Te Araroa. South Island Te Araroa Trail In August 2019, my wife Jenny died a year after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. You would think that after running the entire North Island in 34 days, I would have a little bit of confidence going into the South Island right? There were plenty of rest days – 29 to be exact, with 12 on the North island and 17 on the South island. The trail is a mix of tracks, including wilderness tracks, paths through paddocks, beaches, roads, and highways, as well as a section which is a river and must be kayaked. Most people hike Te Araroa from north to south, starting in Northland between September and December. The straight-line distance from Cape Reinga to Bluff is 1,475 km (917 mi) , but the Te Araroa stretches roughly 3,000 km (1,864 mi), varying in distance when sections are upgraded or otherwise changed. We were on track. Bliss. 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