Read about my South Island experience, including the Richmond Ranges, Nelson Lakes and those finish line feels! Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests. This trek is unlike the popular national scenic trails of North America and the gear needed (and available brands) will differ somewhat. Then it returns back to the coast via suburban footpaths. These range from ‘fingers’ on street signs to Te Araroa Labels with arrows to just the Te Araroa style arrow. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet. Mine was a gloriously leisurely thru hike and below is my Te Araroa Trail itinerary. The quality of the scenery is generally up there, plenty varied. Te Araroa in Canterbury is about the mighty Southern Alps. Traditional tour companies may charge thousands of dollars for a two week tour in Te Araroa Trail (South Island). Te Araroa (The Long Pathway) is New Zealand's long distance tramping route, stretching circa 3,000 kilometres (1,900 mi) along the length of the country's two main islands from Cape Reinga to Bluff.It is made up of a mixture of older tracks and walkways, new tracks, and link sections alongside roads. At all times make sure you know where you are on the map.The Te Araroa trail markers are used on the tracks where the track is not on DOC land and the trail has been established by the Te Araroa trust. Created with sketchtool. Our lodge, built at the turn of the century, is accessible only by boat. Te Araroa Trail Itinerary. They still have 60 km to go as the crow flies though. South Island Te Araroa Trail In August 2019, my wife Jenny died a year after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Use the AA's Time and Distance Calculator to find the most efficient route. The trail travels from Cape Reinga on the North Island to Bluff on the South Island, passing through 9 distinct regions on its way. In recent years, fast hikers have completed the trail in 100 days. Māori in the area … They still have 60 km to go as the crow flies though. It starts on a historic crossing of the Main Divide via the Harper Pass Track. (What the Trip is Like) REQUEST CATALOG ENEWS CONTACT US 1-800-368-2794 In general, the summer tramping season in New Zealand starts in late October and it's advised, if heading southbound (SOBO), to leave Cape Reinga before January and aim to reach Bluff before the end of April. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet. The North Island route is just over 1,600 km long, and the South Island just under 1,400 km. And there is further ground to walk once they finally meet the ocean at Colac Bay. From the open tops high above the Telford Burn Te Araroa through-trampers get their first glimpse towards the south coast. It is situated 175 km north of Gisborne city, along State Highway 35 between Tokata and Awatere. Our route largely follows the spine of the Southern Alps, crossing skyline ridges to alpine lakes and through native forests, farmlands, and tussock country. The trail is best tackled north to south, beginning from the top of the North Island at Cape Reinga in late spring. Southland trail notes, including information about accommodation, transport and resupplying. Read about my South Island experience, including the Richmond Ranges, Nelson Lakes and … The 1,864-mile trek spans the length of New Zealand's two main islands, starting at the northernmost tip at Cape Reinga, and ending in the deep south… Finally, I came back to hike the Richmond Ranges in December 2018. I’ll narrow it down for you. Stephanie & I hiked New Zealand’s Te Araroa, South Island only, southbound, Nov. 30, 2014, – Jan. 10, 2015. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. The North Island route is just over 1,600 km long, and the South Island just under 1,400 km. 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. . From January to March 2017 I walked the South Island part of Te Araroa, New Zealand’s walking trail from Ship Cove to Bluff. 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. Discover remote villages, magical kauri forests, breathtaking volcanic scenery and bustling cities on New Zealand’s Te Araroa trail. Sign me up to receive your Enewsletter, announcing new adventures and special offers. 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. We recommend checking this page regularly before and during your journey as route alterations may have arisen since planning your journey. With a ferry into the heart of the business district, Te Araroa leaves the Pacific Ocean and heads across the isthmus to the Manukau Harbour. My full Te Araroa Trail experience on and off trail totalled 146 amazing days. My full Te Araroa Trailexperience on and off trail totalled 146 amazing days. 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. Discover remote villages, magical kauri forests, breathtaking volcanic scenery and bustling cities on New Zealand’s Te Araroa trail. 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. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures. The Te Araroa website is a great resource with many links. Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. It is an incredible gesture and quite a lot of work. Please register your trail usage before embarking on your journey. New Zealand’s long-distance hiking trail, the Te Araroa, connects the North Island and South Island by way of spectacular parks and reserves. 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. Find a Trail Angel on Te Araroa – New Zealand’s Trail. The Te Araroa Trust suggests 50-80 days per island. A 22km, mostly unsealed, no-exit road from Te Araroa takes you to the most Easterly point on mainland New Zealand. The trail is best tackled north to south, beginning from the top of the North Island at Cape Reinga in late spring. Te Araroa (The Long Pathway) is New Zealand's long distance tramping route, stretching circa 3,000 kilometres (1,900 mi) along the length of the country's two main islands from Cape Reinga to Bluff.It is made up of a mixture of older tracks and walkways, new tracks, and link sections alongside roads. New Zealand’s Te Araroa Trail is the world’s newest long-distance thru-hike. When it enters north Auckland the trail leaves glorious white sandy beaches and ventures inland for a taste of the semi-rural. 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. 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. Written by: McKenzie Barney. At an average of 25 kms a day, the trail takes 120 days to walk – four months. 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. This area is a fine introduction to the richness of New Zealand’s lush native forest. Te Araroa is a town in the Gisborne Region of the North Island of New Zealand. It’s a walking track about 3,000 km long from Bluff at the southern tip of the South Island to Cape Reinga at the top of the North Island that was officially opened in 2011. The trail is best tackled north to south, beginning from the top of the North Island at Cape Reinga in late spring. Here are my top-tips for planning the hike. The Te Araroa Trust does an amazing job of offering these on their site to be downloaded FOR FREE! The Te Araroa Trust suggests 50-80 days per island. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking. New Zealand’s Te Araroa Trail is the world’s newest long-distance thru-hike. In Nov 2019, I ran the Te Araroa Trail, from Cape Reinga to Bluff in New Zealand. From the open tops high above the Telford Burn Te Araroa through-trampers get their first glimpse towards the south coast. Trail Maps, Tracks, & Notes are intended to be updated in September each year. This 3000.0 km route stretches from Cape Reinga in the North Island to Bluff, located on the tip of the South Island. And there is further ground to walk once they finally meet the ocean at Colac Bay. They will, most likely, avoid snow and snowmelt and the Southland lambing closures. The 3000km route stretches from Cape Reinga in the north of New Zealand to Bluff in the south. 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. This 3000.0 km route stretches from Cape Reinga in the North Island to Bluff, located on the tip of the South Island. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The North Island route is just over 1,600 km long, and the South Island just under 1,400 km. Te Araroa Website. 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. Depart via Queenstown on Day 14. It is a pathway stretching more than 3,000 kilometers (nearly 2,000 miles) from Cape Reigna at the top of the North Island to Bluff at the bottom of the South Island. All the same you obviously need to take a tent. The route was officially called Te Araroa Trail and opened in 2011 by the Governor-General of New Zealand, Sir Jerry Mateparae. And there is further ground to walk once they finally meet the ocean at Colac Bay. Created with sketchtool. (What the Trip is Like) REQUEST CATALOG ENEWS CONTACT US 1-800-368-2794 You pass from grassy cattle flats and beech forest on the east to rugged rivers on the west. In Nov 2019, I ran the Te Araroa Trail, from Cape Reinga to Bluff in New Zealand. Te Araroa continues along the coast to Riverton, then to Invercargill. 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. Over 3000km from where it started at Cape Reinga in the north. One of the world’s truly great long walks. Te Araroa (TA) stretches 3,000km (1,850mi) from north to south across New Zealand (NZ). Planning a New Zealand road trip? Te Araroa is the birthplace of noted Māori politician Sir Āpirana Ngata. Te Araroa means “The Long Path” and so it is. I have some comments on the Ultimate Direction blog, but this is more of a trip report with information that might be helpful for people planning something similar. Te Araroa continues along the coast to Riverton, then to Invercargill. In the north huts are way more common than found in the North Island section. In recent years, fast hikers have completed the trail in 100 days. 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. (Prices & Dates) REQUEST CATALOG ENEWS CONTACT US 1-800-368-2794 Te Araroa. New Zealand's Te Araroa: The North Island, Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as. There’s plenty of huts on the South Island section of Te Araroa. This is a guide for people wanting to through-hike the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand going from south to north. From the open tops high above the Telford Burn Te Araroa through-trampers get their first glimpse towards the south coast. T-12 months: persuade your work to … GAFFL can potentially save you 70-90% tour costs in Te Araroa Trail (South Island). 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 … This long route goes from North to South and gives you, excited hikers, a ve Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category. At Wilderness Travel we never rent or sell our mailing list. Having thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, I figured Te Araroa … Like the Appalachian Trail in the U.S., the Camino de Santiago in Spain, or the Great Himalayan Trail in Nepal, New Zealand's Te Araroa is more than just a hike. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Overall this deviation was small—about a mile per day. Support the trust today so that you can enjoy the trail tomorrow, either one day at a time, or all 3000km! 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. It’s the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand or, more appropriately, just Te Araroa, meaning “the Long Pathway in the native Maori language. Te Araroa is New Zealand’s premier long-distance hiking trail, stretching 3000 km (1860 mi) across the country’s two main islands. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. 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. Tramping the full length of the trail generally takes three to six months. 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. Te Araroa in Southland has the smell of salty Foveaux Strait in the air. Every dollar makes a difference. The map I'm putting together for my Te Araroa hike in early 2018 At the moment Te Araroa can only supply northbound trail notes for the South Island. Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss. This guide assumes a good level of familiarity with New Zealand tramping and conditions. The historic East Cape lighthouse stands 154 metres above sea level and is accessed by a walking track of some 700 steps - worth it for the views at the top. At an average of 25 kms a day, the trail takes 120 days to walk – four months. Traditional tour companies may charge thousands of dollars for a two week tour in Te Araroa Trail (South Island). They still have 60 km to go as the crow flies though. Te Araroa's southern routes are full of diversity and beauty. With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. At an average of 25 kms a day, the trail takes 120 days to walk – four months. There were plenty of rest days – 29 to be exact, with 12 on the North island and 17 on the South island. New Zealand’s long-distance hiking trail, the Te Araroa, connects the North Island and South Island by way of spectacular parks and reserves. Te Araroa is NZ's walk of a lifetime. The spectacular Mavora lakes, the eerie Takitimu Forest and the windswept coast. She was in reasonable health for most of her illness and we travelled when her treatment allowed. 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. What is the Te Araroa Trail? In general, the summer tramping season in New Zealand starts in late October and it's advised, if heading southbound (SOBO), to leave Cape Reinga before January and aim to reach Bluff before the end of April. Te Araroa means “The Long Path” and so it is. (Prices & Dates) REQUEST CATALOG ENEWS CONTACT US 1-800-368-2794 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. Even the 1309 km of the South Island part that this website concentrates on. Tramping the full length of the trail generally takes three to six months. 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 started the trail on 14th October 2017 and finished on 02nd March 2018. I took rest days for rest, injury, fu… Te Araroa means “The Long Path” and so it is. Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. 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. This website is a resource for trampers to find help along Te Araroa … See our Privacy Policy for further details. Written by: McKenzie Barney. Mine was a gloriously leisurely thru hike and below is my Te Araroa Trail itinerary. Here we’ll hike skyline ridges with incredible views across Marlborough Sounds’ secluded bays, islands, coves, and sheltered waterways. GAFFL can potentially save you 70-90% tour costs in Te Araroa Trail (South Island). 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