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"It doesn't even feel like I'm wearing a pack!"
Thinking about hiking the length of New Zealand? Around 2000 people walk Te Araroa every year. Here you will find all you need to know before starting your journey along Te Araroa, which translates to "The Long Pathway".
It takes between three and six months to hike the entire Te Araroa from the northern tip of the North Island to the Southern end of the South Island.
How long it takes you will depend on your level of fitness, the weather and any other unexpected events that could happen!
If you don't have enough time ahead of you, you can choose to only walk along one island. You can also only walk one or several sections of Te Araroa. Some people take several years to complete the entire Te Araroa as they only walk one section at a time.
Te Araroa officially starts at Cape Reinga, at the Northern extremity of the North Island. However, some people decide to start where it officially finishes, in Bluff. If you're walking from Cape Reinga to Bluff, you are called a SOBO walker, for South Bound. NOBO walker, for North Bound, walk it the other way around.
The place you start depends on the season in which you begin your thru-hike. If you start early Spring, you may be better off starting up North as the South Island is still quite cold, and snow may be present. On the other end, if you start later in Summer, it may be better to start in Bluff so you will have warmer weather in Autumn when you reach the North Island.
Besides the weather, you need to take into account that some tracks may close for lambing between October and November.
The highest point on Te Araroa is Stag Saddle at 1925m of elevation. It is in the South Island, in the Two Thumbs range, so your legs should get a bit of training before reaching this point. You will cross a few other high passes while hiking the length of New Zealand.
Another famous one is Waiau Pass, which is 1870m high. Care must be taken when crossing these passes as snow can be present all year round!
While hiking Te Araroa, you can sleep in huts, camp in designated areas or choose to free camp. Huts are shelters that usually include bunk beds and mattresses. Some are very basic and can only fit two people, while others are far more comfortable and can accommodate more than 30 people. While most of them work on a first-come, first-served basis, a few of them need to be booked in advance as they get very popular, especially over the Summer holiday season (December-January).
The Department of Conservation manages most of the huts along the trails. You will find information about their facilities on their website.
However, most TA walkers do carry a tent for several reasons. Huts may be full or they may be far apart from each other. Carrying a tent will give you more flexibility along the trail. It is also a safety item as you will have a shelter in case of emergency (injury, bad weather, high river levels...).
How much money you need to hike Te Araroa depends on each hiker.
First, consider the cost of hiking gear. A backpack, a tent, a sleeping bag, an inflatable mattress, and hiking shoes or boots are the most essential items on the bill. If you decide to wear hiking shoes rather than hiking boots, you will likely need a few pairs along the way. Some hikers use up to four or five pairs during their five-month hike.
Transport can be another significant expense. If you are coming from outside New Zealand, you will need to factor in the cost of the plane ticket. Once in New Zealand, you may need to pay for buses and shuttles to go to or from the trailhead.
Then, food will also be very dependent on each hiker. You will need to account for the food you consume on the trails and the food you eat while off the trails. Keep in mind that you will likely consume more food than you're used to, as your body will require more energy to complete a thru-hike.
The last big expense will be the accommodation. You first need to purchase a Te Araroa Pass. This pass gives you access to all the huts and campsites along the way. However, when you resupply and go off the trails, the pass won't be valid, and you will have to find your accommodation. Depending on the town or city, you can find camping, backpackers or hotels. This will also add to your total budget.
The Te Araroa Pass is a bundled package that costs $1350 for international walkers and $250 for New Zealand residents. It includes:
In total, estimates from other hikers vary from NZD$6000 to NZD$16000. There is very detailed budget information on the Te Araroa Trail - Northbound Guide website that could help you estimate your budget.
Te Araroa is a difficult trail. It requires a good level of fitness and some experience in the backcountry. River crossing and navigation skills are essential skills to have to safely hike the length of New Zealand.
The quality of trails varies all along, but you can expect roads, sand, mud, roots, rocks, etc. Some sections are also exposed, so confident footing is important.
The weather is another factor that can make the trail even more challenging. Even in the middle of summer, you can expect snow. While sudden storms can happen anytime in the mountains. If it rains a lot, river levels can rise quickly, making them impassable.
Keep in mind that a lot of the rivers along the trails are unbridged. You will need to use your skills and judgement to best cross (or choose not to cross) certain rivers. Waiting for river levels to decrease can save you time in the long run. And think about doing a river crossing course before you start the trail can help too.
The best sections on Te Araroa are the Richmond Range and the Nelson Lakes National Park. They are often cited as hikers' favourites! The Richmond section takes around 9 days and includes a lot of stunning ridge walking - good weather required! The Nelson Lakes include the famous Waiau Pass and Blue Lake, the lake with the clearest water in the world.
In the North Island, the Tararuas range and the Northland coastline are other very popular sections.
The best pack to hike Te Araroa needs to fit all your gear and you! Most hikers will have a pack that is around 40L to 50L. An Aarn Pack will be ideal for the trail. It will reduce the pressure put on your body, reducing the risk of injury you could experience on such a long trail. The Mountain Magic 50 PRO is a Te Araroa favourite thanks to its lightweight design and included front balance pockets for easy access to essentials. The Featherlite Freedom would be a good alternative if you need more capacity.
Whatever pack you choose, you will need to go for trial overnight hikes before. It's a good way to get used to your pack and the rest of your gear, and also to ensure that your pack is correctly fitted.
You can find more information on the official Te Araroa website. You can also read Mickey and Michelle story, they walked the TA in 2019 and 2023.