Hike New Zealand’s Epic Te Araroa Trail

An adventure of a lifetime from the top to the bottom of New Zealand.

Hiking Moderate, Difficult

Also in Canterbury, New Zealand • Marlborough District, New Zealand • Waikato, New Zealand

Description

Te Araroa means “the long path,” and it's a fitting name! Spanning the length of the whole country, this magnificent long-distance tramping trail is over 3000km long and takes around four months to complete. Beginning at Cape Reinga, the northwesternmost tip on the Aupouri Peninsula, the Te Araroa snakes all the way down the eastern side of the North Island. It then continues on across the South Island’s Southern Alps, right to Bluff on the southern peninsula.

There is no better way to experience the immense biodiversity of New Zealand. The trail takes you from windswept coastal paths and volcanoes on the North Island to thriving national parks and rocky mountain passes on the South. The majority of the country, especially the South Island, is a sheer, unspoilt wilderness. So if the thought of not seeing another soul for days as you tramp through epic vistas is enticing rather than frightening to you, then you should definitely put this trail on your bucket list.

But as many of us don't have four solid months to disappear into the wilderness, we have created a guidebook of some of the most popular single and multi-day hikes on the Te Araroa.

For jagged coastlines and empty sandy beaches, try the Queen Charlotte Track. But if you prefer to have the drama of steamy volcanoes and bubbling hot springs, then go for the classic Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Watch this video to get a taste of what’s in store along the Te Araroa.

Sources https://www.teararoa.org.nz/ https://www.newzealand.com/us/feature/te-araroa-trail/