Te Araroa Trail

Information

Distance

3000.0 km

Duration

70–180 days

Max elevation

1,925 m

Country

New Zealand (NZ)

Difficulty

Variable (easy to strenuous) — some remote mountain sections require navigation experience and robust physical condition

Best Season

October–April (Southern Hemisphere summer)

Permits & Fees

Generally no permit required; a day pass is required on part of the Queen Charlotte Track; a voluntary donation of NZD 750 per person (full thru-hike) to the Te Araroa Trust is strongly encouraged

Description

Te Araroa (The Long Pathway) is a ~3,000 km long-distance walking trail running the full length of New Zealand's two main islands, from Cape Reinga at the far northern tip of the North Island to Bluff at the southern tip of the South Island — making it one of the world's longest thru-hikes. Officially opened in 2011 by the Te Araroa Trust, the trail links over 130 route segments spanning New Zealand's diverse landscapes: Northland's Ninety Mile Beach and ancient kauri forests, the Whanganui River Journey, Tongariro's volcanic plateau, the rugged Tararua Ranges, Canterbury's high saddles, and the glaciated Southern Alps. The highest point is Stag Saddle at 1,925 m in the Canterbury high country. A full thru-hike typically takes three to six months; the 2023/24 season saw over 2,300 hikers complete the full route.

Trail Highlights

Cape Reinga (the northern tip of New Zealand), Ninety Mile Beach, ancient kauri forests, the Whanganui River Journey, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the Tararua Ranges, the Queen Charlotte Track, the Southern Alps, the Mackenzie Valley (views of Aoraki/Mt Cook), Fiordland, and Bluff