Te Araroa Voyage Tips and guide

Te Araroa, meaning “The Long Pathway” in Māori, is New Zealand’s premier long-distance walking trail, stretching approximately 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) from Cape Reinga in the far north to Bluff at the southern tip of the South Island. Opened in 2011, the trail offers an unforgettable journey through diverse landscapes.

Hiking the entire trail typically takes four to six months, requiring careful planning and self-sufficiency, though shorter segments can be explored individually. Te Araroa provides hikers with an unparalleled opportunity to experience New Zealand’s dramatic beauty, its unique wildlife, vibrant Māori culture, and warm hospitality in both rural and urban communities.

Travelers undertaking the Te Araroa Trail should be physically prepared and self-reliant, as sections of the route can be challenging, remote, and exposed to rapid changes in weather. For more information, see Tramping in New Zealand. Respecting the principles of Leave No Trace and local cultural customs ensures the sustainability and enjoyment of this remarkable pathway for generations to come.

Thru-hikers must be entirely self-sufficient. You must carry everything in a backpack; there are no luggage transport services or paved sections suitable for carts, baby carriages, or wheelchairs. Before setting off, hikers should register with the Te Araroa Trust and purchase a Department of Conservation (DOC) Backcountry Hut Pass.

Special equipment is vital for survival. You should carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) because cell service is non-existent in the mountains. Trail conditions vary from sandy beaches and deep mud to technical alpine scree slopes, so high-quality, lightweight gear is the only way to ensure success over the four to five months required for the trip.

The trail alternates between remote wilderness and small rural settlements. In the backcountry, you must carry all your food and a camping stove, as huts do not provide cooking fuel or facilities beyond a basic bench and sink. Most hikers resupply at supermarkets every few days when the trail passes through towns. In the most isolated stretches, particularly in the South Island, you may need to carry up to ten days of food at once.

Potable water is available in towns, but in the wild, you will source water from rain-collection tanks at huts or from mountain streams. While the water often looks pristine, it can carry Giardia or livestock runoff. You should always treat wild water using a hollow-fiber filter, UV purifier, or by boiling it. Carrying a capacity of two to three liters is usually sufficient, though some coastal and ridgeline sections require carrying more to bridge long gaps between sources.

Accommodation is a mix of backcountry huts and tent camping. The South Island features a famous network of DOC huts with bunk mattresses, but you must provide your own sleeping bag and liners. In the North Island, you will more frequently use commercial holiday parks or your own tent. A high-quality, waterproof tent is mandatory because huts can be full or unavailable. Wild camping is generally permitted on conservation land but is strictly forbidden on the private farmland sections of the trail.

New Zealand’s weather is notoriously unpredictable and can change from intense sun to freezing rain in minutes. The trekking season runs from October to April to avoid the dangerous winter snows of the Southern Alps. High UV levels mean you will burn quickly without protection, while heavy rainfall can rapidly turn small streams into impassable rivers. You must carry warm thermal layers and professional-grade rain gear even in the height of summer.

Map of Te Araroa

• Long distance hikes of a similar caliber: Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail and Appalachian Trail