Te Araroa: One Man Walks His Dream by Geoff Chapple. Credit to PMags for the original Quick and Dirty Guides. While the weather tends to stabilize a bit in January and a February, it can snow in the mountains any time of year. Free WiFi is available at many libraries, i-SITEs, McDonalds, Subways, and Burger Kings. 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. TA Wiki has resupply plans and other useful documents, but it isn’t necessary up-to-date. Resupply is very easy on the TA. There are many notable waterways. You will most likely have to wait out at least one storm somewhere along your journey. Additionally, some thru-hikers take side trips along the way to see sights (e.g., Hobbiton, Mt Taranaki, Milford Sound) or hike some of the Great Walks near the route of the TA (e.g., Abel Tasman, Kepler). Te Araroa - The Trail App provides useful information to guide thru hikers along the Te Araroa trail. There is a huge amount of information available on the trail, provided by the Te Araroa Trust including plenty of Te Araroa maps, trail notes and up to date information on any hazards, diversions and trail conditions. Cost can vary significantly depending on a variety of factors. Tramping the full length of the trail generally takes three to six months. Tramping up New Zealand has an excellent cost overview and I broke down my expenses as well. The main source for trail information is the TA Trust, which publishes and maintains a mapset and notes for each section of the trail. ... You can earn a 8% commission by selling A Walking Guide to New Zealand's Long Trail: Te Araroa on your website. Use either of the tide apps listed above, or. KM 397-398 | Whangarei Bay – You need a boat to cross this bay. Many people pick and choose parts of the North Island, skipping connecting road walks and some of the less scenic forest/farm sections. They can’t bite you so long as you’re moving, but as soon as you stop they’ll descend on your ankles and legs. Users will be able to view official trail notes, maps, elevation, user comments, campsites, huts, and offline topo maps without cell phone coverage. Great Walks require separate hut/campsite reservations in advance—sometimes up to a year. Those familiar with the Guthook App used on most major US trails and some internationally, it is from the same creators. The book maps the 3000-kilometre trail in 40-kilometre sections, with maps by leading map maker Roger Smith of Geographx. The TA Trust even says that some sections are not passable on foot. Here is the link for Americans interested in a Working Holiday Visa. A Note on Navigation In the descriptions below, I have annotated NZ Topo250’s to depict the TA and each alternate. One important note: In some places the Te Araroa Trust has negotiated easements over private property with the condition that camping is not permitted. This title is also available as a paper edition.This page is for the PDF edition.. Tour Aotearoa Official Guide gives you the practical information you’ll need as you ride the 3000 kilometre Tour Aotearoa route from Cape Reinga to Bluff.. For those keen to ride the length of New Zealand, this functional guide describes the 3000 kilometre Tour Aotearoa route from Cape Reinga to Bluff. That said, you still need to practice good food storage, as rodents and possums are prevalent. We want you to have a safe hike so it's important for you to understand this app is not a safety tool. If you have hiked a long trail in the US, expect Te Araroa to be slightly more expensive. KM 253-264 | Waikare Inlet – A large inlet where hikers can take a ferry (in Opua), rent kayaks (in Paihia), or deviate from the official trail and walk/hitch around. ... and how to plan a Te Araroa journey. Here is an introductory guide for anyone planning to hike New Zealand’s Te Araroa, particularly Americans or those familiar with US long distance trails. Most of these alternates deviate far enough that they will not completely appear on the Te Araroa Trust’s map set. 0. The TA Trust lists. From ocean beaches to deep forests, the trail is perfect for thru-hiking, backpacking, section-hiking, and day-hiking. Cost can vary significantly depending on a variety of factors. Your Name by Random House New Zealand. Freedom camping is permitted on DOC land, which comprises a majority of the trail. This is the guidebook of Te Araroa Trail: The Long Pathway, a continuous trail running from Cape Reinga to Bluff, 35 years in the making, which officially opened in late 2011. Note that New Zealand has a large tourist economy and most locals are very friendly, but bad behavior gives hikers a bad name. He owns the property on the far side and runs a hiker camp where you can stay for cheap as well. There are also year-specific groups for thru-hikers. Te Araroa is truly an experience of all aspects of New Zealand – historic, cultural, and natural. New Zealand gets a lot of precipitation, and rivers rise rapidly. KM 366-369 | Taiharuru Estuary Route – A wide estuary best crossed at low tide. It is becoming increasingly … As far as I am aware, there is no town guide (a la AWOL’s or Yogi’s). There are also many sections of beach with low and high tide alternates. You'll need to get real maps and more in-depth advice to actually do the trail. Let us help! As far as I am aware, there is no town guide (a la AWOL’s or Yogi’s). Australian and UK Citizens can visit New Zealand for 6 months visa-free. Maps and Rescue Written by: McKenzie Barney. Many are located right along the trail and can be stayed at for $20 NZD or less. 1,860 mi (3,000 km) $39.99 full guide 4 sections ($12.99 each) Explore Our Te Araroa Guide. Was an ok introduction and background to the track, not particularly inspirational (maybe I've spent too long in recreation-based marketing). Te Araroa is New Zealand’s premier long-distance hiking trail, stretching 3000 km (1860 mi) across the country’s two main islands. A tiny brook one day can turn into a raging rapid the next. On the North Island, towns (and thus accommodations) are plentiful, but you will still find yourself needing to freedom camp. The official guide to New Zealand's greatest walk. Book former on Airbnb. One other noticeable difference in trail culture between US trails and the TA is gear. You will wake up in the morning to the loudest bird calls you’ve ever heard—natural selection has never told NZ birds to shut up! I like to pore over maps so I was a little frustrated at the google earth type of projection and very basic instruction. Freedom camping is permitted on DOC land, which comprises a majority of the trail. The post office will hold it for up to one week for free, then charge a small fee for each subsequent week. Unless you have a specific diet or swear by mailing food boxes, there really isn’t a need to do so on the North Island. While these applications are incredibly useful and convenient, they do not replace navigational skills. Regardless, weather in New Zealand is unpredictable and it can storm for days. This is the guidebook of Te Araroa Trail: The Long Pathway, a continuous trail running from Cape Reinga to Bluff, 35 years in the making, which officially opened in late 2011. This is a complete resupply guide for hiking the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand in 2020-2021. A travel book of vivid encounters with the New Zealand's people and landscape along its famous long trail. He was the founding CEO of the Te Araroa Trust. That said, the TA is still great for ultralight backpacking. 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. Trail Journals has dozens of accounts of thru-hikes. North is more populated, while South is more remote. Every walker, or “tramper,” he brought in on preliminary discussions lit up at the possibility. Also frustrating that the trail it. The trail is relatively new and still contains numerous road sections. The principal guidebook to the Te Araroa is A Walking Guide to New Zealand’s Long Trail: Te Araroa. Freedom camping, wild camping, dispersed camping, or backcountry camping, it’s all the same. Unless you’re carrying a packraft, do not try to cross. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand. KM 565-566 | Okura Estuary – Another estuary route that. The book maps the 3000-kilometre trail in 40km sections, with maps by leading map maker Roger Smith of Geographx. For more information, check out the, New Zealand’s postal service equivalent of the US’s “general delivery” is called, A full list of post offices near or along the trail can be found. Most thru-hikes take longer than three months, so a visa is usually necessary. Geoff Chapple is an accomplished writer, journalist and committed trail-blazer. Download our guide to access the TA map, tracks, waypoints, and comments! Here is an overview of some common alternates and side trips to consider. You can send a package ahead to a specific post office using the following structure: This is a guide for people wanting to through-hike the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand going from south to north. Pace varies on the TA. ~50% single track, 30% roads, 15% beaches, 5% rivers. Basically, setting your shelter up on a non-established spot of public land. Books online: A Walking Guide to New Zealand's Long Trail: Te Araroa, 2011, Fishpond.co.nz. They are transitioning to the new name of Atlas Guides, but it looks identical. A Te Araroa subreddit exists yet is relatively quiet. It provides an overview description of the trail and can be useful in the planning stage. Some hikers go hut-to-hut on the South Island, but you will still have situations where there are no huts or the hut is full. Many TA trampers will take alternates, bike road sections, and/or hitch around sections. It also details which Post Offices will receive Bounce […] Also frustrating that the trail itself seems to be either incomplete or disconnected in areas although I'm glad to find out via this book that the "track" actually includes walking on farms and roads and through towns so I am no longer in a big hurry to do it. A whole culture and landscape is contained within this captivating excursion guide/memoir. This is the guidebook of Te Araroa Trail: The Long Pathway, a continuous trail running from Cape Reinga to Bluff, 35 years in the making, which will officially open in late 2011. It would be a useful guide for any summer multiday tramping/hiking. Typical weather is warm, sunny days with moderate nights. Users will be able to view official trail notes, maps, elevation, user comments, campsites, huts, and offline topo maps without cell phone coverage. Walk it all, walk it in your lifetime, walk New Zealand - walk Te Araroa! ... A Guide to Planning a Te Araroa Journey . The South Island goes through tussocky valleys and above tree line. Both spots have convenience stores (expensive!) This area is subject to flash floods, so you should check the weather before entering. KM 179-185 | Mangapukahukahu Stream – The first and longest river walk. This is a guide for people wanting to through-hike the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand going from south to north. There are two popular visa options: the Visitor Visa and the Working Holiday Visa. They range from small bivvies with a couple bunks to large 30+ person lodges. Because of the unpredictability of the weather, packing an extras day’s food is commonplace. Most hikers seem to rely on Smartphone Apps. Resupply is very easy on the TA. If you plan to spend time in camp, make sure you bring clothing to cover yourself. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. According to the TA Trust, it’s 61.5km to circumnavigate by road, which most people hitchhike. The Trail passes directly through numerous cities and towns, particularly on the more populated North Island. The North Island is characterized by beach walks, farm roads, and thick bush forest hiking. Marked by an assortment of TA signs and orange triangles. When journalist Geoff Chapple wrote a newspaper article that set out a vision for a 2600-km hiking trail the length of New Zealand, he never imagined that he would become the trail blazer. Some hikers go hut-to-hut on the South Island, but you will still have situations where there are no huts or the hut is full. On average, you can resupply every 2-3 days on the North Island, and every 4-5 days on the South Island. Also, there are large swaths of land, particularly on the South Island where there are no trees. Take in spectacular New Zealand landscapes from beaches to volcanoes to forests to cities. This is the guidebook of Te Araroa Trail: The Long Pathway, a continuous trail running from Cape Reinga to Bluff, 35 years in the making, which will officially open in late 2011. You may also want to check out my planning page for Te Araroa trail. Chapple is the reason Te Araroa exists, and this story of his pioneering efforts should be mandatory reading. Many locals do not know about the TA, and don’t expect those that do to treat you as a celebrity. The trail is new, and relies largely upon the generosity of good kiwi families to work. The Trail passes directly through numerous cities and towns, particularly on the more populated North Island. Great Walks require separate hut/campsite reservations in advance—sometimes up to a year. Imagine the cross between a trailer park and a campground. Often impassable but it can be safely crossed in low flow. We want you to have a safe hike so it's important for you to understand this app is not a safety tool. October to April represents the traditional hiking season. Te Araroa Trust is the first place to look. These notes provide a description for each section, navigational caution, time estimates, and other useful tidbits. If your phone is unlocked (check with your cell provider before flying), you can get a SIM card and basic plan set up quite easily. Some have grills where you can get a hot meal. They all sell convenience store snacks (potato chips, candy, soda) and can get you by in a pinch. The majority of thru-hikers go southbound (SOBO), trying to optimize the weather window. Sep 19, 2017 by MSR Team Trip Reports. The Te Araroa is one of the world’s newest long-distance hiking trails, opening on December 3rd, 2011 and takes on average a whopping four to six months to walk in its entirety. Many TA trampers will take alternates, bike road sections, and/or hitch around sections. Along its meandering route, the TA crosses through native bush forests, rural farmland, stunning alpine vistas, and even Auckland’s city center. Jerusalem Convent / Backpackers – Whanganui River Rd, Jerusalem, 06 342 8190. The biggest nuisance in NZ are the sand flies, or midges. While hiking all of the trail is rewarding, this is one way to get the best bang for your buck (and time). You will wake up in the morning to the loudest bird calls you’ve ever heard—natural selection has never told NZ birds to shut up! A local named James (021-0242-1632) will ferry you across for a nominal price as long as you call a couple hours in advance. I won’t talk about gear selection here, but know that lightweight or ultralight backpacking is not as common in New Zealand as it is in the States. There are no large predators in New Zealand. Chapple is the founding father of Te Araroa and was the first person to walk the route officially. It provides an overview description of the trail and can be useful in the planning stage. Most other nationalities can visit for up to three months without a visa. The 1,864-mile trek spans the length of New Zealand's two main islands, starting at the northernmost tip … No boat needed, the trail is literally the river. Beside maps and trail notices, they also have a lengthy Q&A, testimonials, and other information. They all sell convenience store snacks (potato chips, candy, soda) and can get you by in a pinch. The biggest weather-related concerns are water crossings and the sun. While on the topic of phones, there are two main cell providers in NZ: Also, WiFi: WiFi is abundant in most towns. A whole culture and landscape is contained within this captivating excursion guide/memoir. Te Araroa - The Trail App provides useful information to guide thru hikers along the Te Araroa trail. Fishpond New Zealand, A Walking Guide to New Zealand's Long Trail: Te Araroa by Geoff ChappleBuy . Many of the campsites along this river have to be booked. New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, so its summer stretches from December to February. Up to 10 a year walk the trail, using roads as by-passes where necessary. The link is to a free, Trust-provided PDF of Chapple’s story. The North Island is tropical, while the South Island is temperate. The TA Trust even says that some sections are not passable on foot, Here is an overview of some common alternates and side trips to consider, Learn about river crossing techniques beforehand, written about the logistical problems TA hikers face, a page with up-to-date information about trail conditions and closures, New Zealand has passed laws restricting freedom camping, The Invercargill City Council offers a medallion to all thru-hikers at the completion of their hike, One Step at a Time: From Cape Reinga to Bluff, Te Araroa: Walking New Zealand’s 3,000-kilometre trail, Section 35: Reserva Nacional Lago Jeinimeni, The TA Trust’s GPX file can be imported into other navigation apps like, New World – Can be large or small, typically a little more expensive. Trail culture is less established. If you are only hiking the South Island, I recommend you hike northbound (NOBO) to save the most strenuous (and possibly spectacular) sections for last. The Visitor Visa allows you to stay for up to 9 months. It’s not uncommon to have to wait for the river level to drop. No bears, mountain lions, or alligators to worry about. If you like Chapple and history, here’s the story of an even earlier hike. Forum The principal guidebook to the Te Araroa is, A Walking Guide to New Zealand’s Long Trail: Te Araroa. If you want a great book that will not only be an excellent planning resource but also a great history of TA, New Zealand, the land, and the people, consider getting Geoff Chapple's guide book. Or do less running … Here is a map. There is gap in the ozone layer. In 2011, One important note: In some places the Te Araroa Trust has negotiated easements over private property. He admits later that when he initiated the project, he had little idea of what he was getting into. A Lord of the Rings Guide to the Te Araroa. Te Araroa means “the long path,” and so it is. Most road walking is on the North Island. Is 3000km (1860 miles) long (Note: New Zealand uses the metric system like every other country except for the US, Liberia, and Myanmar. For people ages 18-30 (35 in some countries), the Working Holiday Visa allows you to stay for up to 12 months and legally work while in country. Get used to converting miles to kilometers, pounds to kilograms, and Fahrenheit to Celsius). It would be a useful guide for any summer multiday tramping/hiking. Be the first to ask a question about Te Araroa. Bill Gates, tech pioneer, co-founder of Microsoft, and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is an avid reader who people follow... A travel book of vivid encounters with the New Zealand's people and landscape along its famous long trail. 100 Days Walking Te Araroa by GJ Coop, One Step at a Time: From Cape Reinga to Bluff by Shalane Hopkins, Te Araroa: Walking New Zealand’s 3,000-kilometre trail by Mark Watson. 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