Before You Go
Te Araroa is a life-changing experience, both rewarding and challenging. There is no one way to walk Te Araroa. You can walk the whole trail in one go, complete each of the many sections over time, or just do a section you are ready for now. However you chose to walk, Te Araroa is your trail to enjoy.
The first thing to consider is whether you want to walk a little, or walk the lot!
Walking sections
Te Araroa is a tapestry of diverse landscapes, from sandy beaches to rugged mountain passes, challenging singletrack to peaceful farm tracks, and even urban streets. Each section offers a unique adventure, ensuring you’ll never tire of the scenery.
If you don’t have a few months to spare, or want to increase your hiking skills and improve your fitness first, you can ‘section walk’ Te Araroa. You can take as long as you like to complete the trail, if that is your goal, and you can walk the sections in any order you choose.
For many people, walking the trail over the course of several years or even decades becomes a fulfilling lifelong adventure. Choose the sections that ignite your imagination and prepare for a journey that will leave you in awe.
Walking the whole trail
Walking the whole trail is called ‘through-walking’. It is not for the faint-hearted, and many of the tracks require the skills of an experienced backcountry hiker. You’ll need at least a moderate level of fitness and to be comfortable with navigation and decision-making, river crossings and survival skills.
Your journey will take between 50 and 80 days per island, depending on how fast you walk, the weather and how long you choose to stop at places along the way. 50 days is quick and would need a high degree of fitness and some luck with the weather. 80 days is leisurely, giving leeway to walk slower and for shorter distances on most days. It would allow you to build fitness levels as you go, extend town stays, and allow greater margins for weather-related variables.
You’ll be passing through some of the most beautiful and fascinating places in Aotearoa, so we recommend taking your time, having a breather here and there and truly enjoying the experience.
Getting started
Before you set off, you will need to plan well and have a good understanding of what lies ahead.
When it comes to successfully walking Te Araroa, planning is everything! And we have some great resources available to help you plan your adventure. Check out our trail logistics page for everything you need to know about transfers, accommodation, supplies and other trail requirements.
And don’t forget to register.
Whether you plan to walk the whole trail, cover a single island or section walk, you need to register to walk Te Araroa. As a registered walker, you’ll have access to the most up to date information, support and benefits through our trail partners. You’ll receive a Te Araroa walker information pack and locally made merchandise exclusive to registered walkers.
As part of your registration, you will also be asked to make a donation. Te Araroa Trust relies heavily on donations from walkers to maintain and improve the trail. So, before you go, make sure to do your bit to help us care for the trail and make it even better for future generations.
New for the 2024/2025 season is The Trail Pass which provides an easy and cost effective way to pay for huts and campsites on the conservation estate, managed by The Department of Conservation (DOC). You can read more about The Trail Pass here.