Walking the entire length of Aotearoa is an adventure like no other: roughly 3,000 km, four to six months, and a journey most people finish changed.
Through-walking Te Araroa
Walking the full length is called through-walking. It is a chance to immerse yourself in the land, connect with its people and stories, and challenge yourself in ways both physical and personal. It is a bold undertaking, but for those who are ready it offers a journey of transformation, resilience and unforgettable beauty.
You will pass through some of the most beautiful and fascinating places in Aotearoa, so we recommend taking your time and soaking it all in. Most walkers take 50 to 80 days per island, depending on pace, weather and rest days.
When to start
The season is set by the weather at both ends. Most southbound walkers leave Cape Reinga between late October and early December, reaching the South Island alpine sections once the snow has gone and finishing at Bluff before winter. Northbound walkers start at Bluff around late November. Direction, timing and the alpine weather windows are covered in trail logistics.
Before you commit
A through-walk asks for river-crossing skill, navigation, and the judgement to turn back, so read walker safety properly rather than skimming it. Before you go covers gear, budget and resupply, and notes and maps has the trail notes you will walk by.
Every through-walker is asked to register and to read the trail pledge. Te Araroa crosses private land, conservation land and the rohe of many iwi, and it exists because people look after it.
The whole trail, section by section
Ninety-three sections make up Te Araroa, north to south. Thirty-eight are multi-day and the rest link them together, including twelve bypass routes around hazards, closures and river crossings. Bypasses are listed here because a through-walker may need them, but they are left off the day walks and multi-day pages, being detours rather than walks to choose.
93 of 93 sections
Northland 15
WarningCape Reinga to Ahipara
The Northland Forests
Puketi Forest (Bypass)
Mangakaretu to Kerikeri
Kerikeri to Waitangi
Paihia to Ōpua Coastal Walkway
Waikare Connection – by Water
Waikare Connection – by Road Bypass
Waikare to Ngunguru
Ngunguru River Bypass
Ngunguru to Pataua North
Pataua North to Whāngārei Heads
Bream Bay Walk
Cullen Brynderwyn Walkway
Bream Tail to Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway
Auckland 15
Mangawhai to Pākiri
Mt Tamahunga (Te Hīkoi O Te Kiri) Track
Govan Wilson to Puhoi Valley
Puhoi Track
Puhoi Track Bypass
Puhoi to Wenderholm Kayak
Puhoi to Wenderholm Road Bypass
Wenderholm to Stillwater
Okura to Long Bay – Low Tide crossing
North Shore Coastal Walk
Coast To Coast Walkway
Onehunga to Puhinui
Puhinui Stream Track
Botanic Gardens to Mangatāwhiri
Mangatāwhiri to Mercer
Waikato 13
Mercer to Rangiriri
Rangiriri to Huntly
Hakarimata Walkway
Ngāruawāhia to Hamilton – Te Awa (The River)
Hamilton City
Waipā Walk
Pirongia Traverse
Pirongia to Waitomo
Pehitawa Track
Te Kūiti to Pureora
Pureora Forest – The Timber Trail
42 Traverse
42 Traverse Track Bypass
Whanganui 7
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Tongariro Crater to Waimarino / National Park
Waimarino / National Park to Whanganui River
Whanganui River Whakahoro – Pipiriki Kayak Bypass
Whanganui River – via Whanganui River
Whanganui River Road Bypass
Whanganui to Bulls
Manawatū 3
Wellington 10
Tararua Ranges
Pukeatua Track
Kāpiti Coast
Escarpment Track
Ara Harakeke (Flax Pathway)
Rangituhi / Colonial Knob Walk
Ngaio
Wellington City
Wellington South
The Interislander Connection
Marlborough 4
Tasman 2
Canterbury 9
Lewis Pass Road Bypass
Boyle to Arthur's Pass
Arthur's Pass to Rakaia River
WarningRākaia River Hazard Zone Bypass
Rākaia River to Rangitata River
WarningRangitata River Hazard Zone Bypass
Two Thumb Track
Tekapo to Lake Ōhau
East Ahuriri Track
Otago 7
Southland 8
Mararoa River Track
Tākitimu Track
Birchwood to Merrivale
Longwood Forest Track
Long Hilly Track
Tīhaka Beach Track
Oreti Beach Track
