Ernie, A Te Araroa legend

May 2025

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May 2025

Ernie Schweizer was this year’s oldest Te Araroa thru-hiker
If you blink, you may just miss him. He’s speedy, he’s infamous, he’s had a song written about him, and he’s just become the oldest person to hike Te Araroa in the 2025 season.  At 82 years old, Ernst Schweizer didn’t plan on breaking any records. He’s just a fella who loves a big hike. […]
Samantha Mythen

About the author

Samantha Mythen

Walk Shorts writer Samantha Mythen is currently adventuring around the world, writing, hiking and cycling. She studied law but is now a journalist. She has worked for RNZ and freelanced for global publications, including Japan Today.

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