The longest walk in New Zealand is a daunting undertaking, but for this walker preparing physically and psychologically was made easier by the Walk1200km challenge. By Tsewang Nuru Sherpa

I like going for walks. It’s a simple and accessible form of exercise that doesn’t require any special equipment. When I decided to walk Te Araroa Trail (TA), its 3000km allure was exciting, but I was unprepared. A thru-hike is no easy task, and I had done only a few multi-day trips. Four months of continuous walking seemed daunting; nevertheless, I was drawn to the idea.

I joined the Walk1200km challenge as a way to prepare for TA. I realised that I needed to start with shorter distances to get the momentum building, and began by walking regularly to work – 1.7km each way. Then I rummaged through community notices and Facebook pages to discover hidden parks and walking tracks to expand my walking playground. It became part of my routine to take an evening or morning stroll by the river. 

The challenge’s community aspect – via Facebook updates and group walks with friends and the local tramping club – has helped me to forge new connections. This has improved my social health and generated a sense of accountability to keep the challenge going. 

Early on I realised that scheduling time for walks was a far-fetched goal, often forgotten. One way for me to stay consistent with Walk1200km has been to combine walking with other activities. From work commutes to using stairs instead of taking the lift, from walking briskly to the supermarket to meeting friends in person rather than calling them. Such small adjustments have helped me gradually to achieve daily distance goals.

In addition to the abundant physical benefits, walking calmed my mind. It relieved tension and put problems into perspective. Taking daily walks has also made me slow down and connect more with my surroundings. Long walks during weekends with friends, multi-day hikes and exploring new places on foot have all helped me discover hidden corners which I would otherwise have missed. 

While there’s no perfect way to prepare for an endurance walk like Te Araroa, developing a good rhythm of daily walks has certainly been helpful.

– Tsewang began his Te Araroa Trail journey on October 21.