Cape Rēinga to Ahipara, 100km, 4–5 days
Southbound TA starts at Cape Rēinga, and for those new to multi-day tramping, it’s a rude awakening – turns out four to five days of flat beach walking is not easy. Expect a beach that never seems to end, wet boots, blisters, lots of sand in places it shouldn’t be, and monotony. This strip of coast though is remote and raw, beautiful and hypnotic. It’s New Zealand wildness at its best with glorious sunsets thrown in for good measure.
DO IT … if you want the challenge of a long, remote beach walk
DON’T DO IT … if you get bored easily and have an aversion to lots of sand
Kaniwhaniwha Reserve to Pirongia West Road, 16km, 2 days
The Traverse has lots of mud and a significant climb to the summit (959m). Do this walk for the overnight stay at Pahautea Hut and campsite just below the summit. Not only is it a beautiful hut, but, on a good day, it boasts spectacular sunrises and sunsets with the silhouettes of Ruapehu and Ngāuruhoe in the distance. You might even catch a cloud inversion. Expect a host of amateur photographers snapping away.
DO IT … if you like working hard for your sunrises and sunsets and you don’t mind mud
DON’T DO IT … if mud and hard tramping is not your thing
Greenstone Station car park (Lake Wakatipu) to Mavora Lakes Campsite (North Mavora Lake), 52km, 2–3 days
Here’s a bit of everything – beech forest, deep blue lakes and vast tussock-filled valleys ensconced between mountain ridges. There is a huge sense of space as you track through the river valley and ponder your insignificance. The uphill isn’t too strenuous and is followed by a pretty level elevation profile, albeit with a ground trail that can disappear. There are bogs, so expect wet feet.
DO IT … if you’re looking for remoteness and space
DON’T DO IT … if you prefer a hard ground trail to follow, or you don’t like getting wet boots
From 7km south of Huntly to Ngāruawāhia, 12km, 7.5hr
It’s a bit of a climb, but it’s also one of the best forest walks in the North Island section. There’s mud and tree roots but it’s manageable, and once up the ridgeline is followed through beautiful native forest with kauri trees – and who doesn’t love a ridgeline walk? It’s atmospheric and peaceful, and breaks in the trees offer stunning views of the winding Waikato River and plains. Just be prepared for the steps at each end.
DO IT … if you love a day forest walk with a bit of a challenge
DON’T DO IT … if you prefer your ridgeline walks with unimpeded views or you don’t like steps
Whakahoro to Whanganui
Top 10 Holiday Park, 119km, 4–6 days
Whanganui River is a gem of Te Araroa. It’s one of New Zealand’s Great Walks but the TA version continues for a couple of days past the usual finish at Pipiriki to paddle into Whanganui. Stunning early stretches go through towering gorges and exhilarating rapids; the latter stretches are more sedate, gliding through farmland as the river becomes tidal. Expect amazing scenery, thrills, potential capsizing, sore shoulder muscles, fierce afternoon headwinds, and to carry your heavy barrels of food and kit uphill at the end of each day.
DO IT … if you want to rest your feet and you’re seeking something different and an adrenalin rush
DON’T DO IT … if you have a fear of rapids and capsizing
Starveall Hut to Old Man Hut, 15km, 1 day
The Richmond Range, from Hacket Junction, covers a hard 95km over five to seven days, and every day offers something different. A highlight is the ridgeline section from Starveall Hut to Old Man Hut where you pop out above the treeline. Climbing to the summit of Mt Starveall (1511m) and following the ridgeline to Old Man (1515m) you are greeted with mountains on mountains. Epic!
DO IT … if you love mountains, ridgelines and don’t mind the steep climb to Starveall Hut and the days-long walk-out options from Old Man Hut
DON’T DO IT … if you’re not prepared for several days of tough tramping in an alpine environment
St Arnaud to Boyle Village, 115.5km, 5–8 days
This is one of the best sections with stunning mountain views. The crème de la crème is from West Sabine Hut through moss-covered forest to Rotomairewhenua Blue Lake, the clearest-known freshwater in the world. This is followed by jewel-like Rotopōhueroa Lake Constance and Waiau Pass, the second highest point on Te Araroa. It’s nerves of steel for the steep scree climb to the pass and the scramble over boulders down the other side. The walk out to Boyle Village covers open grassy flats and bushy river valleys. Good weather conditions are a must for the pass.
DO IT … if you’re looking for a rewarding tough challenge and the weather is good
DON’T DO IT … if you’re not good with exposed heights and scrambling
Glendhu Bay to Arrowtown, 49km, 3–4 days
With some serious ups and downs and steep sidles, it’s not for the faint-hearted: it’s some multi-day workout! But once the tree-line is cleared the views of these mountains and valleys are impressive, especially the play of light and shadow over the mountains’ folds at dawn and dusk. Over three to four days there are five saddles, the highest 1275m. So, expect jelly legs and lots of sweat.
DO IT … for the mountains and if you like feeling the burn in your calves and thighs
DON’T DO IT … if the thought of continuous steep ups and downs over several days fills you with dread
Pureora to Ōngarue, 85km, 2–4 days
For TA walkers the Timber Trail is bliss: well-maintained tracks, good trail surface, limited mud and tree roots and an easy elevation profile. Add to that exceptional native forest and views, the 35 bridges (including eight suspension bridges), no nighttime light pollution, the 1165m Mt Pureora summit (an optional 1.5hr side trip – worth it for the view from the top) and the historic Ōngarue Spiral, described as a marvel of engineering. It’s such a good track you can walk it in two days if you’re feeling fit. It is also a mountain bike track, so expect to have to stand to the side often.
DO IT … if you’re looking for an easy multi-day tramp or you’re a structural engineering buff
DON’T DO IT … if you dislike sharing a trail with bikes or you prefer more of a tramping challenge
Royal Hut to Camp Stream Hut, 14km, 6hr
It takes a couple of days and many river crossings to reach Royal Hut, but it’s worth it. The climb to Stag Saddle (1925m) isn’t particularly noteworthy, and the saddle itself is rocks and scree with limited views. But, it’s the highest point on TA, surely, a win. The real gold comes if you choose the ridgeline walk rather than following the track into the valley. If the weather permits, the long ridgeline rewards with chocolate-box views of Aoraki Mt Cook and the turquoise slash of Lake Tekapo.
DO IT … if you want to bag a glimpse of Aoraki/Mt Cook and tick off TA’s highest point
DON’T DO IT … if there is a lot of cloud (it’s really the only reason not to do it!)
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