Te Araroa Trail
Hi,
Has anyone completed this?
Am looking to start this when I arrive in NZ..
Would like to get some advice from you :)
Thanks
My opinion of Te Araroa is that it is more of a concept than a reality. Good on the guys who are workin on it but for a tourist visiting the country, I think there would be more efficient ways to spend your time. The route maps that I have seen follow the lines of least resistance and often follows roads and bipasses some of the best mountain country.
John Key's idea of a cycleway going the length of the country is probably a better one.
Unless you are into endurance stuff I think you are better to look at picking a few of the more scenic walks around the country and then driving or getting public transport to fill the gaps between them.
It's still got gaps at present. I presume you have checked out its website
http://www.teararoa.org.nz/
Pmke is right, it probably misses out a lot of good stuff in order to achieve its aim of traversing the length of the country, yet keep the difficulty down.
I am hoping to do the south island section in a couple of years time (coordinating time off work/training is proving to be a total nightmare).
But if you have more experience, consider other routes too - check out these websites
http://www.manawahinewalk.com/
http://www.nzunderfoot.com/
Mana Wahine definitely went a more challenging route than what Te Araroa plans. I can't recall the details of NZ underfoot.
All the best!
Hi,
Thanks for the replies..
My aim is to do the whole length of New Zealand, I was just wanting to get a idea of the trail as I know it would have missed out some of the best stuff in order to keep on it's aim..
Being on the route however saves me time and effort to plan, I guess now it's just a matter of looking at routes and trying to mix them in to the Te Araroa Trail...
Thanks
NZ Underfoot's route goes the length of NZ, and Mana Wahine covers the length of the South Island. So if you are wanting a more challenging route I would highly recommend having a look at NZ maps, their websites, and the Te Araroa route in combination. However if you want to make planning easier (note: easier, not easy!) then sticking to Te Araroa might be best.
I take it you haven't been to NZ before; our mountains are not like Switzerland (which is my only overseas experience with mountains), and you will generally not be able to buy resupplies along the route, unless you hitch hike between legs and go well out of your way.
The Mana Wahine site has a bit about how they managed their resupplies.
Thanks for your advice...
I will have to sit down with my girlfriend who is doing it with me and try and figure out interesting routes mixed with challenges and beauty..
Lee -
By the time you get here - I'm estimating November 2010 based on your profile - TA will be in place with some rough patches. I'd estimate 12% of the distance will still be a roadwalk to connect trailheads, but most of it will be continuous and offroad. Around 20 people a year are currently doing the unfinished route, so you won't be alone. You're right about the length of NZ being 1600km but the trail length is 3000 km. Questions on the track should go to [Email address removed].
Geoff Chapple
I see the mail marshall ate the email address I tried to give - but go to the teararoa website and you'll get an "info" address there that answers questions.
GC
Hi Geoff, email addresses are stripped to protect you from evil spam bots, which trawl pages for addresses. :-)
Nice to see you here. I just (accidentally) walked a little more of Te Araroa at the weekend. I was thinking I should make a "How much of Te Araroa have you walked?" calculator...
Ohh so am doing double the length..
Wicked..
Yeah I will be there about that time depending on if am working first or tramping..
I have subscribed via email a few weeks ago..
I look forward to getting updates :)
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| Forum | Tracks, routes, and huts |
|---|---|
| Started by | leehughes |
| On | 23 October 2009 |
| Replies | 9 |
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