Other trail questions and hiking tips

As you've discovered there is a lot that goes into making a walk like this a reality - from gear, to logistics and travel, it can get a little confusing! These are some of the most common questions I am frequently asked about Te Araroa.

Should I wear trail runners or boots?

Personally I would highly recommend trail runners over boots for this trail. There are a LOT of water crossings and your feet are frequently going to get wet so its best to have something quick drying. I used a pair of Altra Lone Peak 8's for each islands and LOVED them.

What gear will I need?

You can check out a full breakdown of what I packed for the TA here.

Can I do the TA if I've never done a long distance trail before?

You sure can! For many hikers I met on trail the Te Araroa was their first LONG distance hike... that said please don't go into this with no experience! Walking a 1,000km+ trail is a huge physical challenge and time commitment so I'd suggest having complete at least a few overnight and shorter multi day trails beforehand to make sure you are physically fit and actually enjoy being on trails for extended periods of time.

How fit do I need to be?

If you're taking on any long distance hike you should probably already have a pretty decent level of fitness however your trail fitness will increase as you walk each day and you will find you are able to move faster and cover greater distances as you progress. If you are starting at Cape Reinga you will need to be able to walk back to back 30km days of beach to start the trail.

How mentally challenging is Te Araroa?

This is a great question but also a little tricky to answer as it will vary from person to person. In my experience the hardest part of the TA mentally was not the trail itself but rather constantly saying goodbye to so many amazing people I met along the way. I personally found the TA much less mentally challenging that trails I have previously done like the AAWT.

Should I walk north or south?

It is possible to walk either direction but I would HIGHLY recommend starting north and walking south.

The North Island is a lot more community focused with easier access to towns and supplies whilst the South Island is more challenging both physically and logistically. Use the north island as an opportunity to make friends and build up your trail fitness before heading to the beautiful views of the south.

What side trips should I do?

New Zealand has SO much to see and whilst Te Araroa is a huge adventure on its own I'd highly recommend taking a few side trips to sightsee and explore as much of the country as possible. I have pinned these in the 'things to do' section of this guide or you can watch my TA journey here.

Is it ever hard to find the trail?

The TA is a well marked trail so its pretty easy to follow. In cities it can be a little confusing to know where the exact trail is (because you're just exploring sidewalk, not on a walking trail) and the ability to navigate in some more remote areas can be greatly effected by the weather if the visibility is bad - these include across Mt Rintoul, over the Waiau Pass and through the river section to Stody's Hut.

There is a downloadable app 'Te Araroa - The trail app' that can be used offline with a map of the track and there are orange triangle markers or snow poles along the length of the trail.

How much does it cost?

Unfortunately this is a bit of a hard question to answer. The final cost of the trip will really depend on factors like how long you plan to take, how much you want to spend on gear and what type of food and accommodation you opt for along the way. Keep in mind costs for a 3 month hike will look very different to a slower hike taking upwards of 5 months.

What are my options for transport on TA?

I have listed the transport and companies I used and their information under the 'things to do' section of this guide. You can simply filter the 'transport' pins to see on the map where each may be needed.

What about hitch hiking?

Outside of busses, boats etc. for transport I also hitchhiked quite a bit in New Zealand to do side trips and sightsee. This is pretty common here and I never felt unsafe doing so (that said please do always be careful)!

My advice as a solo female hiker:

• Try to hitch with another hiker whenever possible, there's always safety in numbers.

• Take note of the number plate before getting in a vehicle

• If ANYTHING feels off when someone pulls up don't take the ride. Say you were 'actually trying to get to X destination' in the opposite direction if you need an excuse and do not feel bad about saying no!

• Hunting is popular in New Zealand and you may see guns in peoples cars - especially around forested areas. Do ask about it but don't immediately be concerned about this, hunters were some of the nicest and friendliest people I met both hitching and on trail.

Was there anything/anywhere in particular that you didn't feel safe as a solo female hiker?

Honestly I'm very grateful to say no, there was nothing that happened that made me feel particularly unsafe on this trail. New Zealand is a very friendly and welcoming country and very supportive of outdoor pursuits. The trail itself is very social and allowed me to find and connect with multiple trail families.

I would advise against wild camping in most areas as deer hunting can be popular at night and would suggest walking with a trail buddy where possible in more challenging areas and through significant water crossings.

Where will I be staying?

Between a mix of huts, campgrounds and town accommodation. You will need to carry a tent the whole way.

Where can I get food?

The TA walks through many cities and towns with pubs, bakeries, grocery stores and so on. I have pinned the towns you can use as resupply points under the 'things to do' section of this guide.

Do I need to send bounce boxes?

I didn't use food drops or bounce boxes at any point on this trail BUT did hitch off and back a number of times to resupply as this worked best for me.

If you do like the idea of having bounce boxes pre organized I would suggest St Arnaud and Arthurs Pass Village as the only places where they may be necessary.

How much food will I need to carry?

In more populated areas it is only necessary to carry food for a day or two, on the other hand the longest food carry is about 10 days through the Richmond Ranges from Havelock to St Arnaud. It is recommended that 'hikers should be prepared for a 9 day walk between towns and prepared to wait out bad weather'.

What weather should I expect?

It's not uncommon in New Zealand to experience four seasons in a day, particularly on the South Island. Be prepared for hot sunny days but also for cold rainy ones. I experienced snow on the Waiau Pass in December (the middle of the NZ summer).

Will I be walking with many other people?

Yes, you will meet new friends from all over the world!

Te Araroa, particularly the North Island has a fantastic sense of community with around 2,000 people completing the thru hike each year. In peak hiking season it's likely you will be walking at the same time as many other hikers and camping in the same places (this is referred to on trail as a 'bubble' when there are a large group of hikers in the same section). As you move further into the trail you'll likely form a trail family and move away from the bubble with everyone going at different paces. You won't encounter as many hikers in the more remote sections or if you are infront or behind the recommended season start dates.

What was your favorite section?

The Whanganui River on the North Island and Richmond Alpine Track on the South were favorites of mine.

What was your least favorite section?

I wasn't very inspired by the road walks on the North Island and was pretty glad to be done with the mud on the South.

What's next?

After finishing the TA I hiked The Rakiura Track on Stewart Island and Kepler Track in Fiordland National Park. I'm always on the look out for the next adventure!