About the Te Araroa Trail

The Te Araroa Trail is a world-renowned long-distance hiking trail that offers a truly epic journey through the diverse and stunning landscapes of Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud.

This trail is a testament to New Zealand's natural beauty and cultural richness. Hikers embarking on the Te Araroa Trail can expect diverse experiences, from traversing dense native forests and remote beaches to crossing volcanic plateaus and ascending snow-capped peaks.

The Te Araroa Trail is a true adventure of a lifetime, catering to both thru-hikers looking for a months-long expedition and day hikers seeking to explore specific sections of this magnificent trail. Whether you're drawn to its natural wonders, cultural significance, or the sheer sense of adventure it offers, the Te Araroa Trail is a remarkable odyssey for those seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty and diversity of New Zealand.

The Te Araroa Trail is usually walked during the warmer months of September-April as the New Zealand Winters, particularly in the South Island, can be harsh and unforgiving. Typically, the Southbound walkers would begin their tramp in late September-December, and the Northbound walkers would start in November-January. These timings mean that walkers can enjoy generally warmer weather and avoid the seasonal closures of track sections for lambing on South Island farmland.

In Southland, the Te Araroa Trail passes near the Mavora lakes & Princhester Road areas. There are options for walkers to join up with Tracknet’s Timetables for onwards travel or to take a short stop-over in Te Anau for a shower and hot meals before commencing your journey. Pre-bookings are essential for these services as Tracknet will not routinely stop at these locations unless passengers are booked on.

See the Te Araroa Trust website to plan your walk on the Te Araroa Trail. There is important information here that is updated regularly about track conditions and seasonal track closures.