Walking Te Araroa: 3 New Zealand hikes for every level

It takes about five months to walk the length of New Zealand on Te Araroa (meaning “the long pathway”), which stretches from Te Rerenga Wairua/Cape Reinga in the north to Motupōhue/Bluff in the south. This 3,000km-long trail is often billed as one of the toughest thru-hikes in the world, and I tackled it alone in 2024 as I wrote my memoir Northbound. 

I loved the feeling of spending months becoming part of a dedicated community of trail walkers, but there are myriad ways to experience Te Araroa that don’t require the time investment needed for the entire journey. Rather than thinking of Te Araroa as one all-or-nothing hike, plan it by section. Some travellers choose a short-day walk, others build a multi-day tramp into a New Zealand itinerary, while experienced walkers may take on the full trail over several months. I’ve personally loved becoming a section-walker, although I do plan to walk the trail again one day.

Before you set out, download the official Te Araroa Trail App and apply your blister treatment. Here are some of my favourite sections of the Te Araroa that are easily walked on a visit to New Zealand, depending on your fitness, gear, and experience. 

The following hikes are described northbound, as I walked them, but you can easily customise them to go southbound. 

Wellington: one day 

Best for: day walkers 

Take a 45-minute train north from Wellington to Paekākāriki Station to experience one of the most spectacular one-day sections of the Te Araroa. It’s so steep that it left me vertiginous, but it’s still worth it. The Escarpment Track is truly breathtaking. It’s high, steep, and navigates tight corners and scary swing bridges. But you’ll really feel like you’ve achieved something once you get your feet back at sea level with a cold drink in hand. 

Auckland: three days

Best for: coastal views

Experience downtown Auckland and its pretty string of suburban coastal communities on foot. You could carry everything on your back for these three days, but it’s easier on the body to “slackpack” and use the plentiful network of AT (Auckland Transport) buses to return to your accommodation each night.

Day 1

15km: After a good urban breakfast, start your section of Te Araroa at Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill), which offers excellent views of the city and the walk ahead. Stroll 15km through the city to the ferry terminal at the water’s edge; this is where you’ll depart from tomorrow morning. 

Day 2

15km: Fuel up with another decent breakfast and pick up a sandwich before taking an early morning ferry (there’s one every 30 minutes) across the bay to the seaside suburb of Devonport. From here, you’ll join the 31.4km Te Araroa section known as the North Shore Coastal Walk. Finish at the gorgeous white sands of Mairangi Bay and take public transport back to your accommodation. 

Day 3

15km: Return to Mairangi Bay and enjoy another few hours walking north to the section endpoint at Long Bay. This section is a little steeper and more rural, ending with a low-tide crossing to continue further north. When you get there, gaze across the wet sands to see what’s over the horizon – you’re now a true thru-hiker at heart.

Queenstown to Wānaka: five days 

Best for: alpine scenery 

The best way to see New Zealand is on foot, and the Motatapu Track is the perfect example: a backcountry route linking the Arrowtown and Wānaka areas. As you travel across (and up) the mountain passes between the glacial lakes of Whakatipu and Wānaka, you’ll experience soaring vistas, huge climbs, river crossings and hair-raising narrow stretches of trail. This is a big section with long, tough, remote days, so it’s essential to have significant multi-day hiking experience under your belt. Walking poles will come in handy, and you’ll need a tent. This section of the trail can get very busy, making bunks in the huts difficult to secure. 

Day 1

30km: Follow a pleasant, flat walking trail from central Queenstown to Arrowtown, meandering from the city, along rivers and lakes, and then through the most prestigious golf course and suburbs in New Zealand. Stay the night in historic Arrowtown. 

Day 2 

13km: The hill days begin. Grab your last bakery treats and walk over Big Hill to the former goldmining settlement of Macetown, where you’ll camp for the night.

Day 3

11km: A truly New Zealand experience; this trail becomes the Arrow River itself. Navigate cool, deep blue pools and then slog up a steep mountain pass to descend to Rose’s Hut.

Day 4 

10km: Two steep peaks will test you today on your way to Highland Creek Hut. Once there, you can collapse on the wide, sunny deck and swim in a small creek.

Day 5

15km: Start early before the sun gets too high; you’ll be ascending your last massive hill before beginning the final trek to Lake Wānaka. If you fancy an extra rest, stay in Fern Burn Hut for the night, otherwise continue through cool forest floors and along a gravel road to Glendhu Bay, where you’ll find accommodation and food. The town of Wānaka is another 15km along a pleasant lakeside trail, though you may want to save that for the next day.

What to consider before your hike

1. The best season for these sections is generally late spring to early autumn, but alpine weather can change quickly at any time. Always check trail alerts, forecasts and river levels before setting out. 
2. Arrowtown, Queenstown and Wānaka accommodation can fill up quickly during peak summer, school holidays and event periods, so be sure to book ahead.
3. Te Araroa rewards careful planning, whether you choose a gentle day walk or a more demanding multi-day section. Check conditions, choose a route that matches your experience and leave enough time for New Zealand’s changeable weather.
4. Te Araroa changes from year to year as routes, private-land access, forestry operations, slips and weather events affect the trail. Check the official Te Araroa Trail App and current trail notes before walking.