Te Araroa

Originally we had toyed with making the last day our longest and walking the entire 66 kilometres in one go – which is doable, since the route is flat …

From Queenstown our “run” towards Bluff began. Only 320 km to go. But instead of putting in short days with long breaks at the end of our strength, we …

The route from Wanaka to Queenstown promises to be one of the last big hurdles of the Te Araroa. The elevation profile of the Motatapu Alpine Track …

Days 91-96 This section: 194 km Total: 2583 km From Lake Tekapo the Te Araroa follows the Alps2Ocean mountain bike trail for 90 kilometres. Ideal …

The most important news first: yeah, we are in the newspaper ! The official track name for the first part of this section is: Hazard Zone 1 Rakaia to …

Days 79-85 This section: 49 km (+ 26 km of side trips), a sad tally all the same… Total: 2245 km After six days in the bush we longed for nothing …

The weather in New Zealand can take on a life of its own – words fail. But let us start at the beginning. Days 73-78 This section: 79 km (instead of …

Thank you to everybody who worried about Jan’s feet. It helped! One day later Jan’s feet were completely pain-free, and they have stayed that way! Or …

Warning: the following blog post consists mainly of show-off holiday pictures. Anyone suffering from a severe case of the winter blues had better stop …

57 days and 1700 km on the Te Araroa lie behind us. Time to take stock of our scenic highlights. 1. Tongariro Crossing Day 39 / kilometre 1117-1145 …

Days 55-57 This section: 93 km Total: 1702 km The final section of the North Island begins the way the first one began: along the beach. Looking at …

Days 48-54 This section: 135 km (plus approx. 100 km skipped) Total: 1609 km From Wanganui we decided to skip the route to Palmerston North: 100 km – …

Days 40-47 This section: 242 km Total: 1375 km When we looked out of the window on the morning after the Tongariro Crossing, it finally dawned on us …

Today we experienced THE highlight of our trail so far: the crossing of Mount Tongariro including the climb up Mount Ngauruhoe – the setting for Mount …

We have passed it – the 1000 km mark! Days 33-37 This section: 154 km Total: 1051 km 1000 kilometres done! Hiker’s hunger… We crossed the 1000 km mark …

Days 29-32 This section: 97 km Total: 897 km Oh, it was hard to slip back into our trail runners after two nights in a soft bed, hard to leave …

From Hamilton it is only a stone’s throw to Hobbiton – the film set of “The Lord of the Rings” (1999) and “The Hobbit” (2011). Admittedly: it is …

Days 23 – 27 Kilometres this section: 205 km Total: 800 km Well rested and filled up on Thanksgiving leftovers, we set off again. Sadly that also …

In Auckland we spent two wonderful “rest days”. I thought there would not be much to say about them, but looking back they are worth a post of their …

Days 16-20 Kilometres this section: 187 km Total: 595 km Our section began with another beach walk, one last time enjoying the wonderful views of the …

Days 10-15 Kilometres this section: 187 km Total: 408 km After a restful, sunny day in Kerikeri we carried on to Paihia on the Bay of Islands. Bay of …

From Ahipara to Kerikeri through the rainforests of Herekino Forest, Ratea Forest and Puketi Forest: Days 4-8 Kilometres this section: 121 km Total: …

From Cape Reinga to Ahipara: 100 km 3 days of internet detox a fair few blisters – your feet will not thank you for overdoing it with 40 km on the …

The first challenge: the food plan for the first five days (four days of walking, one day in reserve). Breakfast (quantities given per person per …

Hours of research and a small fortune went into our ultralight gear. In Jasmin’s rucksack: approx. 5 kg (the sleeping bag is missing from the picture) …