The Te Araroa trail is a 3,000 km hiking trail spanning the entire length of New Zealand's North and South Islands. The South Island section covers around 1,400 km and takes walkers through a variety of landscapes including forests, mountains, and coastal areas.
The trail starts at Ship Cove in the Marlborough Sounds and finishes in Bluff. Along the way, hikers pass through the Richmond Ranges, the Nelson Lakes National Park, the Southern Alps, and Fiordland National Park.
The South Island section of the Te Araroa is steeped in history, with the trail following the paths of early Maori and European explorers. Each year, thousands of people from all over the world walk Te Araroa, either in its entirety or in sections. Some choose to do it as a personal challenge or a way to connect with nature, while others do it to raise awareness and funds for various causes. Most walkers start in November and finish in March.
