Te Araroa Adventures: The Good, The Bad, The Muddy-Overgrown Trails & Hitching Rides | Vlog 14/22

[@majellafergus3643]

I agree, the countryside is phenomenal. If the ‘tourist board’ want more people to come and experience this they really need to up their game on maintenance of this walk 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@user-nx3ur6uc8t]

The ‘tourist board’ do not run or maintain Te Araroa. It is set up by a private trust and its website and other information material clearly explain the nature of the walk. It is aimed at people who want an adventure.

[@user-nx3ur6uc8t]

Just to correct myself - Te Araroa connects a whole lot of different tracks and some of these will be maintained by the Department of Conservation e.g. the Queen Charlotte track at the top of the South Island but Te Araroa itself is run by volunteers. It is not like the Camino in Europe and nor is it intended to be.

[@flatandsplat]

When you look at this trail - track quality, markers etc, then see videos of the beautiful Great Walks ie Milford Track with exemplary signage, beautifully maintained. It's clear which I would choose on a trip to New Zealand. No one wants to be stressed like that when hiking. Not on so many days in a row too. It costs a lot to fly to these places. It's an investment to hike places like this. It needs to be worth your while.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

I totally understand, and I saw quite a few hikers doing exactly that on the North Island-picking and choosing which sections to hike and hitching the road stretches. For many, those sections just weren’t worth it, either because they felt too dangerous or because it’s not how you want to spend your time after coming so far. Things are definitely very different on the South Island. The Great Walks there are truly stunning! I also did the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (vlog coming soon!), and it was hands down one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Thank you so much for your support and for watching the vlogs-I really appreciate it!

[@nadeansimmons226]

This trail is not maintained by a government body or local councils. It is run by volunteers who probably have busy lives. NZ is a wild place with wild weather and extremes and you seem to expect a gorgeous organised trail all the time. Roads, paths. forests and bridges can be destroyed in an instant. You don't seem to get it.

[@user-nx3ur6uc8t]

If you want well maintained paths then choose one of the Great Walks (there are many). They are designed for the general walker. Te Araroa is run on a shoestring and is also intended for people who want a bit of an adventure. There are much more challenging sections ahead. If you watch the videos others on KZbin they don’t even register the issues that are stressing Sarah. By the way, dairy cows are not going to hurt you.

[@user-nx3ur6uc8t]

Just to clarify that my comment is not intended to criticise you Sarah, you are clearly an amazing person - but I think your expectations of Te Araroa are not quite lined up with the nature of the trail.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate the opportunity to have this discussion. You’ve brought up a great point about Te Araroa being run on a shoestring budget. I think this might be one of the big misunderstandings for international hikers. Many people, myself included, assume that because the trail is such a showcase of New Zealand’s natural beauty, it must have significant government funding and maintenance. Knowing now that it’s not supported in the same way as the Great Walks adds a new perspective. I’m definitely up for an adventure-what I’m less prepared for is walking on state highways when I thought I’d be on a trail surrounded by nature. For new hikers, especially those without experience on long-distance trails, it might seem normal. But having hiked the Appalachian Trail in the U.S., which has more consistent trail infrastructure, my expectations were different. It’s interesting you mention that other KZbinrs don’t seem to register the challenges I’m sharing. My goal with my videos is always to show the full reality of the hike: the highs and the lows, what I love and what I struggle with. Social media often highlights only the good side of adventures, but I think it’s important to balance that with authenticity. For example, the bad signage, road walking, and yes, the cows-they all form part of my experience. And while I know dairy cows aren’t typically aggressive, they can and do injure people. I’ve personally been chased by cows, so when I see them, especially with calves, I tread carefully. On a long thru-hike like this, there are bound to be tough days. My hope is that by sharing honestly, I can help prepare others for what they might face, while still encouraging them to embrace the adventure. Thanks again for your thoughtful comment and for taking the time to engage. Conversations like this are always worthwhile.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Thank you so much for clarifying, and I really appreciate your kind words! I completely understand where you’re coming from, and you’re absolutely right-it’s possible my expectations for Te Araroa didn’t quite line up with the nature of the trail. If you’re interested, you might enjoy listening to a reflection podcast episodes I recorded about the TA (released March 2024). I go into detail about my expectations for the trail and why certain aspects of it felt so disappointing to me. It’s a topic I’ve thought about a lot, and sharing those reflections has been really helpful. Thanks again for taking the time to comment-I truly value these discussions and your perspective!

[@user-nx3ur6uc8t]

@@toughgirlchallenges and thank you for your courteous and detailed response. I agree everyone dislikes walking on busy roads. I think the Trust continues to try and negotiate alternative off road access but it can be hard to convince landowners. It takes only a couple of negative experiences to counter all the hundreds of well behaved walkers. I will absolutely have a listen to your podcast. Best wishes.