Along The Te Araroa Trek

Heads up, hiking aficionados: the Te Araroa trail opening draws nearer as 2010 approaches 2011. In these last few months of 2010, it's not a bad idea to start planning and preparing for a whole new trail experience.

the Te Araroa trust (TAT) has worked with local and regional authorities on local trail schemes. TAT is supported further by volunteers and donations from the New Zealand population, as the nation-through trail approaches completion. In the past, a couple of attempts at long trail managing have been made but didn't last. Now, TAT has the support of regional and territorial local authorities, along with an extensive struggle for funds. What's more, the experience in influencing local walking and cycling event strategies is bound to realize the Te Araroa trail.

Enough said about who's creating the trail. Aside from running the length of New Zealand, the trail will take trekkers through varying surroundings. It begins and ends in seascapes: Cape Reinga in the north and Bluff in the south. In between, encounters with forests, farms, volcanoes, valleys, rivers, lakes, and mountain passes will enchant trek participants.

Tramping through New Zealand's latest long-distance walking route (3,000 km) is estimated to take around 4 months. It's not just going to be a treat for the eyes. The trail will take you across half a dozen cities, not to mention townships and settlements. It could inspire deeper cultural, social, and economic connections among New Zealanders and even other countries. You'll experience a variety of cuisine and accommodations, too. There will be further section tramps, to amp the experience.

Here's a bit of trivia. The first known walk throughout New Zealand was by A. H. Reed, back at the beginning of the 1960s. He took almost 7 months to do it, but hey, 85 at the time.

It's probably difficult to trek like this in another country. Trails elsewhere have a rather uniform appearance geographically, the whole length of the trail. If you take the Te Araroa trail, you'll be able to say you've seen it all, on one of the world's longest trails at that.