Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
I thought I had. In fact I was sure I had been there. I checked the AA map and sure enough there it was – nestled on the East Cape – I had stopped in for a coke many years ago as I toured in that area on my bike. But Te Araroa – The Lomg Pathway – frankly, the town did not have a long street to its name yet alone a long pathway!… and then I was enligtned
Te Araroa – The Long Pathway has had many descriptors attached to it
- A true necklace of gems
- New Zealands greatest citizen driven initiative
- This country’s best kept secret
- New Zealands National Trail
…and so they go on. None the wiser? Well have we got a surprise for you.
You see 20 odd years ago Geoff Chapple had a dream. Today that dream is all but complete – an off road walkway/ tramp that stretches 3000km from Cape Reinga in the the North to Bluff in the Deep South. It passes through 70 towns / 7 cities and some of the best scenery New Zealand has to offer. It includes 
some of the so-called Great Walks but for every Queen Charlotte Track and Tongariro Crossing that you can point to enroute, I can show you equally magnificent walking without the hoardes.
Geoff has written a book about it – but more importantly many thousands of people are out there walking it right now – people like John and Corrine (who are hiking the lot!!) or my next door neighbour – who is taking a stroll up the beach – and a coffee at either end.
You see that is the thing about Te Araroa. It probably passes right by your door; and you don’t have to walk the 3000 km’s to experience its magic. Find your piece of paradise and get onto it
Tags: bike, Great Walks, hiking, Queen Charlotte, Te Araroa, Tongariro Crossing, tramp | Posted in Walks | 1 Comment »