About the planner
Is this planner free to use?
Yes, completely free. No account needed, no sign-up.
How are the hours calculated for a day?
The tool uses the indication in the trail notes as its base. This based on the pace the DOC indicates, which is in many cases a bit slower than the average thru-hiker. Where hours weren’t available, Naismith is used to make an estimate based on distance and elevation. Please note that people have very different paces on the trail and so how long it takes will be personal. Elements like pack weight, weather and level of fitness all play a role. Do some test hiking to know your pace.
Does the tool cover both islands?
Yes — the full trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff, including the Interislander ferry crossing between Wellington and Picton. If you want to plan both islands, select ‘full trail’ in the tool
Can I plan just part of the trail?
Absolutely. Use “Find a section” to discover sections that fit your available time, or use “Plan my trip” and set any start and end point along the trail. You can always use “Build my own” to fully build from scratch. To make it easier, you can also select which island you’re interested in at the top.
What is SOBO and NOBO?
SOBO means southbound — hiking from Cape Reinga to Bluff, which is the most common direction. NOBO means northbound — Bluff to Cape Reinga. The planner supports both.
Does it include alternative routes like the Whanganui River?
Yes. The planner includes options for the Whanganui River Journey (canoe, full canoe, or jetboat), the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Rakaia and Rangitata river bypasses, the Tekapo–Twizel bike option, and more. Just make your selection under “Advanced settings”
How often is the data updated?
The planner is updated each season when Te Araroa Trust releases new trail notes. Waypoint information, hut fees, and booking requirements are kept current. Please note that this is created by a hiker with a real job, so some delays are expected
Can I save my itinerary?
Currently the planner works in your browser session — closing the tab clears it. We’re working on a save feature. The best way to save your itinerary is by using the different export functionalities.
Can I compare plans in the tool?
Yes, temporarily save a plan by clicking ‘Plan A’. Then adjust the parameters and click ‘Plan B’. The compare button allows you to compare the plans side by side. You can compare up to three plans at a time.
About Te Araroa
Do I need to book huts in advance?
DOC huts on Great Walks (Tongariro, Kepler (side trek), Routeburn (sidetrek)) require advance booking and are very popular, especially in summer. Many other huts operate on a first-come basis with a hut pass. The planner flags which stops require booking. The huts that are not Great Walks but do require booking usually have space and can be booked a few days in advance. Huts can be booked on the DOC website.
What time of year is best to hike Te Araroa?
Most SOBO hikers doing the full trail start in late October or November, arriving in the South Island around January and February — the best months for South Island weather. NOBO hikers typically start in January or February. The hike can be done in a longer time period, but please take into account weather conditions such as snowfall.
How fit do I need to be?
The trail varies enormously — from flat beach walks to serious alpine crossings. You don’t need to be an elite athlete, but a solid base of fitness and multi-day hiking experience is important, especially for the South Island.
Do I need a permit to hike the Te Araroa?
You need a trail pass to hike the Te Araroa. There is no lottery or limitation to the number of people, but do note that to get the physical pass you need to take into account the delivery times. For international travelers, you can to pick up the pass in New Zealand. The trail pass registration can be done on teararoa.org.nz