TA Day 45, Whakapapa River to Te Porere Redoubt – 35 km
On the steep, and deeply rutted Waione/Cokers Track Blissful accepts a ride with a trapper.
TA Day 44, Taumaruni to Whakapapa River – 25 km
It’s a gorgeous country road to the Whakapapa where Blissful sees two rare whio.
TA audio narrative: into each life…
Rain is a constant companion on the Te Araroa causing anxiety until I learned to accept it.
TA Day 43, Ongarue to Taumarunui – 27 km
It’s easy walking past sheering and a cafe, where the gardener shares coffee and philosophy.
TA Day 42, Timber Trail to Ongarue campsite – 26 km
The Ongarue Spiral was built in 1914 and includes a tunnel and two trestle bridges.
TA Day 41, Harrison’s Creek to No. 10 Camp – 33 km
At Piropiro Flats, Blissful has two beers for brunch and crosses the trails’s largest suspension bridge.
TA Day 40, Ngaherenga campsite to Harrisons Creek – 27 km
The Timber Trail is a hike/bike path through native podacarp forest saved by “tree sitters.”
TA Day 39, Mangaokewa Road to Ngaherenga campsite – 33 km
It’s a long road walk through karst landscape including cone-shaped hills in brilliant green.
TA Day 38, Mangaokewa Reserve to Mangaokewa Road – 17 km
Out of Mangaokewa Reserve, Blissful is picked up by trail angels and learns how a farm works.
TA Day 37, Waitomo to Mangaokewa Reserve – 31 km
Wet farmland and the glorious Pehitawa forest is followed by a river sidling nightmare.
