Waikato/King Country

Lots of pastureland and lots of rain in this region, as well as mud especially in the Hakamiratas and Mount Pirongia near Hamilton.

TA Day 29, Mercer to Rangariri - 27 km
The trail is through soggy bottomland and over electric fenced farmland to Rangariri.
TA Day 30, Rangiriri to below Hakamarita summit - 29 km
It's easy tramping to Huntly and a beautiful sculpture garden, then up steeply into the Hakarimata Range.
These roots were made for tripping.
TA Day 31, Hakarimata to Hamilton - 28 km
The Hakarimatas is a muddy bushwalk to beautiful stairs, the Te Awa Cycleway and Hamilton.
TA Day 32, Hamilton to Whatawhata - 10 km
It's farms, the cool Taitua Arboretum and finally Whatawhata, where the Backyard Bar allows camping.
TA Day 33, Whatawhata to Pahautea hut - 33 km
The trail is through swamp up into the Kapamahungas and muddy, moss covered Tawa on Mount Pirongia.
It's always best just to go straight through the mud as Floris does wearing his rain "kilt."
TA Day 34, Pahautea hut to Kaimango Road - 18 km
I'm rescued by a trail angel after a 5-hour hike from the hut down Mount Pirongia in deep mud.
TA Day 35, Kaimango Road to Waitomo - 29 km
Under threatening thunder, the walk is in farmland, muddy bush and across a swollen stream.
The cavers from Kaitaia practice their technique for getting in (and out) of tight spots.
TA Day 36, ‘zero day’ Waitomo
Waitomo is the perfect day for a "zero mile" rest day at the Hamilton Tomo Hut.
TA audio narrative: a ‘walking holiday’
This long thru-hike is less a "walking holiday" than a full-time job.
Chairs awaiting campers at a bend in the river.
TA Day 37, Waitomo to Mangaokewa Reserve - 31 km
Wet farmland and the glorious Pehitawa forest is followed by a river sidling nightmare.
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 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 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 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 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 43, Ongarue to Taumarunui - 27 km
It's easy walking past sheering and a cafe, where the gardener shares coffee and philosophy.
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 44, Taumaruni to Whakapapa River - 25 km
It's a gorgeous country road to the Whakapapa where Blissful sees two rare whio.
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.