• BOOK ALISON
  • SPEAKING
    • EMCEE and HOST
    • ALL SPEAKING TOPICS
    • Quit With Grit
    • Stepping into Joy
    • At the Speed of Andante
    • Alison’s Travelogues
  • WRITING
    • hike diary
    • insights
  • PODCASTING
    • blissful hiker
    • walking distance
  • About

search

ABOUT ALISON

Alison Young is a speaker, writer and host of Blissful Hiker Podcast, which has over 60,000 downloads. She brings her extensive artistic training communication skills, lessons from the trail, as well as research-based practices, tools, and technique to challenge, inspire and teach audiences to be creative and more effective.

Follow alison

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • linkedin

CONTACT ALISON

Loading
Alison Young Blissful Hiker
SUBSCRIBE
  • Africa
    • Drakensberg Traverse, South Africa/Lesotho
  • Asia
    • K2 basecamp trek, Karakoram, Pakistan
  • Europe
    • GR5, France
    • Cape Wrath Trail, Scotland
    • Coast-to-Coast + Lake District Loop, England
  • North America
    • Appalachian Trail
      • Presidential Traverse and White Mountains, NH
    • Arizona Trail
      • Paria Canyon/Buckskin Gulch, UT/AZ
    • Continental Divide Trail
      • Colorado
      • Montana
      • Wyoming
        • Teton Crest Trail (+ side trips)
        • Wind River High Route
    • North Country Trail
      • Isle Royale
      • Superior Hiking Trail
    • Pacific Crest Trail
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • Northern California
      • The Sierra
        • John Muir Trail, CA
      • Southern California
  • Oceania
    • Te Araroa
      • Northland
      • Auckland
      • Waikato/King Country
      • Manawatu
      • Wellington
      • Nelson/Marlboro
      • Canterbury
      • Otago
      • Southland
  • South America
    • Aconcagua, Argentina
    • Torres del Paine, Chile “O” Circuit Trek
Menu
  • Africa
    • Drakensberg Traverse, South Africa/Lesotho
  • Asia
    • K2 basecamp trek, Karakoram, Pakistan
  • Europe
    • GR5, France
    • Cape Wrath Trail, Scotland
    • Coast-to-Coast + Lake District Loop, England
  • North America
    • Appalachian Trail
      • Presidential Traverse and White Mountains, NH
    • Arizona Trail
      • Paria Canyon/Buckskin Gulch, UT/AZ
    • Continental Divide Trail
      • Colorado
      • Montana
      • Wyoming
        • Teton Crest Trail (+ side trips)
        • Wind River High Route
    • North Country Trail
      • Isle Royale
      • Superior Hiking Trail
    • Pacific Crest Trail
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • Northern California
      • The Sierra
        • John Muir Trail, CA
      • Southern California
  • Oceania
    • Te Araroa
      • Northland
      • Auckland
      • Waikato/King Country
      • Manawatu
      • Wellington
      • Nelson/Marlboro
      • Canterbury
      • Otago
      • Southland
  • South America
    • Aconcagua, Argentina
    • Torres del Paine, Chile “O” Circuit Trek

Te Araroa

Play Pause Unmute Mute

Te Araroa means “the long pathway” in Maori. Completed in 2011, it’s a 3,000-kilometer continuous trail extending from Cape Reinga on the North Island to Bluff on the South.

I hadn’t the faintest idea if I possessed the grit, the fortitude and determination, and the sheer pig-headedness to stick with a walk of 1,864 miles.
July 5, 2018

Te Araroa, New Zealand – Oct-Mar, 2018—19

Read More »
I love my work as a classical music radio host, but I wanted to see what a long distance thru-hike would do to my body, mind and spirit so asked for a leave.
October 1, 2018

TA audio narrative: who is this “blissful hiker” you speak of?

Read More »
When in doubt, make a fool of yourself.
October 15, 2018

TA audio narrative: Does orange make my butt look fat?

Read More »
The great philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wants us to be wanderers, “though not as a traveler to a final destination: for this destination does not exist.”
October 21, 2018

TA audio narrative: no outcomes backpacking

Read More »
The Blissful Hiker packs her ultralight gear for New Zealand.
October 25, 2018

TA video: ready or not…

Read More »
It’s less 'seize the day' at this point then let it happen and be present while it does.
October 27, 2018

TA…and away she goes!

Read More »
Cape Reinga, the northernmost tip of New Zealand
October 29, 2018

TA Day 1, Cape Reinga to Twilight Camp – 13 km

Read More »
Rain passes through at Scott Point above Ninety Mile Beach, a relentless expanse of sand walked for three solid days.
October 29, 2018

TA Day 2, Twilight Camp to Maunganui Bluff – 28 km

Read More »
Spirula or Ram's horn shell on Ninety Mile Beach.
October 30, 2018

TA Day 3, Maunganui Bluff to Utea Park – 30 km

Read More »
October 31, 2018

TA audio narrative: suddenly D-day

Read More »
Blow Carting near Ahipara.
November 1, 2018

TA Day 4, Utea Park to Ahipara, 32 km

Read More »
November 2, 2018

TA Day 5, Takahue Saddle Road to below Umaumakaroo – 16 km

Read More »
There's nothing like putting wet and muddy shoes on in the morning.
November 3, 2018

TA Day 6, Umaumokaroo to Apple Dam – 26 km

Read More »
Kauri bark has a hammer-mark texture and continuously sheds its outer bark in large scales to prevent climbing or perching plants from gaining a permanent hold.
November 4, 2018

TA Day 7, Apple Dam to Puketi Forest camp – 36 km

Read More »
A welcome sign and snacks left by trail angels.
November 5, 2018

TA Day 8, Puketi Forest to Kerikeri – 27 km

Read More »
Oysters are farmed on log wooden piers in the Whangaroa Bay near Kaeo.
November 6, 2018

TA Day 9 – zero day, Kaeo

Read More »
Load More

navigation

  • BOOK ALISON
  • SPEAKING
    • EMCEE and HOST
    • ALL SPEAKING TOPICS
    • Quit With Grit
    • Stepping into Joy
    • At the Speed of Andante
    • Alison’s Travelogues
  • WRITING
    • hike diary
    • insights
  • PODCASTING
    • blissful hiker
    • walking distance
  • About
Become a Patron!

join alison's mailing list

Facebook-f Instagram Youtube Linkedin

The solo female middle-aged titanium reinforced long-distance backpacker inspiring you to hike your own hike.

Alison Young Blissful Hiker

© 2023 Blissful Hiker Productions, all rights reserved