Official Kiwi Families review by Emma Bassett
The set-up:
The idea of a nationwide walkway has a long history. Teams of inspired and dedicated people have brought this to life. The author was one of the original creators in 1994, establishing the Te Araroa trust. The trail has become a collection of carefully finished sections, and can now be walked from one end of the country to the other. This is a big, beautiful, glossy book of maps, tales and tips to give you the lay of the land.
I’m liking:
The book excites and inspires. You can look through it at length or dip in to a page, a photo at a time. For the enthusiasts and “through trampers” this might be the start to the dream of walking 3000km in 120 to 160 days. It can as easily be a one or two or eight hour weekend walk setting off from your backyard. I’ve had the book less than a week and have been motivated to get out and find two nearby. Sections of these are flat, with easy access, others coastal and few a bit trickier in the hills. The website takes you even further with more information on the trail and finding out more about the stories and trusts. Tip: you can download and print maps directly from the site to see you though any tricky unknowns or backcountry areas.
Things that made me go hmmmm:
The maps are oriented upside down with North (bottom of the page) to South (top of the page), to follow the Cape Reinga- Bluff direction. Slightly confusing but easy to figure out.
The conclusion:
This is a beautiful country of ours. A committed community of people have done a phenomenal job in realising a dream and making it accessible to us all. Enjoy the exploring.
1 Comment
Official Kiwi Families review by Emma Bassett
The set-up: The idea of a nationwide walkway has a long history. Teams of inspired
and dedicated people have brought this to life. The author was one of
the original creators in 1994, establishing the Te Araroa trust. The
trail has become a collection of carefully finished sections, and can
now be walked from one end of the country to the other. This is a big,
beautiful, glossy book of maps, tales and tips to give you the lay of
the land.
I’m liking: The book excites and inspires. You can look through it at
length or dip in to a page, a photo at a time. For the enthusiasts and
“through trampers” this might be the start to the dream of walking
3000km in 120 to 160 days. It can as easily be a one or two or eight
hour weekend walk setting off from your backyard. I’ve had the book
less than a week and have been motivated to get out and find two nearby.
Sections of these are flat, with easy access, others coastal and few a
bit trickier in the hills. The website takes you even further with more
information on the trail and finding out more about the stories and
trusts. Tip: you can download and print maps directly from the site to
see you though any tricky unknowns or backcountry areas.
Things that made me go hmmmm: The maps are oriented upside down with North (bottom of the
page) to South (top of the page), to follow the Cape Reinga- Bluff
direction. Slightly confusing but easy to figure out.
The conclusion: This is a beautiful country of ours. A committed community of people
have done a phenomenal job in realising a dream and making it accessible
to us all. Enjoy the exploring.