Te Araroa Trail – Part 6

TARARUA RANGE ROUND 2

“The best view come after the hardest climb!”

Section Distance = 57km

Total Distance = 628km

I’m back!!! After having to skip the high ranges on my hike north from Wellington due to severe weather warnings this time around I was greeted with a glorious sunny day to brighten up the STEEP muddy track up Gable End Ridge to Te Matawai Hut!

The whole ridge I would be traversing the next day could be seen and 5 other TA’s turned up at the hut that evening.

The hike from Te Matawai Hut started with an initial incline through a tussock covered track to the ridge. The morning cloud lifted to reveal 360 degree views over the ranges and I was glad for the clear weather and minimal wind whilst following the undulating ridge.

I lost the trail several times in the moss forests today but the GPS got me back on track and after a hard hike I made it to Nichols Hut for the night.

A 6 bunk hut nestled in the mountains with epic views it was definitely worth the effort it took to reach it!!!

I was up bright and early, or still dark and early in this case for the climb up to Mt Crawford for sunrise 🌅

Absolutely stunning view to start the day before the loooong steep descent all the way to Parawai Hut.

It took almost 12 hours to reach Otaki Forks from Nichols Hut and after a chance to stretch my legs along the ridge, the steep descent took me back into beautiful forest with a lot of deadfall, slips and downed trees to negotiate (which I did very ungracefully 😅)

The heavens opened about an hour out from the hut (in which I learnt that my raincoat leaks) but thankfully didn’t get torrential until after I arrived!

The final stretch along the Pukeatua Track through to Waikanae led me through stunning misty forest (I will never get tired of the green) and although the track was slippery after all the rain last night it was a much nicer gradient on the knees!!!

The tararuas are always a challenge but despite falling in the mud several times, being stuck between two trees (I may have forgotten my pack was wider than me…) and some hard climbs, the forests and the views are absolutely worth all the effort!!!

Up next…. south island!!!