TAUMARUNUI – TE KUITI
Section Distance = 161 km
Total Distance = 2026 km
Back to finish the north island!!!
Roadwalking in a cyclone to kick it off 😅 but at least I didn’t have to worry about river crossings. Chose to sleep on the floor of the shelter rather than trying to set my tent up in the deluge 🌧🌧🌧
The next 3 days I hiked the length of the Timber Trail learning about the old logging routes, crossing my longest swing bridge yet (Maramataha Bridge 141m long) and getting absolutely soaked…
The old growth totara forest was brimming with birdlife and although I didn’t hear the elusive Kokako there was Kereru, Fantails, Kaka, Tomtit, Robins and Riflemen.
After the beautiful Timber Trail the loooong roadwalk to Mangaokewa North was a bit boring and absolutely killed my feet 😒 but some lovely farmers have set up a little camp shelter at the end of the road which was a very welcome relief!
The tent side for the night was determined by density of sheep poo 🐑🤣🏕
I never realized how loud sheep chew until I had 30 of them grazing right outside my tent at 9pm that night 😅
The final day into Te Kuiti follows the Mangaokewa River Track and let’s just say the 20km’s presented a few challenges… gorse, blackberry, slips to bushbash around, cattle trod farmland and walking on a constant 45 degree angle to name a few! I was very happy to reach Te Kuiti and it’s lovely trail angel Sue 😇
What do you do to keep yourself motivated on those boring road walks or faffy annoying trail days?
My go to is to pop the music on and let the beats distract me from my sore feet 🎶🎶🎶
The Adventures of Tiny_Tramper 