Te Araroa 5/11/25

Day 42, Ongarue to Taumarunui (1072)

It was a very misty morning as we set off from the camp to road walk down by the river to Taumarunui.

Misty morning

The mist lifted quickly and everything came into view. It looks quite like old English countryside in this area with some very familiar trees.

Trail and river

We walked along a gravel road that goes beside the river and railway with the main road far enough away on the other side of the river to be unobtrusive.

Ruby and Daniella on the trail 

A freight train passed and gave us a whistle and a wave as walked along, real railway children.

Passing freight train

There was an interesting gift shop and cafe along the way, unfortunately only doing lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but there were some interesting wood carvings and the girls bought a few bits of jewelry. Coffee drinks and snacks were also available.

Cafe / gift shop

The walk didn't seem to take long and we were soon in Taumarunui, a nice little town with various shops and, importantly, a New World Supermarket where various purchases were made for the evening barbeque at the campsite.

Campsite 

We were picked up from the supermarket by the canoe hire company and taken to the campsite where we organized all the hire details before barbeque and bed.

Park on the way

Te Araroa 4/11/25

Day 41, Camp Epic to Ongarue Campsite(1042)

A grey start to the day but the sun soon broke through for a great cycle ride today.

Off on the trail 

A good track all day although it was a quite rough in places with a couple of wet bits to throw the mud about.

A narrow bit

The first section climbed up to 620m before a dip and a another short climb and then a relatively steady descent to Ongarue.

A downhill bit 

The descending route follows an old logging railway through some lovely cuttings and a couple of suspension bridges that have been built to replace the old trestle bridges that the railway used.

Suspension bridge

There was an old steam winch by the track, that was in surprisingly good condition and even the marine type boiler beside it wasn't too bad although I suspect that the two didn't originally work together.

Steam winch

A bit further on there was a spiral for the railway to gain height but unfortunately there had been a rock fall in the tunnel so I was unable to enjoy the full experience.

Another bridge

All too soon after that we had arrived at the campsite and returned the bikes.

A snack stop

Peter left after a chat and a cup of tea taking our rubbish, including my old shoes with him. Another trail angel.

At the campsite 

It was early so we had plenty of time to get organized, play cards, write a blog and things before it was time to eat and get to bed and rest my butt.

1000km and the shoes are finished

Te Araroa 3/11/25

Day 40, Ngaherenga to Camp Epic (1000)

A cold night with a heavy dew in the morning but the sun soon appeared over the trees to dry things out.

Getting ready to go

Today was very different as I had hired an E bike for the next two days to cycle the Timber Trail. The bikes were delivered to the start of the trail in the morning and after a briefing we were on the way.

The Timber Trail 

The start of the trail is through native bush but it is a cycle track even if it is a bit rough and the gradient is reasonable everywhere.

The trail

I left the bike at the bottom of the path up to Pureora, at 1275m the highest hill so far. The bush path was fairly dry and it wasn't long before it climbed above the bush into scrub and eventually to the bare hilltop.

Hawk over the hill

Snow covered mountain in the distance 

Amazing views all round including a snow covered mountain, Mount Ruapehu. There was little wind on the top and it was great to sit in the sunshine eating my lunch and enjoying the view.

High point 

Back down to the bike then and continue the Timber Trail through various thickness of forest depending on which areas had been logged in the past.

The trail

There were two amazing, long, suspension bridges to cross over very sleep wooded valleys that I was told were almost devoid of vegetation twenty years ago.

Bridge number one

Bridge number two 

The trail descended some steep, scary gravel paths that I had to be careful with before leveling out near Camp Epic.

On the way

I decided to do some Glamping here and stayed in a nice bed in a hut / tent and had a good meal in the outdoor kitchen where I met two new people from the Netherlands.

Marshmallow toasting

It was a beautiful sunny evening and we all sat out round the fire pit toasting marshmallows keeping warm in the ponchos provided.

Te Araroa 2/11/25

Day 39, Mangaokewa to Ngaherenga (964)

A good night's sleep and there wasn't too much condensation in the morning for another day's walking in the sunny intervals

Evening clouds

The route for the day continues up beside the river to its source, this time on a gravel road before meeting the main road, N30.

On the road again 

We found a Terry's Chocolate Orange on the road in perfect condition and after wondering how it got there and when, we ate it. Not roadkill but close.

Still following the river

It was a long steady climb up the track to the watershed but with no traffic it was a good walk.

Interest on the way

It was a long day but the good company, when I could keep up with them, and the scenery made the long distance today go relatively easily.

Abatoir by the road

The campsite at Ngaherenga is very basic, lots of space but no facilities other than a long drop toilet and a water tap.

Sheep country 

There were other TA walkers there as well as people biking the Timber Trail but best of all Peter, Ruby's father who had brought my new shoes.

But a long road

The real reason for Peter being there was to ride the Timber Trail with Ruby over the next two days.

Campsite 

The Kaka birds were quite noisy but didn't stop me from going to sleep.

Te Araroa 1/11/25

Day 38, Te Kuti to Mangaokewa (926)

A beautiful morning again and it was very hard to get away from the campsite. Much time was spent talking to the hosts and a couple who were staying for the day before we eventually got away.

Trying to leave the Trail Angels

After the walk back to the town the trail went up beside the Mangaokewa river through bush paths, farmland and bush bashing where the recent floods had washed out the riverbank path.

Lots of water in the Mangaokewa river 

It was a beautiful walk but slower than expected mainly due to diversions, especially when we had to go through steep trackless bush.

Through the bush by the river

There was still a lot of water coming down the river and it would have been decidedly unhealthy to fall in.

Negotiating the river

There were some massive Eucalyptus Trees and a number of Sequoias along the riverbank as well.

The campsite

We eventually arrived at an excellent campsite in time to get the tents up and dry before the sun vanished behind the hills.

Interested spectators 

It was nice to get horizontal.

Te Araroa 31/10/25

Day 37, Waitoma to Te Kuiti.(907)

It was a beautiful morning when we set off down the road to Waitoma which is a tourist destination for the caves here but nothing was open at that time of the morning.

SJ, Di and Ruby on the trail leaving Waitomo

The trail today crossed farmland, patches of bush and a number of hills.

Bush and farmland 

There was a strong wind to keep the temperature down but the humidity was high and although it was a short day it felt longer.

Bush and farmland

There were some great views of the rolling farmland that is changing to sheep country as the altitude increases.

Fertile farmland

Te Kauri is a reasonable sized town and I was able to restock, do some washing and get fish and chips.

Down to Te Kuiti

Camped in a trail angel's garden, excellent facilities again with the big garage set up as a kitchen / lounge.

Lounge / Kitchen at Te Kui