Guides

TA Alternates

Choose Your Own Path

There are a million hikes I could recommend to you to try out while you're hiking the Te Araroa. The main issue will be recommending things that can be linked together to the main trail easily and in the best case scenario provide a continuous foot path across Aotearoa. Alternates marked as (off trail) mean that it would not be able to do them while keeping a continuous footpath along the Te Araroa.

The best resource I found for my hike in 2023/2024 was a list of alternates compiled by Sean Maskill that was the seed of my inspiration. I will re-recommend some of his tracks but include some of my own that I was unable to attempt but encourage you to do so!

You should have an app that can load GPX tracks and note that all these alternates should only be attempted in good weather. I'll also list the relevant NZ Topo50 maps needed which I recommend as a backup to a generic GPS app.


Name: Around the Mountain Track
What to expect: A stunning hike around the massive volcanic cone of Ruapehu. Open views and rugged terrain. All the huts on the south side are first-come first-serve with your backcountry hut pass. You'll be begging to try and summit Ruapehu the entire time which you should attempt if the sky is clear!
Location: Between Taumarunui and National Park
Distance: ~70km
Recommendation: Yes
Resource: GPX or Topo50 BH34, BJ34, BJ35

Name: Taranaki Maunga (off trail)
What to expect: A worthwhile side trip and easy to hitch to from Whanganui. Climb one of the highest peaks on the North Island and the supposedly hardest day hike in the country. It really isn't that tough but the views are unmatched on a clear day. A view of the Tongariro peaks and even the South Island are possible. Highly recommend reaching the summit or be climbing up high for the sunrise.
Location: Hitch from Whanganui
Distance: 7km
Recommendation: Yes
Resource: Topo50 BJ29

Name: Taranaki Huts (off trail)
What to expect: Want to spend more time in Taranaki National Park? Well how about hitting every hut in the park! Surprisingly this can be done quite easily and almost all the huts fall under the backcountry hut pass.
Location: Hitch from Whanganui
Distance: 56km
Recommendation: I personally did not do this but would of if I had the time.
Resource: GPX or Topo50 BJ29

Name: Tararua Steel Ladder Route
What to expect: Some of the hardest sustained hiking you'll ever do in your life. Stunning 360deg view every step along tussock covered ridge lines. Crazy fun technical hiking and the crown jewel: a long alpine ladder up a rock stone wall. The huts all along are sure to be near empty and you'll probably have the whole route to yourself!
Location: Between Palmerston North and Waikanae
Distance: ~30km
Recommendation: Yes
Resource: GPX or Topo50 BP33

Name: Red Hill Range
What to expect: Unsure. Saw someone mention this so adding it for completness. Seems like a exposed route finding ridge line walk instead of dipping down into the valleys of the TA. Looks fun!
Location: Between Havelock and St Arnaud
Distance: ~20km
Recommendation:
Resource: GPX or Topo50 BR25

Name: Angelus Hut-Sunset Saddle
What to expect: Instead of crawling along a low lying valley, climb up to Mount Robert and stay on an alpine ridge line to the breathtaking tarns of the Travers Range. If you want to stay at the hut you must book in advance, otherwise wild camp near the tarns just west of it. A cross country climb up the cairn marked Sunset Saddle and an amazing descent back to the valley to rejoin the TA.
Location: Between St Arnuad and Boyle Village
Distance: ~30km
Recommendation: Yes
Resource: GPX or Topo50 BR24, BS24

Name: Lewis Pass (East)
What to expect: Continue along the Spenser Mountains instead of dropping to the valley floor after Waiau Pass. This is a high alpine route that requires route finding as you make you way down to the Matakitaki River. Ascend over Three Tarn Pass to hit the highway where you can resupply as normal from either Boyle Village(box) or Hanmer Springs.
Location: Between St Arnuad and Boyle Village
Distance: 50km
Recommendation: Yes. I only learned about this route after the fact but would have attempted it.
Resource: GPX or Topo50 BS24, BT23, BT24

Name: Faust Traverse
What to expect: If you don't take the Lewis Pass (East) route then you can still sneak in some great views and cross country alpine hiking. Straight from the rear of Boyle Flat Hut climb straight up to a ridge line and then route find you way across. Very lovely in the morning and not to be missed views of the St James Walkway valley.
Location: Between St Arnuad and Boyle Village
Distance: 10km
Recommendation: Yes
Resource: GPX or Topo50 BT23, BU23

Name: Lewis Pass (West)
What to expect: Don't give up on the alpine traverses yet! Have your first adventure in the Southern Alps by climbing up Lewis Tops Track and route finding down either Lucretia Stream or Duchess Stream. You have the choice to exit early via Nina Valley Track or crest Devilskin Saddle and reconnect to the TA by the Doubtful Valley Track.
Location: Between Boyle Village and Arthur's Pass
Distance: ~50km
Recommendation: Yes. I only learned about this route after the fact but would have attempted it.
Resource: GPX or Topo50 BT23, BU23

Name: Lake Mavis
What to expect: A steep climb from Goat Hut Pass you'll find a beautiful alpine lake nestled in the mountains. Crystal clear waters and unobstructed views across the valley await. This alternate requires route finding, the climb has a few misplaced cairns but otherwise it should be obvious from the topography on how to approach the lake.
Location: Between Boyle Village and Arthur's Pass
Distance: 4km
Recommendation: Yes
Resource: GPX or Topo50 BV20

Name: Arthur's Pass National Park
What to expect: There are three options here that I'd recommend. The first and easiest is the day hike up Avalanche Peak. This is affords spectacular views of the surrounding alps and will have you wanting more. To extend your trip you can do an excursion to Barker Hut, an isolated hut nestled beneath a glacier up the Waimakariri River. This can be dangerous to attempt after heavy rain as you need to ford the river. Finally if you make it to Barker Hut you can decide whether to travel down the Waimakariri River back to the TA via Carrington Hut Route or cross the Southern Alps to the west via the Three Passes Route (off trail). It would be a once in a lifetime experience and a true test of any hikers ability.
Location: Between Arthur's Pass and Methven
Distance: 9km/50km/77km
Recommendation: Yes. I had to skip this due to bad weather but the allure for Barker's Hut remains.
Resource:

Name: Ball Pass Route (off trail)
What to expect: Hitching to Aoraki National Park is usually on hikers itinerary while in the country. This route take you deep into the Southern Alps as well as bringing you nearby to swing to Hooker Hut and Sefton Bivvy. Extensive details here and in summary a challenging traverse that may require snow gear.
Location: Between Lake Tekapo and Twizel
Distance: 30km
Recommendation: If snow is manageable. I only learned about this route after the fact and have not yet attempted it.
Resource: GPX or Topo50 BX15, BX16

Name: Melina Ridge
What to expect: A well cut 4WD track that brings you up amongst the surrounding peaks instead staying down in the valleys. You pass by Mount Prospect which is a nice summit to end a day with. Reconnect with the TA and stay at Top Timaru Hut.
Location: Between Twizel and Wanaka
Distance: ~20km
Recommendation: Yes
Resource: GPX or Topo50 CA13, CA14

Name: Coronet-Moonlight Track
What to expect: Avoid heading down into Arrowtown and walking through urban sprawl to Queenstown. From Big Hill Saddle continue along Brow Peak Route to Coronet Peak and down to the ski field parking lot. Either hitch down to Arthurs Point or walk and connect there to the Moonlight Track around Bowen Peak to summit Ben Lomond on the other side. Finally walk into downtown Queenstown for your resupply.
Location: Between Wanaka and Queenstown
Distance: 45km
Recommendation: This was just mentioned to me as a possible alternate by a passing hiker. It seems reasonable if you don't do the Cascade Saddle alternate but you should do the Cascade Saddle alternate instead!
Resource: GPX or Topo50 CB11, CC11

Name: Gillespie + Rabbit Pass Traverse (off trail)
What to expect: Hitch to Blue Pool Walkway and begin a massive expedition to Aspiring Valley. First is Great Walk like track leading you over Gillespie Pass with a river ford to join the Wilkin Valley Track. Next is the precarious waterfall ascent over Rabbit Pass, a dangerous deer path that is sketchy even on a good day. After making it safely over you descend down the Matukituki River East Branch to Raspberry Creek Carpark where you can connect to the next alternate, Cascade Saddle. In summary this is an extended backcountry jaunt over dangerous terrain for the experienced hiker wanting to get into the middle of the South Island's majesty.
Location: Between Twizel and Wanaka
Distance: 92km
Recommendation: Yes. I had to skip this due to bad weather.
Resource:

Name: Cascade Saddle-Rees/Dart Track
What to expect: A steep climb from Aspiring Valley, an unforgettable view of Dart Glacier and a descent down Te Awa Whaktipu or Rees River. A must see if the weather is good.
Note: For this to be part of a continuous TA thruhike it requires a 52km road walk from Wanaka. You'll want to resupply at the end of this alternate by hitching into Queenstown.
Location: Between Wanaka and Queenstown
Distance: ~60km(+52km road if continuous)
Recommendation: Yes
Resource: GPX or Topo50 CA10, CA11, CB09, CB10

Name: Five Passes Route
What to expect: Spend a week wild camping in the Humboldt Mountains, route finding your way through isolated bliss. Cross Sugarloaf Pass, Park Pass, Cow Saddle, Fiery Col and finally Fohn Saddle. This amazing loop can connect to the Cascade Saddle alternate with a ford of the daunting Te Awa Whaktipu on the east side and also connects directly via trail to the Routeburn. Most likely you'll resupply from Queenstown before and after this loop before continuing forward.
Location: North of Queenstown
Distance: 56km
Recommendation: Yes. I did not attempt this due to bad weather.
Resource:

Name: Routeburn-Greenstone
What to expect: Test your hiker legs against the smooth grading of a Great Walk. Stunning views from Routeburn Flats all the way to Lake Mackenzie Hut. Considered the best hike by most kiwis I met. Spend a night sleeping in the Valley of the Trolls if your schedule allows. Easily reconnect back to the TA via the Greenstone Track.
Note: No camping within 500m of a Great Walk and the huts along the Greenstone require payment(you may camp for free with a backcountry hut pass).
Location: Between Queenstown and Te Anau
Distance: 52km
Recommendation: Yes
Resource: GPX or Topo50 CB09, CC09

Name: Mount Luxmore (off trail)
What to expect: Skip doing the Kepler and instead just do the day trip up to Luxmore Peak. You get the most spectacular alpine views of the Great Walk without needing to book any huts.
Note: No camping within 500m of a Great Walk, that being said there are some popular wild camp spots people use for the Kepler Track.
Location: Te Anau
Distance: ~44km
Recommendation: Yes
Resource: GPX or Topo50 CD07, CD08

Name: Rakiura(Stewart Island)
What to expect: You've finished the TA this point if SOBO and you don't want to go back to normal life. Well this remote island is full of kiwi(bird) and has a loop trail sprinkled with huts to keep you busy. A remote hike along the edges of one of the least populated areas of the country is just a ferry ride away. You can do one of the smaller loops or just do it all in one big send.
Location: South of Bluff
Distance: ~165km
Recommendation: If you have the time. I had to skip this due to injury.
Resource: GPX or Topo50 CH08, CH09, CH10, CJ08, CJ09, CJ10

Questions? Comments? Contact me directly!