Wilderness

Each issue of Wilderness takes its readers to the most beautiful areas in New Zealand, whether by foot, mountain bike, sea kayak, raft, pony or dream.

THE TRAMPING MEALS SURE TO PLEASE

Wilderness

LETTER of the MONTH

YOUR TRIPS, YOUR PIX • What did you get up to last weekend?

A BOX OF BEER FOR ACCESS

‘PLEASE DON’T LOCK ANYONE INSIDE’

READY, SET, GO! GREAT WALK BOOKINGS OPEN IN MAY

Walking through watercolours

MISSION COMPLETE: 11 GREAT WALKS IN 11 DAYS

Superwalker stepping out for nature • A once paralysed Walk1200km participant shares how she walked nearly 6000km!

GEAR TO HELP YOU WALK MORE THIS MONTH

FROM THE HEART • Young Italian footwear manufacturer brings innovative tech to the world of tramping shoes and boots.

#microchallenge 01- 03 winners! • Complete the #microchallenges, as these Walk1200km participants have done, and receive an exclusive, can’t-be-bought Walk1200km badge. The best effort in each challenge also receives a special prize from our partners!

April 2025 #microchallenges • In each issue, three new #microchallenges are set to add interest and silliness to your kilometres.

WHERE ARE ALL THE OLDER WOMEN? • Sixty-eight-year-old Annie Simmons completed a 3000km thru-hike of Te Araroa and says if she can do it, so can other women her age.

TRAMPING LESSONS LEARNED AFTER AN INJURY • A leg injury brought big tramping trips to a temporary end for one couple, but it didn’t mean the end of all adventure.

DEFYING THE TREND • Lizards generally prefer a warm climate, but some New Zealand species live high in the mountains — a fact that fascinates scientists.

MERINO GOES HARD WITH NUYARN • A new merino fibre spinning technique delivers a stronger fabric that does all the things we want merino to do — better!

Mt Hanley via Williamson Spur, Hanley Faces Conservation Area • Expect a fair dose of adventure and scenic views of Moke Lake as you scramble your way up Williamson Spur to Mt Hanley.

Cameron Hut, Hakatere Conservation Park • An easy(ish) walk up the Cameron River to visit the hut with the famous purple door.

Northern Walkway, Wellington City • The Northern Walkway connects points of intriguing social and natural history.

Suspension Bridge and Wairoa Loop tracks, Hūnua Ranges Regional Park • An accessible walk that feels a world away from the city.

The Elliot Tops route, West Coast • A reopened forest service route gives relatively easy access to luxurious alpine herb fields and two idyllic tarns.

KAHURANGI CALLING • A TRIP THROUGH THE MATIRI VALLEY AND ONTO THE THOUSAND ACRES PLATEAU INCLUDES SOME OF THE BEST WILDERNESS IN KAHURANGI NATIONAL PARK.

What’s in a name: From 1000 acres to 100 acre

OTHER DEVILS YOU MAY KNOW

DIVIDE AND CONQUER • ON TE ARAROA, THAT FAMILIAR ADAGE ‘HIKE YOUR OWN HIKE’ APPLIES AS MUCH TO THE SECTION-WALKER AS TO ANYONE.

TEN MUST-DO TA SECTIONS • TE ARAROA’S 3000KM IS A LOT OF GROUND TO COVER. IF YOU’RE STRAPPED FOR TIME, WHICH SECTIONS COULD YOU PICK? HERE ARE 10 MUST-DO SECTIONS AS JUDGED BY ONE THRU-TRAMPER.

THRU-HIKING FOR CHARITY AT 75 • EXPERIENCED TRAMPER SIMON SAWERS IS EMBARKING ON A 3300KM FUNDRAISER STARTING WITH TE ARAROA SOUTH ISLAND. HE ASKED WILDERNESS FOR ADVICE ON STREAMLINING HIS SET-UP.

CAPE RĒINGA: GATEWAY TO THE UNDERWORLD • WRITER, HISTORIAN AND TRANSLATOR ROSS CALMAN (NGĀTI TOA, NGĀTI RAUKAWA, NGĀI TAHU) PREVIEWS THE TRAIL’S NORTHERNMOST END AND SHARES HOW TO BE CULTURALLY RESPECTFUL AS A MANUHIRI (VISITOR).

LIGHTWEIGHT GEAR FOR TE ARAROA

WHICH TRAMPING MEAL IS FOR YOU? • Unsure which tramping-ready meal is right for you? We remove the guesswork by putting our tastebuds to the...