Te Araroa Trail Maps

Te Araroa Trail Maps

May not be of much interest to most, but if you’re planning on doing the Te Araroa trail in New Zealand, or just fancy having a closer look at what me and Nicky are going to be doing for the next 6 months, then here’s all the maps (268.4MB).

I can’t guarantee the route I’ve drawn on is accurate, the route itself is constantly changing, but also expect a fair amount of human error! If you use these maps follow your judgement and common sense, over the orange line. I didn’t get around to making all the map notes I’d of liked too.. but I’ve run out of time now and need to get on with other stuff. My plan is to check for the latest route descriptions and read people’s journals to find out info about the next section as we go and then doodle these notes onto my printed out maps. I’ve left a space on every page to be used for this purpose.

Info about the maps:

  • I made them A4 size for printing (ink-jet or laser)
  • They are all .gif format (small file size, no artifacting)
  • The route drawn on has little white dots every mile (can’t get my head round distances in KMs)
  • There’s 103 maps in total, so you’ll need 52 pieces of paper to print them all out (both sides)
  • Split into North Island and South Island folders, all numbered consecutively from north to south
  • I’ve also done a total of 57 sheets of alternate routes, more on that later..

I always enjoy the pre-walk planning and mapping stage, although I’ve never bitten off anything even remotely as complex or long as this before (CDT maps were already done by Jonathan Ley). Got to say a big thank you to Land Information New Zealand who made all the 1:50,000 scale topographic maps and hats off to you for making them all freely downloadable :) The Te Araroa Trust for building the trail in the first place and providing all the route descriptions on their site. And most importantly to Geoff Chapple who founded the trust 16 years ago and who has been spearheading it’s development ever since.

When you’re following a pre-defined route, there’s always the temptation to work out a few variations that suit you’re own preference of terrain etc. While mapping the trail I managed to rack up more than I was expecting, 57 maps worth in total! I’ve got no idea how many, if any of these we’ll do, those sort of decisions usually make themselves at the time. But if you’re interested, these can be downloaded too (164.9MB).

Word of warning though – I’ve never been to New Zealand, so have absolutely no personal experience whether these are any good or not. I think they are all probably longer and more difficult than the official route.. But they do follow the same numbering as the official route maps (just with a ‘b’ after the number) so you can see where they fit into the trail.

If anyone other than me & Nicky end up using the maps, let me know how you get on!

16 thoughts on “Te Araroa Trail Maps

  1. Pingback: Maps and navigation | Te Araroa Super-Tramp

  2. Hey Cookie,
    Great maps, I like these more than the TA sites; however, I’m having trouble printing them out. I’m in the US and only have 8.5″X11″ or 11″X17″ paper. When I open the map files, they are opened in internet explorer and when I try to print them, they keep getting cropped. Any suggestions?

  3. Cookie – THANK YOU for the incredible maps. I’m convinced that they are better than the official maps (& easier to use) and will be using them in my upcoming thru-tramp of the TAT.

    As Kevin mentioned above, there has been changes to the route since you hiked & filling in the current track notes on the maps is highly advisable.

    Aloha & Mahalo,
    freebird
    Kauai, Hawaii

  4. Thank you so much for the time and effort that you put into these maps, but mostly for not being selfish and publishing them for us all to use! I’m flying out to NZ in 2 days to begin the trail and have printed your maps up to use for navigation.

    For anyone considering using these maps on the trail, there have been a fair amount of changes to the official TA route since Cookie made these maps. That being said, I’m going to be using his set because they are more clearly laid out than the “official” set on the TA website. Anyone using Cookie’s maps needs to take the time to reference them against the official set and to take note of the route changes. Most of the changes take you off of the road and put you on a trail. Less road walking is a good thing! I have also read through the track descriptions on the TA site and added notation throughout my set of Cookie’s maps. Doing this will be well worth your time!! The maps alone will only get you so far; the track descriptions provide a great deal of important information. These maps also have grid reference coordinates scattered throughout in little blue numbers, and these can be used to check against your GPS to see where you are. However, not every map has both the northing and easting numbers visible, but if you put some effort in to lining up your maps and transferring the correct numbers from one map to another, you will be set to navigate with all of these maps through grid coordinates.

    These maps are an amazing resource but I just wanted to make sure that people know that simply printing these up will not be adequate. But once you reference them against the TA website maps and descriptions, you’re gold! Thanks Cookie!

  5. Hey Cookie

    Is there anywhere on your sites that you have a gear list. I watched your continental divide documentary and love it. I saw that your bag looks the same as the one your using on the te Araroa trail. And was wondering what bag it is. And also how you guys got your bags to be so light. I might have to go a bit heavier than you seeing as I dont quite have the money to go that light. But Its all good. Im so excited for the adventure. I hope this finds you well and that NZed is treating you the same. Much love.

  6. Wow, awesome job on the maps Simon, your a legend!

    I’ll be setting out mid December (with the use of your maps)

    I’ve been following you and Nickys progress and it looks like your having an awesome time.

    Good luck! :)

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  10. Kiramiko – The maps are available to download from LINZ (Land Information NZ) as he mentions in his post.

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