Te Araroa Solo Woman Safety
Understanding and managing risk for solo women while hiking New Zealand’s 3,000 kilometre Te Araroa
When planning to hike Aotearoa New Zealand’s 3,000 kilometre Te Araroa trail, I had the usual safety concerns like navigating a fast flowing river, becoming lost in the bush, suffering from hypothermia or possible injuries which were all dangers that I could anticipate and plan for.
In this blog however, I’m not going to address those general or environmental safety concerns. Instead, what I will be discussing are safety issues unique to us women hikers.
Specifically, the danger that is presented by the one thing that women worldwide have learnt to fear the most, and that is men.
This article is not meant to scare anyone nor to discourage solo woman hikers from walking Te Araroa alone, in fact it is to bring those fears into the light and to give you the confidence to get out there and have your best adventure.
The courage to face our fears
When you’re planning your Te Araroa journey, whether the cause of your fear is real or perceived, or even someone else’s anxiety which they’re projecting on to you, you’ll need to come to terms with it if you’re to enjoy your Te Araroa experience to the fullest.
We all come from a different place with our own unique set of challenges and while some situations may be comfortable for others, they may not be for you or for me. The biggest issue in dealing with our fears, doubts and worries is not to allow those emotions hold us back from taking on epic and life changing adventures.
“Tūwhitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitū!
Feel the fear and do it anyway!”
Is Te Araroa dangerous for a solo woman hiker
While no adventure in the outdoors can be guaranteed to be completely safe, if you as a solo woman hiker have the right mindset, skills and proper gear, hiking Te Araroa can be very safe.
Solo male hiker versus solo female hiker safety
As women, inevitably when we announce that we’re going on a solo hike in the backcountry, we’re asked if we’ll be safe on our own. The inference being that as mere women, we’ve not the ability, strength nor skills that a man has.
Growing up, the traditional socialisation process leads men, from the time that they are little boys, to engage in more risky behaviour than women. Furthermore, they’ll be supervised less by someone who might protest them from risk.
In New Zealand, men are more likely to make an ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) claim than women. In fact over 68% of ACC claims are made by men compared to fewer than 32% made by women.
To anyone that’s spent a bit of time around teenage boys as I did while raising two sons along with all their mates, those statistics will come as no surprise.
Maybe as women, we just take more care.
Travelling alone as a woman compared to as a man
Travelling alone as a woman is not the same as travelling alone as a man, like it or not, the average man is physically much stronger than the average woman. It’s not a fair fight and that’s what makes us an easier target which may come in the form of disrespectful comments or actions.
In many cultures, woman are still not viewed as equal however I’d like to hope that in Aotearoa New Zealand, while we’ve still a long way to go, we’re better than average.
Andrew and Sharon, Slatey Hut, Richmond Range, Te Araroa, New Zealand
Aotearoa New Zealand is a Hiker’s Paradise
To give a global perspective, Te Araroa is in Aotearoa New Zealand, a country that has an international reputation as being a safe destination. The crime rate here is relatively low and New Zealanders are habitually warm and welcoming towards foreigners.
New Zealand also has a small population base, there’s only about five million of us and more than 90% of Kiwis live in an urban environment. The remaining population live scattered across rural areas which are very sparsely populated.
When you check where Te Araroa actually goes, you’ll quickly see that for the majority of your time, you’ll be far from any population.
Bad things can and do happen anywhere however statistically, they’re more likely to happen in a highly populated area such as the town that you live in right now. Yet no one says to you in those circumstance, “but aren’t you scared?”
The fewer people, the less chance of unwelcome encounters.
As a woman and a mum, safety is deeply ingrained in my psyche and for me, it’s second nature to always be on the look out for dangers of all types.
Specific dangers for a solo woman hiker on Te Araroa
Safety concerns when hiking Te Araroa
It doesn’t matter if your concerns are based on reality or on you’re overly active imagination. If it’s a concern to you, it’s more than real and at the time can be very disturbing if not downright frightening.
Not living my best life after being blown off my feet, Tararua Range, Te Araroa, New Zealand
Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park
I arrived later than planned to the trailhead on my first day of solo hiking in the Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park. Many hours later I was approaching the Mangamate Hut as night fell.
I’d already run through the various scenarios as to who might be there and dependent on that, what my plan would be.
For emergencies and as many of the huts in Aotearoa New Zealand are offered on a first in first served basis, I always carry a tent and like having the flexibility that offers.
You can imagine my relief as I rounded the last corner to see a couple of family groups including children relaxing on the hut deck. As it turned out the hut, which is tiny, was full so I ended up using my tent anyway and established my campsite within cooee of the hut.
When I spoke to the other hikers in the morning, remarking on how freezing cold the night had been, they all commented how toasty they were in the hut!
Mind you, if I’d been in the hut with all those people snoring, I’d not have heard the kiwi calling back and forth across the valley which was an extraordinary experience and one that none of the other hikers had.
Note: Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park is not part of Te Araroa.
Unwanted encounters or interactions with others
For a solo woman hiker, unwanted encounters can range from a minor inconvenience to a more serious threat.
For example;
Uncomfortable conversations
Have you ever had a conversation with someone that made you feel uncomfortable? You know the type, when you hear something and initially may have wondered if you’d misunderstood the intent or tone. Only to then quickly realise that no, you didn’t misunderstand and the conversation is not welcome and perhaps has the potential or is actually leading to harassment.
Harassment
More intimidating for a solo woman hiker is blatant harassment which can include unwanted verbal or physical advances, particularly when you’re all alone with the bully.
While it’s important to be aware of the potential risks of an unwelcome encounter, don’t let them deter you from enjoying the outdoors. Trust your gut instinct, if something feels off then move on or find a group to hang out with and share your concerns.
With careful planning and preparedness, you can minimise the chances of such encounters and have a safe and enjoyable Te Araroa hiking experience.
“You have to believe in yourself.”
Self-perception of vulnerability
As a solo female hiker or backpacker you may perceive yourself as being more vulnerable due to the societal norms that you’ve grown up with and the gendered expectations about safety and risk in the outdoors.
Let’s take a closer look at this perceived vulnerability:
Societal expectations
Women hikers in general are often perceived as needing protection (by a man) or being more susceptible to danger, even in situations where risk is largely objective
Gendered safety concerns
Solo women hikers may feel more vulnerable around other hikers, particularly around men, due to historical and ongoing safety concerns
Limited experience
If a hiker hasn’t much or only limited experience in an outdoor setting, they may feel less confident in their ability to navigate risks
Sharon crossing through Mount Linton Station, Birchwood, Te Araroa, New Zealand
While it’s understandable to feel vulnerable when hiking solo and especially as a woman, it’s important to remember that with proper preparation and awareness, we can minimise those risks.
By focusing on self-sufficiency, building our confidence and trusting our gut instincts, we too can enjoy the benefits of exploring the outdoors independently.
Mental and emotional challenges
Solo hiking the 3,000 kilometre Te Araroa will be a deeply enriching experience for you and one which you are as entitled as the next hiker to enjoy.
Yet having said that, it’s perfectly normal to experience mental and emotional highs and lows along the way. After all, you’re going to be on the trail for many months and just like in your off trail life, there’s going to be good and not so good days.
I vlogged our entire 133 day Te Araroa journey and took pains to include the good, the bad and the ugly. Check out the vlogs for a reminder of how those highs and lows manifested themselves.
Believe me, it’s not all rainbows and unicorns though you’ll probably see a few of those too - rainbows that is!
Tararua Rainbows and Unicorns Te Araroa, New Zealand
Mental and emotional challenges are of course not gender specific and I mention them here merely to bring your awareness to a handful that you may experience while solo hiking Te Araroa.
Raw emotions
Thru hiking evokes a range of exceptionally raw emotions all the way from exhilaration and awe to challenges and even fear. These feelings stem from the physical exertion, the sensory experience of nature and the mental connection with the outdoors
Fear of loneliness
Embracing the great outdoors and all that solitude can be a positive experience for some people while for others it may be their first time being alone in the wilderness or alone anywhere for that matter and that can be quite an adjustment
Burnout
Long distance hikes such as Te Araroa can leave hikers feeling physically and mentally exhausted, leading to burnout
Burnt out in the Richmond Ranges
We’d enjoyed a long lunch break with our trail family however as Andrew and I left Starveall Hut high on the Richmond Range and en route to Slaty Hut, my anxiety rose to match the elevation.
Within an hour of setting out, I was clinging to the loose rocks convinced that if I went a step further, I’d slide hundreds of feet off the side of the mountain to an inevitable and messy death far below.
I was fit and strong having spent the morning powering up the trail from the Browning Hut and as I said, we’d enjoyed a long break. The weather was perfect with hardly a breeze and the forecast promised continued favourable conditions for our hike over Mount Rintoul.
I’d watched our trail family go on ahead, climbing steadily away from us before disappearing from sight, knowing we’d catch up that night at the hut.
There was no logical reason for my reaction.
With the benefit of hindsight, I was simply burnt out. We’d been on the trail for 80 days without a break and I was mentally and emotionally fatigued.
As a content creator, I worked the entire trail, answering queries when I could, responding to emails and creating a daily vlog. The filming, production and uploading of the vlog alone took about two hours a day on top of the physical demands of the trail.
Our couple of so called zero days were spent racing around resupplying or replacing equipment on top of which I had to take advantage of the electricity and internet connection to create and share content.
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.”
Like most people walking Te Araroa, we had a time limit that we had to meet and I’d failed to appreciate how fatigued I’d become prior to entering the Richmond Ranges.
Here's your opportunity to get answers to all those curly questions. Book a personalised video call with me and ask anything travel related.
Tips for staying safe on Te Araroa
The following tips are relevant to all hikes and are skills that you can build on over time.
Carry the necessary gear
Being self sufficient is critical in that you’ll not need to depend on someone else that you’d rather not spend time with. It’s also critical in that you may become separated from your hiking buddies for any number of reasons and will still be able to manage on your own.
Sharon Evans packing for Te Araroa, New Zealand
Consider your gear choices
When choosing my Te Araroa gear I wanted something that would stand out on a gloomy day and make me happy so when it came to my rain jacket, I chose a beautifully cheerful pink one. Now of course the colour wasn’t my only or even my first consideration, the jacket had to be functional as well but you get what I mean.
However if I were to hang that same jacket outside my tent to dry overnight, it would undoubtedly announce to all and sundry that this was a woman’s tent. Ideally, make your campsite appear gender neutral.
The same goes for your tent though I’ve yet to see one that matched my pink jacket for colour! If you’re planning to stealth camp, a tent that is a camouflage or dull colour may be more appropriate if you wish to remain invisible.
Be deliberate in choosing your campsite
As you approach trailheads and towns, you’ll meet more people who may be out on day hikes or similar. Usually this is not an issue however where there’s more people, there’s more potential for unpleasant encounters.
Particularly when on your own, be wary of wild camping in view of the trailhead, road or town. The closer a hut is to the trailhead, the more likely it is to be accessed by non Te Araroa or other genuine hikers and unfortunately, some of those people have no right to be in the outdoors.
Uncouth behaviour
We saw and heard the negative results of a hut being accessible by 4WD near the Mavora Lakes. Having vehicle access meant a group of young louts were able to drive in with their alcohol, party all night, attempt to light fires out of the surrounding matagouri and generally unsettle the nearby Te Araroa hikers who had set up camp.
By the time we arrived the next day, the hut was a mess with burnt matagouri scrub scattered around and a long drop with empty beer cans in it.
No matter how big and strong you are, you can’t reason with a pack of louts under the influence of alcohol. Te Araroa hikers who had been camped there moved on before things got further out of hand.
Understand trail conditions
Make sure ahead of time you know what you’re getting yourself into. The trail notes are your guide to walking Te Araroa. They provide detailed information to help you plan your walk section by section. Available online and with the trail notes app. It’s recommended you use the app as the notes are updated regularly as conditions change.
Richmond Range, NZ Topographic Map, Te Araroa, New Zealand
Practice your navigation skills
This may come as a surprise to you but Te Araroa is not a contiguous trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff. Rather, it’s comprised of a number of trails, beaches, towns, rivers and connecting roads. Even when on trail, there’s plenty of places where the trail is unclear and the trail markers are few and far between.
It’s always easier to figure stuff out in good weather with plenty of visibility but the chances are, you may be in a whiteout trying to find your way. Knowing how to read a topographical map is essential.
Be aware of your surroundings
Always be aware of your surroundings and having just mentioned a whiteout, this may be more challenging than you anticipate.
When Andrew and I were cresting Stag Saddle which is the highest point of the entire Te Araroa, the cloud came in and our visibility was severely reduced. In those unpleasant conditions, we had no reason to hang about and started searching for the track down the mountain.
Even though both of us were using NZ Topo topographic maps which allowed us to pinpoint our exact location we couldn’t initially find the route and in the cloud unnecessarily skirted a difficult sidling.
Stay on marked trails
Although just above I gave an example of when Andrew and I were off the marked trail it wasn’t intentional. To the best of your ability, remain on the marked trails though don’t just follow the maps or trail markers blindly.
By this I mean use your initiative as the backcountry is a dynamic place where conditions can and do change rapidly. We had more than one instance where a landslide blocked the track and we had to find an alternative route.
Another time, when we were alongside the Taramakau River, we watched with concern as a couple of NOBO’s (north bound hikers) attempted to cross the river where the trail was shown on the topographic map. Within a couple of metres of the opposite riverbank, this couple were up to their waists in the swiftly flowing water and it was a relief to see them retreat back to the safety of the bank.
We were unable to communicate over the roar of the river so continued further downstream and then crossed over the braided river where even for me, the river was knee high at the most. The other couple had watched us from across the river and fortunately then crossed safely at the same place.
Take safety gear and communications devices
For me, taking safety gear is a non negotiable part of my equipment and it must be for you also.
While New Zealand’s mobile phone coverage network is good in urban areas, you’ll not have reliable coverage in the backcountry which is where you are heading on Te Araroa. Being able to communicate with others can be a lifesaver in an emergency and it’s best practice to carry a second communication device rather than rely on your mobile phone.
In addition to your phone, take a satellite messenger device or a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and know how to use them before you NEED to use them. New Zealand’s Mountain Safety Council have a very good article that includes a comparison between the features of a PLB, Mountain Radio, Satellite Messenger Device, Satellite Phone and a Mobile Phone.
It may surprise you that the mobile phone provides the least features for emergency purposes. PLB’s and satellite messenger devices can be hired so there’s no excuses for not having one.
Be prepared to manage emergencies
As a solo woman hiker, there’s times that you’ll be on your own and you have to be prepared for all eventualities.
While not meaning to be alarmist, a small accident, say a twisted ankle, could become serious if it means an unplanned night on a mountain with limited shelter.
Yvonne’s Story
Having skipped straight to the Mangamuka forest trailhead and within only three hours of starting her entire Te Araroa adventure, Yvonne who was hiking alone, had slipped in the relentless mud and hurt herself.
Fortunately for Yvonne, as she didn’t carry an emergency device, there was mobile phone coverage and long after dark, the Search and Rescue team were finally able to reach her. They assisted her out the following morning after what must have been a very cold, wet and miserable night.
Goldie’s Story
It was well after hiker midnight (8pm) and we’d all just settled in for the night at the Crooked Spur Hut. I was listening to the quiet snores from across the way when I heard a noise from the bunk above. Goldie’s sleeping bag appeared over the edge and with her in it landed in a crumpled heap on the concrete floor beside me.
Within seconds her Dad was at her side, how she missed smashing her head on the wooden table and platform let alone the concrete is anyone’s guess. Moment’s later both Nik and Xavier, who off trail are doctors, were in attendance.
The reason I share Yvonne and Goldie’s stories are to remind you that accidents big and small can happen in an instant and on trail we’re all responsible for keeping an eye out not only for ourselves but also for others and making sure that they’re okay.
Both Yvonne and Goldie were able to continue with their walk, Yvonne after a week’s rest, and Goldie the very next day which just goes to show that when you’re only seven, you bounce so much better than when you’re older!
“Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are”
Learn self-defence techniques
Okay I get it, if you’re starting on trail next week, you may have run out of time for this one, but seriously, come back to this idea.
Many years ago when I lived in Canberra, Australia I took jujitsu self defence classes and even after over three decades (!) I still remember the feeling of confidence I had on completing the class. Plus importantly, I still know some of the moves.
To this day, my best form of self-defence is in avoidance, not in avoiding going out hiking alone but in avoiding or extracting myself from a potentially risky situation.
Avoid walking alone on the trail
This may appear contrary to all I’ve said above about how woman can manage alone in the outdoors and you may wonder at my point if you’re focused on your independence.
What I am suggesting is, should you experience feelings of vulnerability or fear, buddy up with some other hikers.
Te Araroa is a very social experience, when Andrew and I walked Te Araroa, we had only one night out of 133 nights on trail, where we were the only ones in a camp. That is, aside from a couple of very friendly mice who thought we might share our snacks.
Be open to hiking with others
Don’t dismiss the opportunity to hike with others too quickly. We found our time spent with other hikers added immeasurably to the whole adventure. Those shared times and experiences will never be forgotten and we made many lifelong friends from all over the world.
There’s also times that it just makes sense to buddy up with other hikers such as for difficult river crossings, sketchy mountain passes, in challenging weather and for hitchhiking.
Te Araroa’s hiking community provides each other with support and encouragement which makes it easier for us all to stay safe and motivated.
Trail Family at Retaruke, Te Araroa, New Zealand
Be circumspect
As a solo woman hiker it’s a good idea to remain circumspect as to who you share your plans with. Clearly you’ll remain in touch with your trusted person back home (hi to all the Mum’s out there) but why not go one step further and give them access to your tracking device so that in an emergency they can offer very real assistance.
New Zealand trail etiquette is such that when you meet another hiker on trail, you’ll say hello. This may be a brief nod and hello in passing or a longer stop and a chat to share trail intelligence and gossip.
I’ve always enjoyed these impromptu meetings and remember the excitement when walking the Pelorus Track we finally met our first north bound Te Araroa hikers.
Southbound and northbound drilled each other equally for information as to what might lie ahead, both a little in awe of what the other had already experienced.
Tokomaru Shelter, Tararua Ranges, Te Araroa, New Zealand
You don’t however need to tell every Tom, Dick and Harry where you plan to camp or stop for the night. If you’re not comfortable, it’s easy to be vague saying something like “I’ll just keep walking until it’s dark or until I find a nice spot”.
For the guys that are reading this article, don’t ask women where they plan to camp, while your query is no doubt innocent, you’ll make them feel uncomfortable.
Be rude
If someone is making you feel uncomfortable, be rude to them. I appreciate this might go against everything you’ve been brought up to believe is right (and is feminine) but don’t take nonsense from anyone and I mean anyone.
It’s important to remember that as a solo woman hiker, you don’t owe anything to anyone, not your time, your company nor your space. If something feels off and you have the confidence, call them out. If you’ve not the confidence to do that, and don’t even feel that you should or that it’s your duty to address the issue, simply square your shoulders and walk confidently away.
Takahue, Kaitaia, Te Araroa, New Zealand
Offend people
If you’ve been getting bad vibes from someone, be prepared to offend them. If they’re a decent person or if you’ve simply read the situation wrongly, the worst that can happen is they will choose to be offended. That’s their problem, not yours. At the very least, they may look to their own comments or behaviours to see what may have triggered you.
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear”
Fill in the DOC registration books
Each DOC Hut has a green registration book for you to record your name, hut pass number, trip intentions and any trail or hut observations.
In an emergency, such as when your parents report you as missing, the hut registration book will be checked by LandSAR in an effort to find you. Even if you’re too miserable to pay the Hut Fee, leave clues and fill in your intentions, it may well save your life or alternatively, save LandSAR time and effort in your recovery.
On a lighter note, it gives your trail mates some clues as to how far ahead you are and the likelihood of them being able to catch you up before the next town.
Oh, and when you fill it in, use your proper name, not your trail name!
Train for Te Araroa
Training for a thru hike is a tricky one, after all, in everyday life, you’re unlikely to have time to practice walking over twenty kilometres a day. It just doesn’t happen. What you can do however is train as much as you’re able to, working on your cardio, strength and mobility skills.
Train in all weathers, in all terrains and wearing the gear that you plan to use when walking Te Araroa.
Start with baby steps
If you’re preparing now to hike Te Araroa and haven’t any experience of solo hiking, start somewhere that is deemed safe and where there’ll be other hikers about.
In New Zealand, I recommend hiking the more popular Great Walks (think Milford, Routeburn, Kepler and Abel Tasman) as there’s guaranteed to be others there plus the huts will have a resident ranger. It’s a good way to dip your toe in.
Know your limits
This is one tip that I inadvertently test however I don’t recommend that you do. I’ve a great deal of experience in hiking in the New Zealand backcountry and should I not reach my planned destination, I’m reasonably comfortable stopping wherever I am and popping up my tent for the night.
When you start Te Araroa, you may not be sure of your limitations but within a couple of weeks you’ll start to get a feel for them. Don’t feel that just because someone else is going further that day than you, that you should try to keep up with them.
Hike your own hike.
Accept that it’s largely mental
Being a full time hiker is not easy but it is simple. Each day your thoughts will largely revolve around life’s big issues such as:
where to have lunch
how high up is that mountain pass
is there any Whittaker’s chocolate
is it going to rain
will there be room in the hut
did I eat that last OSM bar
You get the idea.
Hiking 3,000 kilometres is going to test your mental fortitude in ways that you’ve never been tested before. Barring accidents and environmental conditions, your head will give up before your body does. Make sure you’ve committed to the long haul as there’s going to be plenty of ups and downs and I’m not referring to the endless hills.
Plan now for what you’ll do when times are mentally tough, I found focusing on small rewards to be a great motivator.
Enjoying that hot cup of tea on reaching camp was always something I looked forward to whereas Andrew looked further ahead and planned for the meal he’d enjoy once in town.
Having a day off may be just what you need to reboot your mood.
Carry yourself with confidence
We all judge others in a mili second and first impressions are hard to change. Carrying yourself with confidence makes a positive first impression on others and will have a big impact on how they react to you.
Check out your body language and mannerisms
If you’re not a naturally confident person, start practicing this now and little by little it’ll become natural and your confidence will build.
Try keeping your posture straight, shoulders back and head high or at least as straight, back and high as possible while carrying a heavy backpack.
When you’re standing, keep your feet shoulder width apart and avoid crossing your arms or hiding your hands. A tall wide stance tends to exude confidence.
Face the person you’re talking to, this type of body language which is called "fronting" makes you look more confident.
Walk with purpose, find a speed that’s deliberate and not rushed, fix your gaze straight ahead and walk away naturally. If you need to, you can scurry ahead once out of sight but not so fast that you end up tripping and hurting yourself.
Talking with your hands also gives the impression of confidence as you come across as enthusiastic and animated.
Make eye contact with who you’re talking to as this will make you appear more confident and keep that eye contact throughout your chat.
While not being obnoxious, use your most dominant tone of voice. As women, we’ve been socialised to speak more softly and quietly than men, I know this is certainly something that I do and feel I have to shout to be heard in a group. Try raising your voice but speaking in a lower tone while still in your natural register.
Take up space.
This all takes practice for it to feel natural.
Christmas Day, Sharon Evans, Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes, Te Araroa, New Zealand
Listen to your language
As a solo woman hiker, practice listening to your language and avoid using negative phrases and words that will undermine your confidence. Things like "I’ve not done this before", "I’m no expert", "I was just thinking", "It’s only my opinion, but.."
My habitual pessimistic remark that Andrew drew my attention to was "you go first, I’m much slower" said to all in sundry when they caught up to me on the trail irrespective of the fact that I constantly stop to film - that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.
There’s plenty of ways for me to reframe that situation including just stepping aside to let someone pass.
The bottom line
Walking 3,000 kilometres on Te Araroa is safe for solo women, it’s not about being overly paranoid, it’s about being prepared and aware of your circumstances.
Learning about the risks and how to handle them decreases your chance of bad things happening and you now know how to make yourself less of a target.
What’s your favourite safety tips for solo women hikers, have I left anything out? Please do share your thoughts in the comment box below as it may just save someone an unnecessarily unpleasant or scary experience.
Hiking Aotearoa New Zealand on Te Araroa is an amazing experience and I’d hate for anyone to hesitate embarking on this trip of a lifetime. Get out there and enjoy your walk without fear, be confident, trust your gut, stay aware and remember, that your safety is in your hands.
Give it your all, give it your best and have an amazing Te Araroa experience 💚
Planning a trip to New Zealand
Useful Links for Your Travels
Get Your Guide - Unforgettable Travel Experiences - No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination. Make memories all over the globe with their locally-vetted, expertly-curated experiences. From must-see iconic attractions to unexpected under-the-radar gems, they have something for everyone.
Expedia - Expedia offers travellers a wide selection of accommodation, flights, package, activities and travel services at attractive rates. With hundreds of thousands of accommodation options worldwide and comprehensive choices of flights inventory made readily available on Expedia.co.nz, travellers can easily plan and book their trip
Skyscanner - Millions of cheap prices. One simple search Compare flight rates from 1000s of airlines and online travel agents to find the cheapest flight tickets to all major destinations. Once you find your best deal, book directly through the airline (no extra fees)
Safety Wing Insurance - Insurance for Nomads Nomad Insurance is a global travel medical insurance that covers people from all over the world, while outside their home country. You can buy it even if you are already abroad.
World Nomads - World Nomads travel insurance has been designed by travellers for travellers. If you leave home without travel insurance or your policy runs out, you can buy or extend while on the road.
We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Express VPN - Express VPN is the world’s largest provider of VPN services, which enables users to protect their privacy and security online with just a few clicks.
Tripsim by SYD - Discount Code
E-SIM provider for Data. Tripsim helps travellers stay connected in over 190 destinations globally.
Use this link to receive 10% off your Tripism purchase or code FREEWHEELINGKIWI at checkout
Airalo - E-SIM provider for Data. Stay connected, wherever you travel, at affordable rates.
To receive US $3 off your Airalo purchase use my code SHARON9327 at checkout https://www.airalo.com/
Trusted House Sitters - The Freedom to Travel - Discover free and unique homestays around the world, in exchange for caring for adorable pets.
Discover Cars. Save up to 70% by comparing the best car rental deals from 700+ suppliers in 10000+ locations worldwide and FREE Cancellation.
Disclosure: My content is reader-supported, which means I may earn a small commission from links on Freewheeling Kiwi’s Assets if you make a purchase and at no cost to you. This is a way to support me so that I can keep sharing content and stories. Thanks in advance for your support.
Understanding and managing risk for solo women while hiking New Zealand’s 3,000 kilometre Te Araroa.
When planning to hike Aotearoa New Zealand’s 3,000 kilometre Te Araroa trail, I had the usual safety concerns like navigating a fast flowing river, becoming lost in the bush, suffering from hypothermia or possible injuries which were all dangers that I could anticipate and plan for.
In this blog however, I’m not going to address those general concerns. Instead, what I will be discussing are safety concerns unique to us women hikers. Specifically, the danger that is presented by the one thing that women worldwide have learnt to fear the most, and that is men.