Te Araroa South Island — Section Rakaia River to Rangitata River: Rakaia south-bank trail terminus to Rangitata north-bank trail terminus
~4 days · 42.9 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Te Araroa South Island — Section Rakaia River to Rangitata River: Rakaia south-bank trail terminus to Rangitata north-bank trail terminus is known for
Section Rakaia River to Rangitata River of Te Araroa South Island is an official 69.7 km point-to-point section from Rakaia River south-bank trail terminus to Rangitata River north-bank trail terminus.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 4,931 ft to 15,951 ft over 42.9 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 16.5 mi · 39%
- Downhill 17.2 mi · 41%
- Flat 8.6 mi · 20%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Te Araroa South Island — Section Rakaia River to Rangitata River: Rakaia south-bank trail terminus to Rangitata north-bank trail terminus?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Te Araroa South Island — Section Rakaia River to Rangitata River: Rakaia south-bank trail terminus to Rangitata north-bank trail terminus scores 24/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Te Araroa South Island — Section Rakaia River to Rangitata River: Rakaia south-bank trail terminus to Rangitata north-bank trail terminus take?
Most backpackers hike the Te Araroa South Island — Section Rakaia River to Rangitata River: Rakaia south-bank trail terminus to Rangitata north-bank trail terminus in about 4 days (3 nights out) over its 42.9 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Te Araroa South Island — Section Rakaia River to Rangitata River: Rakaia south-bank trail terminus to Rangitata north-bank trail terminus?
The Te Araroa South Island — Section Rakaia River to Rangitata River: Rakaia south-bank trail terminus to Rangitata north-bank trail terminus climbs roughly 7,687 ft total — about 179 ft per mile, topping out near 4,872 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.