Te Araroa South Island — Section Takitimu Track b / Birchwood to Merrivale: Lower Wairaki Hut to Merrivale
~3 days · 41.3 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Te Araroa South Island — Section Takitimu Track b / Birchwood to Merrivale: Lower Wairaki Hut to Merrivale is known for
Section Takitimu Track b / Birchwood to Merrivale of Te Araroa South Island is an official 62.5 km point-to-point section from Lower Wairaki Hut to Merrivale.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 915 ft to 10,784 ft over 41.3 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 10.9 mi · 27%
- Downhill 16.0 mi · 40%
- Flat 13.2 mi · 33%
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 Takitimu Track b / Birchwood to Merrivale: Lower Wairaki Hut to Merrivale?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Te Araroa South Island — Section Takitimu Track b / Birchwood to Merrivale: Lower Wairaki Hut to Merrivale scores 21/100, 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 Takitimu Track b / Birchwood to Merrivale: Lower Wairaki Hut to Merrivale take?
Most backpackers hike the Te Araroa South Island — Section Takitimu Track b / Birchwood to Merrivale: Lower Wairaki Hut to Merrivale in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 41.3 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Te Araroa South Island — Section Takitimu Track b / Birchwood to Merrivale: Lower Wairaki Hut to Merrivale?
The Te Araroa South Island — Section Takitimu Track b / Birchwood to Merrivale: Lower Wairaki Hut to Merrivale climbs roughly 6,444 ft total — about 156 ft per mile, topping out near 3,330 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.