Te Araroa South Island — Section Waiau Pass Track a: Saint Arnaud to Waiau Pass
~3 days · 31.4 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Te Araroa South Island — Section Waiau Pass Track a: Saint Arnaud to Waiau Pass is known for
Section Waiau Pass Track a of Te Araroa South Island is an official 50 km point-to-point section from Saint Arnaud to Waiau Pass.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 6,673 ft to 19,245 ft over 31.4 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 19.6 mi · 63%
- Downhill 4.4 mi · 14%
- Flat 7.3 mi · 23%
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 Waiau Pass Track a: Saint Arnaud to Waiau Pass?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Te Araroa South Island — Section Waiau Pass Track a: Saint Arnaud to Waiau Pass scores 34/100, 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 Waiau Pass Track a: Saint Arnaud to Waiau Pass take?
Most backpackers hike the Te Araroa South Island — Section Waiau Pass Track a: Saint Arnaud to Waiau Pass in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 31.4 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Te Araroa South Island — Section Waiau Pass Track a: Saint Arnaud to Waiau Pass?
The Te Araroa South Island — Section Waiau Pass Track a: Saint Arnaud to Waiau Pass climbs roughly 10,384 ft total — about 331 ft per mile, topping out near 6,122 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.