I’ll let some photos drive the narrative.

The majority of the New Zealand population lives on the North Island, around 75% (most of whom live in Auckland). The trail goes in and out and around many small towns, and Auckland itself. Thus, there is a lot of road walking, but there are also snippets of forest walks between the roads, and also a LOT of farms to walk by and through. As the trail nears Auckland, it meanders through coastal suburbs and beaches. These areas invariable have bakeries and espresso bars. A very good thing.

Another worrisome tidal crossing turned out to be easy peasy. Just had to get up at 3:30 am to get there at the low tide time.

I stayed one night at Puhoi Pub during a week of a cold and cough. Because who wouldn’t want to stay at a historic pub?!

I took a tour of the Waitomo Caves and glow worms. The caves were a series of limestone caves with stalactites and stalagmites, interesting enough. But then, add the glow worms and that was a crazy great experience. The worms are bioluminescent fly larva that hang from parts of the cave ceiling. They secrete sticky string of goo, like a spider web, to catch whatever flies by. There were so many of them! The caves are considered sacred to the Māori, so photos weren’t allowed until the end of the cave, just before the exit (the tour was on a boat, even better).

Another favorite trail that had been fear mongered was the Mangaokewa River Trail. It had rained very very hard the day before, so of course I worried. My catastrophic mind made up visions of a bank full, torrential river with a steep and slippery gorge. Well, it was fine; just challenging enough to be fun. It took a little time, and I had to be mindful of foot placement, but it was gorgeous and in my top three favorite trails.