Te Araroa - 04 Manawatū-Whanganui - j Feilding to Palmerston North

Road margins much of the way. Shoulders often minimal. Face the oncoming traffic (you on right side in Aotearoa-New Zealand), EXCEPT where: a) view ahead is restricted - drivers of you b) there is a footpath on the other side

Covering 17.8 km, this is a substantial hike requiring a reasonable base fitness. Most walkers complete it in about 3 hours and 57 minutes.

This linear trail moves from one end to the other without looping back. A return journey by transport — or retracing the path — is needed to get back to the start. Follow the TA04j waymarkers throughout to stay on the official trail line.

As a Local Walking Network (LWN) route, this trail has a strong community character. It serves both regular local walkers and visitors discovering the area for the first time.