By Erika Zambello, based on an article by Dan Hawkins.

New Zealand is known for breathtaking scenery, popularized in the blockbuster Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie series. Since 1975, citizens have been working toward a scenic, thru-hiking trail to showcase the country, culminating in an official trail that opened in 2011. Today, the Te Aroroa is 1,864 miles long, stretching from Cape Reinga at one end to Bluff at the other. Most finish in five-month treks, but day hikes and backpacking legs are also popular.

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