Think you're just a road runner? The Traverse team invites you deep into the Southern Alps to prove yourself wrong - at a pace that actually allows for conversation. This three-day escape is designed for those wanting to step off the asphalt and into the wild without the pressure of a race environment.

Arrive at the high-country station by 6pm where the Wi-Fi is weak but the hospitality is strong. This weekend is about the Total Trail Experience: stunning runs, guided confidence-building, and plenty of downtime for group games, stream dips, or just staring at the mountains.

We arrive at our high-country base by 6pm, we'll settle in, share a hearty dinner, and brief the crew on the weekend ahead. No running tonight, just mountain air and meeting your new running mates. Might even catch a sunset!

Welcome to the Southern Alps

Today is the Level Up. We have two routes: one that goes high for the panoramic summit photos, and another that stays closer to the river for a flatter, flowy introduction to the dirt. We'll return for a restorative stretch, followed by an afternoon of downtime — think group games, a dip in the stream, or just a quiet beer with a view. We wrap it up with a massive outdoor BBQ.

The Big Alpine Traverse

We start with a cruisy run to the filming location of Edoras (for all you LotR fans). It's an iconic, relatively flat 8km that's high on views and low on stress. We'll finish back at base for a farewell lunch, celebrating your new Trail Runner status before you depart back to Christchurch by mid-afternoon.

The Rohan Run & Farewells

Escape to the Southern Alps for a three-day trail-running adventure where breathtaking views, Kiwi hospitality, and a small crew of like-minded runners turn every step into an unforgettable high-country experience.

Try the Trails

It’s the kind of scenery that’ll have your camera roll screaming for mercy while your legs tackle those undulating hills. But here’s the best part: you can ditch the heavy lifting and embrace true indulgence! We’ve coordinated seamless water taxi transfers to whisk your luggage straight to your room each night, leaving you free to fly down the trail with just your running vest.

Your rewards at the end of the day are the true highlights of this journey. Imagine trading the trail for a chilled glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc or a chilled non-alc beer over the water at Punga Cove’s iconic Boatshed Bar, followed by dinner at the hilltop Punga Fern restaurant. The next day, you’ll unwind in style at the stunning Portage Resort. Whether you’re dodging cheeky Weka birds on the ridgeline or relaxing on your private balcony overlooking the Kenepuru Sound, this track proves you can absolutely have your wild adventure and a masterclass in luxury too.

Arrive in Blenheim for your transfer to Picton and check into your motel. At 5:30 PM, we’ll kick things off with a tour briefing to talk tactics, terrain, and the epic days ahead. Afterward, we’ll head out for our first group dinner to fuel up and get the vibes high before we hit the water in the morning.

The Muster

We launch the adventure with a morning water taxi blast out to Ship Cove. From the spot where Cook once dropped anchor, you’ll charge through lush coastal forest and climb toward those first big views. Your luggage is already on its own sea-voyage, so you can hammer out the first 29km with just the essentials. Arrive at Punga Cove to find your fresh clothes waiting and a cold drink calling your name.

The Captain’s Start (Ship Cove to Punga Cove)

This is the big one. Today we hit the high ridgelines, soaring between the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds. It’s a day of relentless "undulations" and views that will make you forget your lungs are burning. Once again, your bags do the heavy lifting via boat, meeting you at the iconic Portage Resort for a well-earned feast and a night overlooking the water.

The Spine of the Sound (Punga Cove to Portage)

One last dash! The final 21km is a masterclass in forest running, featuring sweeping turns and a steady, flowing descent toward the finish line. We’ll burst out of the trees at Anakiwa to celebrate the full 73km completion before catching our final boat transfer back to Picton. High fives and sore legs all round!

The Home Stretch (Portage to Anakiwa)

Experience the ultimate coastal high on the stunning Queen Charlotte Track, a 73km journey over 3 epic days running. Starting from the historic Ship Cove, you’ll charge through lush native forests and conquer breathtaking ridgelines offering 360 degree turquoise views.

The Queen Charlotte

Follow in the footsteps of gold miners, though hopefully with better shoes and significantly more snacks. The Old Ghost Road is New Zealand's ultimate backcountry odyssey - stretching through rugged valleys, towering mountain passes, and ridgelines that make you feel very small in a very big way.

Across three running days, we tackle the full 85km. We've done the smart thing and arranged helicopter drops for our supplies (High Country UberEats, if you will), so you can focus on the famed Skyline Steps without a 15kg pack trying to pull you backward. This isn't just a run; it's a West Coast epic with a roof over your head and a crew that's in it together.

Your adventure begins in Christchurch with an afternoon meet-up and group transfer to Murchison (about 3.5 hours) - the gateway to the Old Ghost Road. We aim to arrive before 5.30pm to give us time to settle in, try out the local tavern and have a little brief for tomorrow's adventure kicks off.

The Gateway to the West

Your adventure begins with a short 1 hour transfer to the Lyell Carpark, the gateway to the Old Ghost Road. From here, the trail climbs steadily through lush podocarp and beech forest, past historic gold-mining relics and across suspension bridges, before breaking into open alpine ridgelines.

The reward? One of New Zealand's most spectacular backcountry huts, Ghost Lake Hut, perched high above the valleys with panoramic sunset views.

To keep packs light on this first big climb, our supplies will be dropped in by heli - the High Country UberEats! That means you'll only carry essentials, and we'll share a hearty group dinner as the sun dips behind the mountains.

Lyell Carpark to Ghost Lake Hut

After breakfast, pack your gear and lunch for the biggest day ahead. Today is an epic journey across the very heart of the Old Ghost Road. Expect undulating ridgelines, the famed Skyline Steps, and long descents into wild river valleys. This is true backcountry - remote, rugged, and incredibly rewarding.

We finish beside the mighty Mokihinui River at Specimen Point Hut. Dinner tonight is classic high-country hut fare.

Ghost Lake Hut to Specimen Point Hut

Our final morning follows the Mokihinui River Gorge, with fast, flowing single track framed by sheer cliffs, swing bridges, and dense West Coast bush. This gentler run allows time to soak up the wild beauty before reaching the northern trailhead in Seddonville.

From here, we'll have time to relax and soak up a little more of the stunning West Coast before we make our way back to Christchurch - tired legs, full hearts, and stories to last a lifetime.

Specimen Point Hut to Seddonville

Run the legendary Old Ghost Road, a three-day backcountry adventure through rugged valleys, alpine ridgelines, and native bush on one of New Zealand’s most iconic trails.

The Old Ghost Road Run

If you're short on time but have a masochistic appetite for elevation, this is your weekend. Located just two hours from Christchurch, Island Hills is the home of the legendary Skedaddle trail race. It's a raw, rolling landscape of rugged ridgelines, hidden gullies, and regenerating native bush.

This isn't just a run; it's a full immersion into a high-country station that's working as hard on conservation as you are on that 1400m climb. You'll leave grounded, weathered, and wondering why you ever thought pavement running was a good hobby.

Meet at the base by 5:00 PM. We'll drop the bags and immediately head out for a 10km leg-stretcher. In North Canterbury terms, that means 450m of climbing right out of the gate. We'll finish with a 4WD tour to learn about the land's history before settling into a relaxed BBQ dinner and a refreshing beverage.

Arrival & First Tracks

This is the main event. We're heading deep into the ridges and bush-covered valleys of the Mandamus Preservation Reserve. You'll pass the historic Bush Hut and, if the clouds behave, get a front-row seat to Mt Skedaddle (1704m). We'll return for a restorative stretch and a fireside beer - which you will have officially earned.

The Big Dance

We start early to beat the heat (and the Monday morning dread). One final 15km loop to soak up the last of the views and ensure your lungs are fully awake. We'll share a final group lunch back at the base before you head back to Christchurch by mid-afternoon.

One Last Ascent

Conquer the wild heart of the South Island on a weekend trail adventure through rugged ridgelines and native bush - the Island Hills Escape, home of the epic Skedaddle, is high-country running at its best.

Island Hills Escape

Step into the heart of New Zealand's High Country for a multi-day trail running experience through working farmland, expansive valleys, and rugged backcountry terrain.

This isn't just a run; it's a rare look into station life. You'll be staying in a remote lodge under a sky so dark you'll actually see the stars (not just the ones on your phone). We'll trace animal tracks and 4WD routes, moving through a landscape that hasn't changed much for generations.

It's authentic, it's elevated, and yes, your quads will have feelings about it.

We meet in central Queenstown, hand our heavy bags to the 4WD crew, and take the Gondola. Once we're at the top, we leave the bungee-jumping energy behind. The trail starts with a solid dose of elevation — 1600m to be exact — but we're not here to set a record. We take it steady, share a trailside lunch, and roll into our remote lodge by late afternoon. We'll finish the day with a group cook-up and a view that'll make you forget about that last hill.

Skyline Start & Into the Hills

After a relaxed breakfast, we head into the wild. Today is about rolling trails, big valleys, and ridgelines that go on forever. It's a stop and stare kind of day. We'll have a trail-side lunch far from civilization, return to the lodge for a group stretch, and end with a hearty BBQ under a very crowded sky.

Big Country & Backcountry Loops

The final stretch. We wind down through hidden valleys and tussock trails toward Arthur's Point. It's about 10km of last-chance views before we hit the valley floor. For the brave (or the very warm), we'll wrap up with a well-earned drink at a local brewery and enjoy our last group lunch. We aim to arrive back at Arthur's Point around 12:30pm before transferring back to town around 3pm.

The Descent to Reality

Run high above Queenstown on a multi-day High Country adventure - where rolling farmland, alpine ridgelines, and sweeping valley views meet authentic station life and the true spirit of New Zealand’s backcountry.

Ben Lomond & Beyond

This 3-day experience takes you deep into the world-renowned Whakarewarewa Forest, circles the iconic Blue and Green Lakes, and culminates in a legendary ascent of Mt Tarawera. Staying in your private retreat just outside town, you’ll trade city noise for birdsong, forest canopy, and the geothermal steam that defines this unique corner of the world.

Arrive in Rotorua and check into your accommodation before 4:30 PM. We’ll kick things off immediately with a quick change into our running gear for a short 5km shakeout loop to stretch the travel legs. Afterwards, we'll head back for the official tour briefing, meet the crew, and head out for our first group dinner.

Shakeout & Welcome

Our signature distance day is a spectacular 27-30km journey. We swap technical climbs for the rolling, rhythmic trails that connect the shimmering Blue Lake (Tikitapu) and the sacred Green Lake (Rotokakahi). From there, we push deep into the Whakarewarewa Forest, traversing a seamless blend of lush native bush and towering Douglas Firs. The epic journey ends at the edge of the forest with a well-earned soak and a cold drink at Secret Spot Hot Tubs, the ultimate reward for a massive trail effort.

Run Forest, Run!

We save the most iconic experience for last: a guided journey to the summit of Mt Tarawera. We’ll stand on the rim of the historic 1886 eruption site before taking part in the legendary "Scree Run" a high-speed, gravity-defying sprint into the heart of the volcanic crater. We’ll wrap up the adventure with a final group lunch, celebrating the miles covered before heading home.

The Volcano & Final Descent

Chase the shimmering Blue and Green Lakes through Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Forest before summiting Mt Tarawera for a legendary scree run into the heart of an ancient volcanic crater - three days of forest trails, geothermal soaks, and unforgettable adventure.

Our Tours

Choose Your Tour

Try the Trails

The Queen Charlotte

The Old Ghost Road Run

Island Hills Escape

Ben Lomond & Beyond

Tarawera Traverse