Jess Day joins Notes From Big Trails to talk about walking the Te Araroa Trail — a 3,000km route stretching the full length of New Zealand.

Walking solo over four and a half months, Jess shares what the experience actually felt like — from early nerves and self-doubt, through to trail family, unexpected kindness, and yes, the importance of chocolate.

This isn’t just a story about distance. It’s about what happens to your mind when you’re out there for that long — and the small moments that end up meaning the most.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Jess went from shorter UK trails to taking on Te Araroa
• The reality of walking 3,000km solo
• The mental challenge of long-distance hiking — including dealing with anxiety and PMDD on trail
• The contrast between the North and South Islands
• Extreme weather — from relentless sun to snow and freezing fog
• Trail family, shared hardship, and why people bond so quickly
• Trail angels and the kindness of strangers
• Why she ate all her chocolate — and why it was the right decision
• What finishing actually feels like (and why it’s not what you expect)
• Why you don’t need to do something huge to have a meaningful adventure

Enjoy!

Follow Jess

Jess shares more of her adventures, reflections, and journey into long-distance hiking here:
Instagram: @shoes_full_of_feet_

Get out on your own adventure - find out more at bigtrailadventures.com.