2025.07.29
Our People, Our Journeys
“Tramping”
South Island, New Zealand and wander journal #87
ニュージーランドでは、トレッキングのことを「トランピング（Tramping）」と呼ぶ。これは、英語の「Tramp」という単語が「放浪する」といった意味を持つことに由来し、そのスタイルを表す言葉として「Tramping」が定着したと考えられているそう。
日本のように山を「登るもの」として捉える感覚とはまた違う文化、精神性。僕たちは、そんな“自然の中を放浪するような山歩き”を楽しみたいと思い、今回の旅の行先をニュージーランドに決めた。
In New Zealand, people refer to hiking or trekking as “tramping”. The term is believed to originate from the English word “to tramp”, which means to walk long distances on foot, or to wander or roam. Over time, “tramping” became the established word to describe this uniquely Kiwi style of exploring the vast back country on foot.
Unlike in Japan, where mountains are often seen as things to be climbed, tramping signifies a different culture and mindset. Drawn to this idea of roaming freely through the outdoors, we chose New Zealand as the destination for our latest hiking adventure.
今回歩くのは「Caples Track」と「Routeburn Track」の２つを繋げた3泊4日の行程。
大きな丘をいくつか超えて、Caples Trackの登山口にバスで向かうと、広大な草原が迎えてくれた。登山というよりは“風景の中を散歩している”ような感覚。八ヶ岳に似たような緑の木々や苔が美しく、鬱蒼とした森の中は人どころか動物の気配も感じない。
樹林帯を抜け、そのままテントを張れるキャンプ地まで一気に標高を落とし、結局、その日は約9時間歩いた。乾いた風が通り抜ける心地よい気温と疲労も相まって、あっという間に眠りにつく。どこまでも続く草原の中には僕たちしかいない贅沢な時間。
We set out on a 3-night, 4-day trek that connects two trails: the Caples Track and the Routeburn Track. As we head towards the Caples Track trail head, our bus takes us over a series of rolling hills before we are greeted by vast open grasslands. It doesn’t feel like climbing a mountain, more like taking a leisurely walk through a living landscape. The lush green of the trees and the moss is beautiful, and reminds us of the Yatsugatake mountains in Japan. In the dense forest we can barely sense the presence of any animals, let alone any other people.
Once through the forested area, we descend towards the campsite where we will pitch our tents. By the end of the day, we’ve walked for about nine hours. Thanks to the fresh mountain air and the comfortable temperature, combined with our physical tiredness, we are asleep before we know it. Surrounded by endless grasslands, we have the luxury of having the whole campsite to ourselves.
いよいよグレートウォークの１つでもあるRouteburn Track。実はニュージーランドに来るまで予定していなかったが、直前キャンセルを運良く見つけ、滑り込みで予約。そんな運も味方につけたRouteburn Track歩きは雨に打たれながら始まった。暗闇の中、レインジャケットを着て歩き出す。
Finally, we arrive at the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. This wasn’t actually on our itinerary when we arrived in New Zealand, but through pure luck, we are able to snag a spot just in time thanks to a last-minute cancellation. With this stroke of good luck on our side, we start the Routeburn Track in the rain, donning our raincoats as we set off in the dark.
陽が斜めに差し込むブナ林では、足音が苔に吸い込まれていく。徐々に標高を上げると眼下には湖が広がる。樹林帯、なだらかな丘、湖とそれぞれ異なる表情を持った景色を堪能し、数日の短い山歩きながら、体も心もぐっと深く潜っていった。
As we walk through a Beech forest, sunlight gently slants in through the trees, and our footsteps are muffled by the moss underfoot. As we climb gradually, a lake comes into view below us. From dense forests to rolling hills and lakes, we enjoy all the different landscapes, each offering their own unique atmosphere. Although just a short tramp of a few days, both our bodies and minds have become deeply immersed in the natural surroundings.
風景がころころ変わって飽きる事のない、密度の濃い山歩き。徐々に荷物が軽くなっていくのを実感すると3泊4日の行程が終わってしまう寂しさを感じる。
クイーンズタウンの街に一旦戻り、次に目指すのはMt. Cook。ここのHooker Valley trackはよく整備されていて、年齢も国籍も様々な人が歩いている場所。ミューラー氷河やニュージーランド最高峰のアオラキ/マウントクックを横目に、草原、川、吊り橋まで楽しめる贅沢なルートだ。
途中で街に立ち寄って食糧とお酒を調達し、その夜は公園内にあるWhite Horse Hill campsiteでのキャンプ。満点の星空が広がり旅の締めには相応しい景色。
The ever-changing scenery, rich in variety and depth, has kept every step of this tramp fresh and exciting. As we feel our packs getting gradually lighter, we also feel sad that our 4-day trip will soon come to an end.
We return to the town of Queenstown, before heading to Mount Cook the next day. The Hooker Valley track is beautifully maintained, and welcomes people of all ages and nationalities. The route is packed with highlights as it takes you through wide-open grasslands, along rivers banks, and over suspension bridges, all while enjoying sweeping views of the Mueller glacier and New Zealand’s highest peak: Aoraki/Mount Cook.
We stop at a town on the way to pick up food supplies and a few drinks, and that night we camp at the White Horse Hill campsite, located within the park. Sitting under the star-filled sky feels like the perfect ending to our tramping adventure.
長いようで短かったニュージーランドでの山歩き。何より強く感じたのは、「自然との向き合い方」の違いだった。道はしっかり整備され、危険な箇所には橋がかけられている。自然に負荷をかけないように、木道や簡易トイレも適切に設置されていた。そして、入域には料金がかかり、国としてしっかりと自然に投資している。
それは、自然を“無料の遊び場”として扱うのではなく、大切に守りながら“共に使っていく資産”として考えていることの表れだった。自分の足で山を歩く旅、「Tramping」は観光とはまったく異なる。歩いて見て感じることで、自分の中の感度が少しずつ研ぎ澄まされていく。日本の山とニュージーランドの山。旅を終え、ザックを下ろした今でも、旅の記憶が体に残っている。
Our days tramping through New Zealand’s back country feel both long and fleeting. Above all, we have experienced a different way of interacting with nature. Trails are well maintained, and bridges have been built in any dangerous spots. Boardwalks and basic toilet facilities are in place to minimize the environmental impact. The country invests in its natural heritage, with entry fees to help fund this infrastructure.
This shows how nature isn’t treated as a free playground, but is instead viewed as “a shared asset”, that should be protected and used responsibly.
Tramping—wandering through nature with your own two feet, is very different from conventional sightseeing. With each step and each view, our senses sharpened and our awareness deepened. Even after our travels are over and our backpacks have been set down, our bodies still remember our adventures in the mountains of New Zealand, and Japan.
Photo & Text Hiroyasu Kindo (MIYASHITA PARK STORE)
Translation Yuko Caroline Omura