Check out our new Car Pooling feature!
Connect and exchange vehicles for the benefit of both trail parties
On Tramping and Trail Running Tracks
Or Mountain Biking and Bike Packing Trails
Turn There-and-Back Trips into One-Ways
How it Works
Connect with someone looking to complete the same trail
Why Trail Sharing?
What we offer
We aim to increase affordable and convenient access to many of New Zealand's trails. By connecting people who are completing the same trail in opposite directions both parties can benefit from:
-
Reduced transport costs,
-
Accessing through-trails not serviced by transport companies,
-
Arriving back to your own vehicle, in your own time.
Trail Sharing members agree to our terms of use which provide a clear understanding of the cover their vehicle will get while being driven by the other party.
How we compare with other services
Trail Sharing | Car Relocation Services* | Self Organised Car Exchange | |
|---|---|---|---|
Price | You're an early bird, its all free! | Varies depending on the trail, typically $140 - $495 for great walks | Free |
Fuel Use | Vehicles only carry trail users to and from one trail end ensuring the minimum journey distance is driven. | Twice as much fuel is used navigating the trail heads as the relocation of your vehicle between trail ends is also necessary. For two vehicles, their combined fuel consumption will be twice as much compared to coordinating through Trail Sharing (with the individual difference depending on the trail end they drive to). | Vehicles only carry trail users to and from one trail end ensuring the minimum journey distance is driven. |
Added Safety on the Trail | If returning keys in person, a check up half way through your trip occurs. In the event becoming lost or injured the time to raising the alarm may be greatly reduced. As part of the connecting process, emergency contact details are shared ensuring all necessary parties can be promptly notified. | No additional check in occurs. | When returning keys in person on the trail, a check up half way through your trip occurs. In the event of becoming lost or injured the time to raising the alarm may be greatly reduced. Emergency contact details may not have been shared. |
Liability in case of damage to your vehicle | The agreement between drivers states the party at fault or the driver will be liable for the repair ensuring your vehicle will always be covered. | Will only cover damage that they directly cause | No formal agreement so you will have to navigate the uncertainty in the case of an event. |
Liability in the case of a breakdown | You are responsible for the cost of recovering your own vehicle should it break down while the other party is using it responsibly. | You are responsible for the cost of recovering your own vehicle should it break down while the other party is using it responsibly. | No formal agreement so you will have to navigate the uncertainty in the case of an event. |
Liability in the case of windscreen or tyre damage | The agreement between drivers states the party driving the vehicle will be liable for the repair ensuring your vehicle is covered | No cover, you are responsible for the damage | No formal agreement so you will have to navigate the uncertainty in the case of an event. |
Required Vehicle Insurance | Vehicles with third party insurance or higher are able to participate with insurance details clearly stated as part of the connection process. | Vehicles must have comprehensive insurance in order to be relocated. | Any vehicle can be used. Individuals must investigate the level of insurance cover on the borrowed vehicle themselves if they wish to know the level of cover. |
*There are numerous car relocation companies in New Zealand. For simplicity, we have compared the terms of transport with Easyhike, one of the largest car relocation companies that services the Routeburn, Milford and other major tracks. Other companies operating policies may vary.
Why Trail Sharing?
What we offer
We aim to increase affordable and convenient access to many of New Zealand's trails. By connecting people who are completing the same trail in opposite directions both parties can benefit from:
-
Reduced transport costs,
-
Accessing through-trails not serviced by transport companies,
-
Arriving back to your own vehicle, in your own time.
Trail Sharing members agree to our terms of use which provide a clear understanding of the cover their vehicle will get while being driven by the other party.
*There are numerous car relocation companies in New Zealand. For simplicity, we have compared the terms of transport with Easyhike, one of the largest car relocation companies that services the Routeburn, Milford and other major tracks. Other companies operating policies may vary.