Paparoa Track

Paparoa Track
Moonlight Tops on the Paparoa Track
Length55.7 km (34.6 mi)
LocationPaparoa National Park, New Zealand
DesignationGreat Walk
TrailheadsBlackball, Punakaiki
UseTramping, Trail running, Mountain biking
Difficultymedium
SeasonSummer to autumn
MonthsLate October to late April. Possible to walk in winter months too, but for experienced hikers only
SightsSunsets, limestone cliffs, beech forests
HazardsExtremely cold temperatures, rain, wind, snow, flooding, steep slopes
Surfacedirt, rock
WebsiteDepartment of Conservation

The Paparoa Track is a 55.7 km (34.6 mi) shared hiking and mountain biking track located in Paparoa National Park in the South Island of New Zealand. The track was created as a memorial for the 29 miners who lost their lives in the Pike River Mine disaster. The track is the tenth Great Walk to be created and has been fully open since 1 March 2020.[1] It was the first addition to the Great Walks in 25 years.[2]

  1. ^ "Paparoa Track and Pike29 Memorial Track". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  2. ^ Warne, Kennedy (September–October 2018). "Wayfinders". New Zealand Geographic. No. 153. Retrieved 6 July 2022.