Paparoa Track
Limestone karst above the Tasman Sea
Overview
Limestone bluffs, alpine tops and lush rainforest on NZ's newest Great Walk (opened 2019).
Itinerary
Up to Ces Clark
Limestone bluffs and West Coast views
Moonlight Tops Ridge
Standing on the ridge seeing the Tasman Sea
Pororari Gorge
Pororari Gorge limestone and nikau palms
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Day 1
4h 30m
Up to Ces Clark
Smoke-ho CarparkCes Clark Hut
Distance
14 km
Elevation gain
820m
Est. time
4h 30m
Climb through limestone formations and beech forest to the first hut.
Limestone bluffs and West Coast views
- 2
Day 2
5h
Moonlight Tops Ridge
Ces Clark HutMoonlight Tops Hut
Distance
16 km
Elevation gain
600m
Est. time
5h
The alpine traverse on the Paparoa Range with the Tasman Sea visible to the west.
Standing on the ridge seeing the Tasman Sea
- 3
Day 3
7h
Pororari Gorge
Moonlight Tops HutPunakaiki
Distance
25 km
Elevation gain
200m
Est. time
7h
Descend through the spectacular Pororari Gorge with its crystal pools and nikau palms to Punakaiki.
Pororari Gorge limestone and nikau palms
Huts on this walk
- Night 1HutSleeps 20
Ces Clark Hut
BunksGas cookersFlush toilets - Night 2HutSleeps 20
Moonlight Tops Hut
BunksGas cookersFlush toilets
Walk it: step-through map
Plan this Great Walk
Trips are private by default. Share when you're ready.
Walk data from DOC — used with permission.