The Paparoa Track, an advanced 56.2km ride or intermediate Great Walk, travels through the Paparoa Range, alpine tops and thriving rainforests in the Paparoa National Park along the West Coast of Aotearoa.
The video highlights the varied conditions mountain bikers and trampers can expect, covering important tips including how to pack a balanced bike, a suggested packing list, the common risks and hazards, and key decision-making points.
While the track is open year-round, it’s not to be underestimated as it is exposed to severe weather such as heavy rain, strong winds, snow, and freezing temperatures at any time of year. Ice and snow are more common in the winter months, adding additional hazards that need to be taken into account when planning.
In February 2024, the Pike29 Memorial Track will open, connecting the Paparoa Track Great Walk to the Pike River valley. The new track has been created in partnership between DOC, Ngāti Waewae and the families of the 29 men who died as a result of the Pike River mine disaster in November 2010. Want to do this track?
Key learnings in this video: Have a well-balanced and maintained bike and carry a repair kit.
Warm and waterproof clothing: Before heading to the West Coast, it’s important to prepare for all conditions by taking warm and waterproof clothing.
Carry a mobile phone and a distress beacon.
Carry an emergency shelter and some extra food in case you need to wait out any severe weather, flooding, or an injury that requires a rescue.
Check the weather: The track is open year-round, however severe weather such as heavy rain, strong winds, snow, and freezing temperatures can occur any time of year.
Leave your intentions with a trusted contact before starting the trail. You can do this is by using Plan My Walk.
There are a few rules specific to mountain biking and tramping the Paparoa Track:
Riding at night is prohibited to protect the nocturnal wildlife in the area.
Electric Bikes are currently not permitted.
And this is a shared use track, so remember to be courteous, stay in control, signal your approach, and give way when appropriate.
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Brought to you by the NZ Mountain Safety Council, Quite Nice Films, Department of Conservation, MetService, NZ Police, LandSearch and Rescue, and Ngāti Waewae Arahura.
The NZ Mountain Safety Council would like to acknowledge and thank Ngāti Waewae for filming in their Takiwa.
The use of drones on all public conservation land is prohibited without the Department of Conservation’s permission. All of our filming has been granted this access and we work hard to follow all of the guidelines and requirements associated with that. Visit doc.govt.nz for more information. #Traveling#Biking#Cycling
Nau mai, haere mai ki Paparoa, ki te Tai Poutini, ki te whenua o Ngāti Waiwai.
Kia ngahau, kia haumaru te noho, a haere pai mai, hoki ora atu.
The Paparoa Track is an advanced grade 4, 56.2 kilometre ride or an intermediate grade,
55 kilometre tramp that travels through Paparoa National Park.
As a shared use track, it offers a multi-day adventure for both mountain bikers and trampers,
showcasing some of the most distinctive landscapes the West Coast has to offer.
The track is open year-round, however severe weather such as heavy rain, strong winds,
snow and freezing temperatures can occur any time of year.
Ice and snow is more common in the winter months,
adding another hazard to the exposed sections.
The average temperature fluctuates from 18 degrees in summer to 4 degrees in winter.
However, it is the wind that is possibly the greatest hazard
and may result in the Department of Conservation closing the track.
Prepare for all conditions by taking warm and waterproof clothing.
Phone reception is available in some places along the track,
but a distress beacon is still an essential item.
An emergency shelter and survival blanket are also essential to wait out any severe weather,
flooding or an injury that requires a rescue.
You'll be on your own out there, so if you're riding,
carry a repair kit for your bike to tackle any unexpected mechanical issues.
For riders, a key part of your preparation is having a well-packed and balanced bike.
There are plenty of options for carrying your gear,
but in general we recommend only putting lighter items on the front of your bike.
This is a perfect spot for your sleeping bag.
You can store heavier items in a frame bag or on the back of the bike
where it will have less influence on your bike's handling.
If you're wearing a backpack, keep it light and focus on items you will use throughout the day.
Be sure to leave your intentions with a trusted contact before starting the trail.
An easy way to do this is by using the Plan My Walk app,
which also helps you plan your trip with track alerts and weather forecasts.
Download the app or check out planmywalk.nz.
Before the trip starts, it's important to know where you are going to stay on your journey.
There are three huts on this track, and they all need to be booked through DOC in advance.
This is a great walk track, so spaces are limited and they go fast.
You'll also need to be aware of a few rules specific to this track.
Riding at night is prohibited to protect the nocturnal wildlife in the area.
Electric bikes are currently not permitted.
And this is a shared-use track, so remember to be courteous, stay in control,
signal your approach, and give way where appropriate.
The Paparoa Track starts at Smokho Car Park, which lies 8km north of the town of Blackball.
This is a small car park intended for day use only,
so you will need to organise transport to get to this point.
It's a 10.3km climb up to Cess Clark Hut,
and this should take around 2-3 hours for the average mountain biker,
or a 4-5 hour walk for the average tramper.
The first section begins on the Historic Croesus Track.
This gives you a nice peek into the area's gold mining past,
but it is a particularly rough ride due to its historic nature.
Expect uneven, rocky terrain for the majority of this section,
with a steep drop-off into the bush below.
This provides an interesting challenge as you progress up the valley.
Some parts are particularly hard to navigate on a bike,
so know your limits and dismount when you have to.
Warning markers are placed along the track,
so keep an eye out for big obstacles or tricky stream crossings in these areas.
With all of that in mind, remember to also enjoy the breathtaking climb
through the native West Coast Forest.
Eventually, all of that climbing will bring you to Cess Clark Hut.
If you aren't staying the night here,
this is a great spot to take a break and replenish your water.
There is mobile phone reception available,
so it's a good place to update your trusted contact on your progress
and to get the latest weather forecast.
If the forecast is for high winds,
then consider staying the night at Cess Clark Hut.
Call the Paparoa Visitor Centre to check that this is possible.
In severe weather conditions,
DOC may make this decision for you by closing the track.
If the weather is looking good,
then you can continue your climb through Alpine Tussock
with a nice view of the track ahead.
It is a 9.7 kilometre and one and a half hour ride
or three hour walk to Moonlight Tops Hut.
The track is well formed and soon becomes easier
than what you have experienced so far.
But there is a steep drop-off along the ridge
that requires you to stay aware of your surroundings
and not take any unnecessary risks.
Being above the bushline leaves you exposed to all kinds of weather,
which makes wind and rain a significant hazard in this section.
In winter, this part of the trail can experience snow and icy conditions.
If you're uncomfortable or it is too difficult
to get a good grip and stay in control,
either dismount and walk or retreat back to Cess Clark Hut.
After an enjoyable and scenic journey along the ridge,
the trail winds down to Moonlight Tops Hut.
All trampers are encouraged to stay a night here
as it is a very long way to walk from Cess Clark to Pororari Hut in a day.
For riders, even if not staying overnight,
this is another great spot to take a break,
get an updated weather forecast and replenish your water.
From here, it's a 19.1 kilometre three hour ride
or a full day's walk along the ridgetops to Pororari Hut.
This section of the trail is also where you will find
the track junction for the Pike 29 Memorial Track.
The walking is straightforward, but for riders there is a lot of downhill,
so check your brakes before leaving Moonlight Tops
to ensure everything is working correctly.
The bush provides more shelter from the elements as you descend,
but there are some sections with very steep drop-offs
that require your attention and caution.
Some of these drop-offs are fenced in,
but it remains a hazard along the way,
so keep an eye out for the warning markers and stay alert in these areas.
A well-built track makes for a fast and fun downhill ride,
but there are sharp switchbacks that have caught riders off guard
and resulted in injuries in the past.
To avoid any accidents, slow your descent when approaching corners
and be prepared to give way to trampers on the track.
Five kilometres after the hut,
you'll come across the track junction for the Pike 29 Memorial Track.
This 11-kilometre track was constructed to commemorate
the 29 men who tragically lost their lives
in the Pike River Mine disaster in 2010.
The track descends 900 metres into the valley
and finishes at the Pike River Mine,
providing an additional entry and exit point for the Paparoa Track.
If you intend to include this track in your journey,
plan ahead and make sure you leave enough time in the day
to reach your destination.
Transport will also need to be booked in advance
if you plan to start or finish at Pike River Mine.
Back on the Paparoa Track,
the journey continues over the top of a large escarpment
where the track narrows with steep drop-offs on either side.
This is a consistent hazard to be aware of for the next two kilometres
before arriving at the emergency shelter.
This is a good spot to take a break,
but be aware that overnight use of the shelter is for emergencies only.
The track drops down into the bush
with many switchbacks to navigate before reaching Pororari Hut,
which is located a short distance off the main track.
This is another great spot to take a break, enjoy the views,
and top up on water if you aren't staying the night here.
It's a 17.1 kilometre 2-3 hour ride
out to Waikori Road Car Park from Pororari Hut.
For trampers, it's a 4-5 hour walk to Pororari River Car Park.
This well-made gravel track makes for a smooth ride out,
so enjoy your last few hours flowing through the beautiful West Coast rainforest.
The track diverges towards the end,
sending trampers and mountain bikers to different exit points.
If tramping, be aware that the Pororari River can flood in heavy rain,
so the inland pack track may be the best option to exit safely.
Once you reach the car park, you can either meet with your pre-booked transport
or head along the road to Punakaiki.
The Paparoa Track is a stunning tour through the unique and diverse landscape of the wild West Coast.
Prepare for a safe trip by packing clothing for both good and bad weather conditions.
Carry a repair kit and have a well-balanced and maintained bike.
Take a phone and a distress beacon.
Know your limits, stay in control, and dismount when necessary.
Now that you are all set, climb into your saddle or lace up your boots
and enjoy this amazing trail for yourself.
