In spite of its recent addition, the Paparoa Track is already the fourth most popular Great Walk on the network. The 55km stretch was selected as a rival to the Milford and Kepler, and trampers have been flocking to walk it since 2020.
The first new track to be added in 27 years, the first purpose-built trail and the first dedicated all-year bike and hike track, there is plenty to be excited about. Every corner, every step of Paparoa – from Blackball to Punakaiki – has been carefully considered.
Though, from the trail, it was hard to see where this popularity came from. Through the windows of Ces Clark Hut, it was hard to see anything at all. Rain was running full pelt into the windows. Flax and wind grass flailing in the grey, the cloud left few clues of the view where the hillside fell away.
The other group in the hut were less concerned. An all-female party of walkers in their 60s, celebrating a birthday, they had seen the trail in much worse conditions. In fact, this was their second attempt.
Mary held up a photo from the aborted trip. There was the very same window under three inches of snow. “And that was January last year,” she said. “January!”
While it didn’t provide any further clarity on the view, it confirmed that things got pretty extreme up here. This part of the coast has a reputation for hardiness.
Read the full story on nzherald.co.nz/travel
