Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Cape Farewell
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 14 ?
Gnarl Factor: 21 ?
10.0km
400m
400m
153m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 14 ?
Gnarl Factor: 21 ?
10.0km
400m
400m
153m
Front country - easily accessible
Point to Point (one way)
Undulating, small hills only
Native bush
Beach
Coastal
Open farmlands
Open ridges/tops
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +8.6%
Average Downhill Gradient: -11.2%
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2:00
Slow
1:20
Moderate
0:45
Fast
The best way to enjoy this run is to be dropped off and picked up at the other end. Run with the wind because this area has strong winds from either north or south and the track is exposed.
Starting at the Farewell Spit carpark in Puponga follow signs for the Fossil Point Walk or Puponga Hilltop Walk which heads north across sheep paddocks. The track starts flat until Fossil Point (which is worth a side trip) then climbs up onto the small Old Man Range and you follow this open top range climbing up and down all the way to Wharariki Beach and the carpark.
The sea and cliff top views are stunning but are very exposed with vertical plunges into the sea. Take a dip at Wharariki Beach - one of the finest beaches in Aotearoa!
Stunning cliff top views of Farewell Spit and Golden Bay also rugged coast line.
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
Plenty of parking at either carpark, though can be packed in January. Carparks are safe.
23 km
24 minutes
Unknown
No
Moderate.
Follow poles across open farm land
Patchy.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Cellphone, Map
take water with you there is none on track
wind can blow 100 km year round be prepared
stay back from cliff edges and watch small children these cliffs have sadly claimed lives.
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Cape Farewell
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Loved this trail! I did it from East - West and started up the Old Man range rather than going down to the main Farewell Spit carpark - this cuts out a somewhat boring section across farm paddocks (Triangle Flat). I was lucky to get a relatively windless day. Views are amazing, as was the swim at the end aty Wharariki!
January 30, 2024
Don't miss out on this one if you are in Mohua. Find out which way the wind is blowing though, and go with it! Its reputation as a notoriously windy spot is not just a rumour. And you will probably not be speeding it, there are just toooo many beautiful sights to take in.
October 17, 2022
Wow, that’s a lotta bang for your buck! Sooo much variety of terrain, landscape, views, and wildlife in such a short distance. I am contemplating walking it next time to linger and explore at various spots along the way. Strongly suggest to allow for a bunch of time at Wharariki Beach afterwards; it’s magic. I did run back to the start along the road, which wasn’t particularly rewarding, but I had volunteered to do my party’s car shuttle and it was well worth it overall.
December 29, 2021
5 stars and surely a candidate for the most scenic 10km coastal run in NZ! Don't be put of by the small error in GPX file near Cape Farewell- just follow the track not the straight line through thin air :-)
July 14, 2021
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