Last Updated: 25th Sep 2024

Beginner

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I've done it Done

Porarari to Cave Creek

Punakaiki, West Coast

Submitted by Mike Tennent

Last Updated: 25th Sep 2024

Beginner

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 23 ?

Gnarl Factor: 34 ?

18.3km

440m

440m

129m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Out and Back

Undulating, small hills only

Native bush

Plantation/exotic forest

Riverside

Open tussock/grasslands

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

5%
50%
25%
20%

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +5.5%

Average Downhill Gradient: -6.0%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

3:30

Slow

2:30

Moderate

1:30

Fast

Head out on the Paparoa/Porarari Trail. As with most Great Walks it is almost footpath quality and you can zoom here a bit and enjoy the run. After about 4km you will come to a large swingbridge on your left. The signs say it leads to the Inland Pack Track... that's where you are going. Immediately you will see the difference in trail as you drop into a more standard back country trail.

Just follow this trail until it pops out onto the 4WD road to Caves Creek, you will know it's the right one because there is a memorial right there. At that point head left, the 4WD track soon changes to a well formed single track all the way to Cave Creek. Take some time to explore and enjoy what nature has created, before retracing your steps back to the start.

About 4km (each way) of the new Paparoa Trail. Cave Creek Canyon area is stunning and there is the memorial for the kids who lost their lives in the horrendous accident.

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.

Sizeable carpark

0 km

1 minutes

No

No

Easy.

Very patchy.

Waterproof leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map

There is the occasional stream after you leave the main river, not sure how safe. but you are by the river for half the run so you should be ok.

Places on the Pack Track may get slushy in winter but overall it should be good

Trail Legend

Brian Aitken

Brian Aitken

has completed Porarari to Cave Creek once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

I only ran along the paparoa trail but that was stunning and very enjoyable. BUT, the point of this review is to.highlight that there was a coffee van with amazing pancakes (see photo) at fox river, just down the road from the start and well worth a visit. Its a mobile van and the guy is only there until midday so dont run too slowly!

Julia Anderson

February 16, 2020

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