Pororari Hut

Track description

Time: 6 hr return

From the Pororari River car park, the track passes through lush rainforest with glades of nikau palms. It then climbs through beech forest interspersed with northern rata and sidles through a spectacular gorge. From the upper Pororari River valley, it climbs to Pororari Hut where there are stunning 360 degree views. Follow the same track back to car park. From Pororari Hut the track continues to the emergency shelter on the northern end of the escarpment. This track includes good views before it transitions into alpine bush and the emergency shelter. Follow the same track back to Pororari Hut. Fees are charged per person, per night to stay in Pororari Hut. There are no fees to complete a day walk on the track or for entry into Paparoa National Park.

Places to stay

There are three Great Walk huts on the Paparoa Track: Ces Clark Hut, Moonlight Tops Hut and Pororari Hut. Huts have bunks, mattresses, heating, gas cooktops, toilets, and a water supply. A DOC ranger may be present. The huts do not provide food, cooking utensils or showers. Backcountry Hut Passes can be used at Ces Clark Hut but not at Moonlight Tops or Pororari Huts. There are no campsites on the track. You'll need accommodation the night before your walk - camping at Smoke-ho car park is not permitted. Fees are charged per person, per night to stay in huts on the Paparoa Track. There are no fees to complete a day walk/ride on the track or for entry into Paparoa National Park. Book Paparoa Track online . All three huts must be booked in advance. If you don’t have a valid booking for your stay, you may be charged a penalty, or turned away if the hut is full.

Moonlight Tops Hut to Pororari Hut

Time: 5–7 hr

19.1 km Along this section of track you will meet the junction of the Pike ridge with the main Paparoa Range, where the Pike29 Memorial Track and the Pike River Mine site begins. Beyond the junction, the Paparoa Track winds along the top of the escarpment, with steep cliffs and stunning views down to the Pike Stream and out towards the coast. There is an emergency shelter on the northern end of the escarpment. About half-way to Pororari Hut, you descend from the escarpment through ancient podocarp forest. The track then follows the ridge above Tindale Creek to Pororari Hut. Keep an eye out for the Lone Hand, a gnarled outcrop of bedrock on the north side of the Pororari River.

Pororari Hut to Pororari River car park or Waikori Road car park

Time: 4–5 hr

km to Pororari River car park, 17.1 km to Waikori Road carpark The track descends into the upper Pororari River valley and follows the river. In some places it follows an old track which was built c1912–1914 to establish a settlement in the valley. The track sidles along a spectacular gorge and descends through beech forest interspersed with northern rātā. The Paparoa Track then passes the junction to the Cave Creek Memorial/Inland Pack Track. This track is dedicated to the memory of 13 students and a DOC officer. Their lives where lost when a viewing platform at Cave Creek collapsed on 28 April 1995. In another 300 m the Paparoa Track diverges at a junction. Walkers can exit out to the Pororari River car park. Mountain bikers must exit out the Punakaiki River Valley to Waikori Road car park.