Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner

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I've done it Done

Cape Farewell

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Grunt Factor: 14 ?

Gnarl Factor: 21 ?

10.0km

400m

400m

153m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Point to Point (one way)

Undulating, small hills only

Native bush

Beach

Coastal

Open farmlands

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

40%
40%
20%

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +8.6%

Average Downhill Gradient: -11.2%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

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.

You and Cape Farewell

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Trail Reviews

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!

Caitlin Carew

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.

Britta Steude

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.

Matt Halverson

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 :-)

Mike McManaway

July 14, 2021

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