Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

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Bullock Creek

Punakaiki, West Coast

Submitted by Katie Smith

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 17 ?

Gnarl Factor: 35 ?

15.4km

210m

210m

169m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Undulating, small hills only

Native bush

Beach

Coastal

Riverside

Run Makeup

5%
40%
15%
40%

Sealed Road

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +5.1%

Average Downhill Gradient: -5.1%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

2:15

Slow

1:45

Moderate

1:15

Fast

This is another loop option taking in some of the lovely tracks around Punakaiki. It's a run of two halves - the first half is flowing single track, the second all 4WD road, but the views throughout are stunning.

Start up the Pororari River track. This has just been upgraded, and is easy single track, heading through a cave, and with great views of the river. At the first main track junction turn left towards the Inland Pack Track. From here the track gets rougher, and is often quite wet. There are areas of cyclone damage where the trees have all been knocked down - quite eerie 4-5 years later. There are plenty of little ups and downs, and nice views from the swing bridge.

Eventually you come to another junction, with a right turn towards Cave Creek marked. Turn left instead, then left again when you get to the gravel road. This is signposted to Bullock Creek road. From here the running is easier, but the views keep opening up, as you are mainly out of the bush. There are impressive limestone cliffs visible for most of the rest of the run. The gravel road is generally really quiet. It comes out onto the main highway about 1km from where you parked - turn left again here, cross over the road and follow the path by its side until you get back to the car.

Stunning limestone cliffs, caves and formations

Plenty of parking

0 km

1 minutes

Unknown

No

Easy.

Very patchy.

Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map

Plenty of water from streams

Gets very wet and boggy after rain

Trail Legend

Alex Rose

Alex Rose

has completed Bullock Creek once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

Stunning loop, definitely worth the short out-and-back to Cave Creek too.

Tom Brennan

March 6, 2023

Absolutely beautiful! Had the trail to myself after turning off from the Pororari River/Paparoa Track. Highly recommend that when you reach the junction at the Cave Creek memorial, you take a moment to reflect, then take the track to the right to check out the Cave Creek resurgence. Double back to the memorial and carry on to Bullock Creek Road.

Sarah Coxon

December 7, 2020

Great shorter loop option to the full inland pack track route, but without the transport hassle. Area will be getting a lot busier soon with the Great Walk!

Tony Sharpe

July 18, 2019

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Overlapping Trails

These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.

Porarari to Cave Creek

Porarari to Cave Creek

Length: 18.3km

Level: Beginner

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Tiropahi Trail

Tiropahi Trail

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The Paparoa

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Length: 55.0km

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Punakaiki-Pororari loop

Punakaiki-Pororari loop

Length: 11.0km

Level: Beginner

Punakaiki Loop

Punakaiki Loop

Length: 15.9km

Level: Beginner - Intermediate

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