Last Updated: 15th Jan 2025
Punakaiki Loop
Pororari River to Cave Creek Memorial return via Bullock Creek
Submitted by James James
Last Updated: 15th Jan 2025
Open
Grunt Factor: 18 ?
Gnarl Factor: 23 ?
15.9km
345m
345m
Last Updated: 15th Jan 2025
Submitted by James James
Last Updated: 15th Jan 2025
Open
Grunt Factor: 18 ?
Gnarl Factor: 23 ?
15.9km
345m
345m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, small hills only
Native bush
Riverside
Sealed Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +4.3%
Average Downhill Gradient: -4.3%
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2:30
Slow
1:45
Moderate
1:20
Fast
Start at the Punakaiki Rocks Tavern, heading north 200m, cross the road, and enter the Pororari River Track.
Continue alongside the river on the well-formed undulating single trail for 3.5km until you meet the Paparoa Track (Cycle Access) junction. From here continue upriver for another 300m where you find a swingbridge.
Cross here and regain the single trail that will gradually gain height over the course of 5.5km until it hits a 4WD track and the turn-off point to descend into Cave Creek and the memorial. Continuing NW to a locked gate that takes you to the junction of Bullock Creek Road.
From here you follow the 4WD track as with winds itself out over the course of another 5-6km before reaching the State Highway once again.
Cross the road here and follow the roadside trail that takes you back to the Pororari River Bridge and the Punakaiki Rocks Tavern a short distance down the road where you can rehydrate and enjoy a nice meal.
Cave Creek Memorial.
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.
Ample parking at the Tavern or at the Pororari River bridge carpark.
1 minutes
No
No
Easy.
Route travels anti-clockwise.
Non-existent.
Lightweight fleece top, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
River water containing tannin: an unappealing color, and it's always recommended to treat water before drinking.
None.
Exposed tree roots in some places.
Punakaiki Rocks Tavern
Punakaiki
https://www.punakaikirocks.co.nz/
Scenic Hotel Punakaiki
Punakaiki
https://www.scenichotelgroup.co.nz/punakaiki/scenic-hotel-punakaiki/
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Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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This is an incredible run. I first experienced ave Creek in the mid 90's, just 3 months before the awful tragedy. Still seems like yesterday and still seems very surreal and just so sad. Have been back a couple of times more recently. Haunting at the accident site but a wonderful loop of pristine NZ
October 30, 2023
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.
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