Te Araroa – New Zealand’s Trail will open the spectacular Paekākāariki Escarpment Track on Saturday 9 April.
Register for one of five walk departure times (every 30 mins from 11am to 1pm) and be one of the first to experience this newest addition to Te Araroa. Even better – dodge the traffic and catch the train to Paekākāariki then home again from Pukerua Bay.
The Track is 10km long and takes about four hours to complete. It runs high above the railway line between Paekākāariki and Pukerua Bay and presents plenty of steps up, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Kāpiti Coast and beyond. It’s the Wellington region’s very own Stairway to Heaven!
The opening walk day will be cancelled if there is bad weather.
Please note the following:
– For a smooth and safe walking experience, please walk south from Paekākāariki to Pukerua Bay
– Catching the train is the best form of transport, however if you choose to drive please park in the Paekākāariki Railway Station
– To enter the track, from Paekākāariki village walk south to the end of Ames St turning left onto the path along SH1 and then down the steps immediately north of the rail overpass
– The walk is unsuitable for people with vertigo and children younger than 8 as it is a challenging walk with a lot of steps, climbs and two swingbridges. It can be exposed in poor weather
– Bring sunblock, appropriate clothing, and food and water
– There are no toilets on the track – use the facilities in Paekākāariki (corner Beach Rd and Wellington Rd) and adjacent to the Pukerua Bay shops
– There are cafe and bar facilities in Paekākāariki, to fuel up before or after your walk
– No dogs – the track passes through private farming land
WHERE
Track start – Ames Street – south end, Paekākāariki, New Zealand
Te Araroa – New Zealand’s Trail
Te Araroa is New Zealand’s Trail – taking in spectacular New Zealand landscapes from beaches to volcanoes to forests to cities. The 3000km route stretching from Cape Reinga in the North of New Zealand to Bluff in the South was officially opened in 2011 and is the greatest New Zealand adventure there is – and should be on every Kiwi’s bucket list. Te Araroa is a trust and relies on external funding and the generous support of many good volunteers.
Walk it all, walk it in your lifetime, walk New Zealand – walk Te Araroa!
