Paparoa Track
~3 days · 31.9 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Paparoa Track is known for
New Zealand's newest Great Walk, traversing the Paparoa Range's alpine tops and limestone karst between the Smoke-ho trailhead near Blackball and the nikau palm coast at Punakaiki.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 43 ft to 3,714 ft over 31.9 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 9.6 mi · 30%
- Downhill 14.9 mi · 47%
- Flat 7.4 mi · 23%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Paparoa Track?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Paparoa Track scores 31/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Paparoa Track take?
Most backpackers hike the Paparoa Track in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 31.9 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Paparoa Track?
The Paparoa Track climbs roughly 7,733 ft total — about 243 ft per mile, topping out near 3,740 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.