A comprehensive guide to Walking the
Paekakariki Escarpment Track
New Zealand
This is a reasonably new track on the Kapiti Coast and is rightly
becoming a hugely popular 1/2 day walk in the Wellington region and is also proudly part of the Te Araroa National Trail network.
The Paekakariki Escarpment Track is an absolute must if you are visiting the Wellington Region.
So I would suggest you get a group together and go see what all the fuss is about. The great thing is it is so well arranged that you can start at one end walk one way and return via the train to where you started, and still be back to the cafes in Paekakariki, Raumati, Waikanae or Paraparaumu for Lunch if you head there in the morning.
Some basic things to know –
It is 10km long, rising to 220 metres above sea level, and most people take 3-4 hours to walk one way (there’s nothing stopping you walking there and back), there are two swing bridges, there’s loads of steps, there are a few benches to sit and catch your breath and be aware there’s no water on the track (bring your own).
The track can be started at either Pukerua Bay or Paekakariki and return is available via Tranz Metro. Please be aware there is a certain level of fitness required.
Walking the track –
I walked the track in both ways when working on this article to get a feeling for the track. It has to be said there is a bit of a difference, speaking to people on the track they also felt there was a difference ( I met many people who had walked both ways dozens of times and so were well versed to comment), from my experience I felt walking from the north was physically harder, I think that could be physcological, but the reality is that from the North you start at sea level and end well above sea level at Pukerua Bay.
If you arrive at the train station in Paekakariki, to access the track walk south along the platform until you reach the newly completed path that runs between the train track and State Highway 1, walk to the end of this then pass under SH1 to bring you out onto the track proper.
In the heat of summer there is no question it feels exposed not long after you have started climbing, there is a scree slope here before you round the first bend. The track undulates for a while before you start the first climb and set of steps, don’t worry there’s plenty more of these to come. Best to get into a rythmn now.
I’ve spent many hours in the European Alps and for some reason memories of my time walking the lower slopes to access steep climbs in Italy came flooding bac, particularly in the heat of summer. The great thing was I had no heavy pack as I was only carrying an extra top, some food and plenty of Water, oh and plus a couple of Cameras.
Once you have conquered the mental challenge and you focus back on the stunning surroundings the steps get
much easier.
I spoke to as many people as possible during my walk and was great to see how diverse the walkers were, I saw Family groups, youngest children I saw were around 9-10years old and they seemed to be loving themselves, there we single people, couples, walking groups, I also was suprised to see many people running it, some training for multi-events others just getting fit. The age range was from the young children right through to a number of people in there late 60’s and 70’s, a gentleman I spoke to who would have been in this category had been walking the track almost once a week since it first opened.
When walking from the north reaching the summit is a great achievement and perfect spot for lunch, although if you want some shade you will need to walk further to find the main area with some seating and covered bush.
A while after the summit and a drop down in elevation and passing through some of the bush that will undoutably give some respite from the shade comes an undulating section of up and down, which for also brought memories of another place on the other side of the world. The Dorset coast in England now know as the Jurassic Coast due to the finds in the last 20 years or so of Dinosaur bones in the cliffs and hills near the coast, it is a an undulating coastlines where the paths lead you aling the cliff edge, and is a hive of activity in the summer just as the Escarpment Track is, I was amazed at the constant stream of people all day, despite this it doesn’t detract from your
experience.
As you head further north Pukerua Bay and the South Island in the distance come into view, and on a clear day you can get a fantastic view across Mana Island to the south.
Next to look forward to is the swing bridges, which I know for some is something to be feared but honestly they are more steady than many I have been on and are not particularly long, the kids will love them, the adults may be not.
Not long after the bridges you close in on Pukerua Bay, you know you are close when the train track comes close to your right hand side. A short distance through the residential area of Pukerua brings you out to Pukerua Bay train Station. A welcome relief and time to grab a drink of water before the train arrives to take you home.
Some helpful links to find out more –
Te Araroa Walking – www.teararoa.org.nz
Kapiti Coast District Council – www.kcdc.govt.nz
Kapiti Bush project – www.kapitibush.org.nz
Department of Conservation – www.doc.govt.nz
Official New Zealand Tourism Page –https://www.facebook.com/purenewzealand
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