Paparoa Track

A 55 km shared-use track over the Paparoa Range on the West Coast, walked in three days or ridden in two by mountain bikers, with no e-bikes allowed. It starts at the Smoke-ho car park, 8 km north of Blackball, and finishes near Punakaiki, at the Pororari River car park for walkers and Waikori Road for riders, so plan a vehicle shuttle. Its memorial role, tied to the 2010 Pike River Mine disaster, gives it a weight the other walks lack, and the Pike29 Memorial Track adds day and overnight options. Expect to meet bikes and pack for winter snow and ice. Heavy rain brings landslides and flooding, and DOC advises against travelling between Pororari Hut and Punakaiki when that happens.