Landmark
Ces Clark Hut
KM ≈10.3 · ≈936 m (3,071 ft)
Booked one camp per night, in order
Paparoa Track Permit
Paparoa National Park · West Coast, New Zealand
Great Walk and ride from the Smoke-ho car park near Blackball to Punakaiki, with three huts (Ces Clark, Moonlight Tops and Pororari) and no campsites. Walkers take 3 days over 55 km. Mountain bikers must exit by the Punakaiki River Valley.
Get an alert when every night of your Paparoa Track itinerary has room for your group.
How booking the Paparoa Track works
Paparoa Track: Paparoa National Park, West Coast, New Zealand. The Department of Conservation (DOC) takes the bookings. Huts and campsites are booked night by night on the DOC booking system at bookings.doc.govt.nz.
Paparoa Track elevation profile
Landmark
Ces Clark Hut
Distance ≈10.3 km (6.4 mi) of 39.1 km (24.3 mi)
10.3 km Ces Clark Hut39.1 km Pororari Hut
- Distance
- ≈10.3 km (6.4 mi)
- Elevation
- ≈936 m (3,071 ft)
Paparoa Track landmarks
Map of the Paparoa Track, Ces Clark Hut to Pororari Hut
3 of 3 places in this section
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Contains data sourced from the LINZ Data Service licensed for reuse under CC BY 4.0 · SRTM data courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey · © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
How to get a Paparoa Track permit
- Type
- Backpacking
- Location
- Paparoa National Park, West Coast, New Zealand
- Distance
- 55 km (34.2 mi)
Step 1: How it is booked
Huts and campsites are booked night by night on the DOC booking system at bookings.doc.govt.nz.
Step 2: Book with the agency
Book Paparoa Track on bookings.doc.govt.nz. Have your dates, group size and payment ready.
Step 3: Get an alert when a spot opens
If your dates are full, set an alert at the top of this page. We check bookings.doc.govt.nz and tell you when a spot opens for your whole group.
Step 4: Check the agency page before you go
Fees, release days and closures change. Confirm the current rules on the agency's page before your trip.
Learn more:
In an emergency, call 111.
How much a Paparoa Track permit costs
Paparoa Track permit fee: Per New Zealand adult per night, 1 Oct to 30 Apr: Ces Clark Hut NZ$50, Moonlight Tops Hut NZ$78, Pororari Hut NZ$61 (international adults NZ$76, NZ$117 and NZ$92).
Paparoa Track FAQ
How do I book the Paparoa Track?
Book each hut night on the DOC booking system at bookings.doc.govt.nz. DOC says bookings are open for the 2026/27 season and a booking is required for the three huts.
When does Paparoa Track booking open?
For stays from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, bookings opened on Tuesday 12 May 2026 at 9:30 am New Zealand time, the first Great Walk to open. DOC had not published 2027/28 dates on 29 October 2026.
How much does the Paparoa Track cost?
From 1 October to 30 April a hut night per adult is NZ$50 (Ces Clark), NZ$78 (Moonlight Tops) and NZ$61 (Pororari) at the New Zealand rate, or NZ$76, NZ$117 and NZ$92 at the international rate. Day walks and rides are free.
Can you camp on the Paparoa Track?
DOC lists three huts and no campsites, and says camping is not allowed at the Smoke-ho car park.
How long is the Paparoa Track?
55 km (34.2 mi) on foot over 3 days, or 56.2 km (34.9 mi) by mountain bike over 2 days.
Can you mountain bike the Paparoa Track?
Yes. Bikers must finish through the Punakaiki River Valley to the Waikori Road car park. E-bikes and night riding are not allowed.
Can I get a Paparoa Track booking if the huts are full?
Nights from a cancellation go back on the DOC system. Set an alert on this page and we'll tell you when a spot opens.