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White Cliffs Walkway

Starts from the Pukearuhe boat ramp at the end of Pukearuhe Road, north of Urenu
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Whitecliffs Walkway (7 hours one way)

See the dramatic changes of the North Taranaki coastline from farmland to forest to mountains to, you guessed it: white cliffs. You can choose to walk the whole thing (14km) or walk to points of interest before making the journey back. The whole track follows a gas pipeline route to Tongaporutu.

The Whitecliffs Walkway starts from the Pukearuhe boat ramp at the end of Pukearuhe Road, north of Urenui. Be aware that the walkway passes over private land and is closed between 1-August and 31- October.

Pukearuhe to Wai Pingao Stream (3-4 hours return)

Follow the signs to the Cliff Top Track, which takes you across open farmland to Mt Davidson. You’ll cross the ridge then descend to the Waipingau Stream. To return to the start, return via the beach at low tide only. Make sure you are able to get back to Pukearuhe no later than two hours after low tide. Otherwise you are screwed. Check out the Met Service tide timetable. If you’re not going to make it, return the way you came.

Pukearuhe to Mt Messenger: (6 – 7 hours one way)

To continue your journey to Mt Messenger, walk across the Parininihi Trig. The track then descends to a junction: the right leads to the Mt Messenger summit and the left continues to the end of the walkway in Tongaporutu (see below). After taking in the views from Mt Messenger, continue to State Highway 3. Arrange transport from SH3, which is approximately 50km north of New Plymouth and 1km from the southern base of Mt Messenger.

Pukearuhe to Tongaporutu: (5 hours one way)

Once you get to the Mt Messenger junction and turn left (see above), continue on the Whitecliffs Walkway down to more private farmland and the old Te Horo tunnel, which is no longer accessible. Now follow Clifton Road with views of the Three Sisters rock formation on the beach. Eventually, a sealed road takes you to the end at Tongaporutu.

 

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