Te Araroa Trail Paekakariki Escarpment Track
I had a thoroughly exhausting, but surprisingly enjoyable day today. It began at 7.30am as I climbed the marvellous Paekakariki Escarpment track. It was really windy, so I wasn’t sure initially if I’d be able to do it, but I chatted with a couple of locals who assured me it was fine 🙂
The Paekakariki Escarpment track is a relatively newly-opened section of Te Araroa trail. It is approximetely 10kms from Paekakariki to Pukerua. What beautiful track!! There were with lots of ups and downs, lots of stairs and a couple of swing bridges. It gave great views up and down the Kapiti coast as far as the eye could see.
I passed a number of people on the track including several trail runners. How amazing to have a track like this on your doorstep!
The rest of the day was spent walking through urban areas, but it was really nice. I’ve driven past these places before as I’ve gone in and out of Wellington, but have never stopped.
Plimmerton
The trail went from Pukerua to Plimmerton, where I had a fabulous lunch at Cafe Oranje. The lovely staff gifted me a cake and a second hot chocolate!!
After lunch it was on to Paremata, through the Aotea lagoon, through the lovely grounds of the Gear Homestead then skirting the Adrenaline Forest, then into Porirua.
Camp Elsdon is home for the night tonight. I’m pretty excited about hitting Welly tomorrow!