Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park, West Coast NZ

Exceptional views over the Paparoa Range from the Buckland Peaks. Stay at the hut or camp out to give yourself more time to explore the tops.

Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park

I’d come across the Buckland Peaks Track while looking over topo maps, and it looked like a doozy. With a two day weather window and some mid week leave planned, my wife Sophia and I headed over to the West Coast and spent a night camping up on the Buckland Peaks tops. The views are exceptional, and with a decent sized plateau to wander around you can get numerous perspectives on peaks in the Paparoa Range, views inland, and views up and down the coast.

There is a hut just above the bushline that is apparently quite nice. However it requires a detour from the main track and we opted to head straight for the tops and camp up there. There’s a number of small tarns for water, and some good flat ground. The highest points are at about 1380m of elevation. 

This was my first substantial walk in over two months due to a broken toe, and by the end I was absolutely buggered! So it’s quite hard work with a full pack, however the extra time to explore the tops is very much worth it in good weather, and you don’t want to miss these views. 

Track notes at the end.

Buckland Peaks Track: The Scenery

Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park

Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
The forest was pretty standard, however I thought it got quite atmospheric up high towards the bushline.
Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
I liked this forest scene.
Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
Westport and the Buller River.
Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
The Buckland Peaks and a few initial glimpses of more distant peaks to the south.

Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park

Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
Dramatic topography in Paparoa National park viewed from the Buckland Peaks.
Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
Sophia posing in one of many epic panoramas that I took.
Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
Townson Tarn
Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
One of my favourite panoramas of the day.
Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
Sophia posing with the views inland behind her.
Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
This panorama was taken a bit closer to the campsite than the others.
Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
This tarn made for a nice foreground subject. We used it for water.

 

 

Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
Our campsite.
Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
My camera picked up some extra golden lighting at sunset.
Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
Getting dark.
Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
The sunset viewed from our camp.
Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
In the morning.

Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park

Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
We went back up and explored the highest points on the plateau the next morning in different lighting. Looking north here.
Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
Leaving the tops.
Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
Looking down Kitto Creek from near the saddle.
Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
Descending towards the bushline.

Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park

Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
Arriving here at the bottom of the mountain. You have to walk through large tracts of tea tree on a vehicle track to get back to the start.
Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
Lots of weka on the West Coast. I saw this one near the base of the mountain.

Track Notes

Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
You have to walk this section through private land (biking not allowed). It is easygoing, but was hot and tiring on our way back.
Buckland Peaks Track, Paparoa National Park
This is the route from the start of the foot track at the base of the mountain. Above the bushline you can keep low to avoid climbing point 1185m. If you visit the hut you can actually take a track form the hut to the small saddle between point 1185 and 1175 (not shown). The route to the tops is poled and has some cairns. We explored the south-eastern section of the tops where we got some of the best views.

There’s a 5-6km walk across private land on a vehicle track to start, with very little shade. That was fine on the way out but was a real slog on the way back. It passes through large areas of tea tree scrub. 

Once up to the base of the mountain it’s a steady (occasionally steep) climb through various forest types to the bushline. You can then drop down to the hut and maybe offload some gear, or else keep on going to the tops, following a poled/ cairned route.  When up on the tops you can choose your own adventure, but you’ll want to at least head down to the southern end and explore a few vantage points around there for the best views. 

If you are doing it in a day then try and give yourself lots of daylight to explore the tops before returning. The DOC site suggests 6 hours up and with a heavy pack you’ll probably need that. Allow roughly 5 hours for the descent because its still sometimes slow going through the forest. Start at the car park on Bucklands Peak Road, which is signposted off the main highway (although not so obvious so keep a look out).  

 

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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