The Paritutu rock hike may be short, but it is quite exciting and not for anyone afraid of heights. The walk up takes about 15 minutes and finishes with stunning 360 degree views.
When you live in an area you become quite familiar with all of the walks and build up a memory bank of those worth repeating. Well, I’ve done the Paritutu Rock hike more than any other (although Pouakai Tarns is another favourite of mine). This walk is on the edge of New Plymouth and doesn’t take very much time. We always take visitors here to get their adrenaline flowing and show them some great views of the area.
Paritutu Rock Hike Overview and Logistics
Highlights – Stunning views, rock scrambling, chains, and stairs
Location – New Plymouth, Taranaki on North Island
Length of Walk – 20 minutes round trip (about 100 m climb)
Difficulty – Moderate (only because it’s a bit of a climb and exposed)
Season – year round in good weather (the wind and rain are more important than time of year)
About Paritutu Rock Hike
The trailhead is located at a carpark that overlooks the port of New Plymouth on the south edge of town. Paritutu Rock itself can be seen from quite a distance because it sticks up from the surrounding area and is next to a towering smoke stack.
The first part of this walk follows some steps up, up, and up. A few minutes into the walk you’ll start to feel puffed. Then you’ll know the fun is about to begin when the steps end. The steps disappear as the track begins to follow up the rock itself.
This second part is a short, steep rocky scramble that goes up. There is a chain anchored into the rock that you can hold on to if you want or see if you can get by without it for more fun.
The way up climbs into a narrow gut and then up along the shoulder of Paritutu. At this point the views become impressive and you can see practically straight down to the port and out over New Plymouth.
Then 15 minutes from the start you top out on a flat area at the top that is surrounded by a fence. There are great views all around from here encompassing the Sugar Loaf Islands, Back Beach, Mt. Taranaki, and New Plymouth itself. So sweet on a sunny, clear day.
My Insider’s Tips To Paritutu Rock Hike
The major tip that I can add is that this walk can be combined with the Centenial Park walk to make a really fun 2 hour or so loop walk. Park at a carpark along Centenial Park by the Herekawe Stream. From there a trail follows the clifftops passing through bush and open grass. Follow the grass around the base of Paritutu Rock to the start of the climb. After descending return and then take the super fun sand gully down to the beach. Follow the beach back to the carpark where you started.
From the flat area at the top you can carry on straight ahead and drop towards the far side of the top from where the trail comes up (still within the fenced area). Scramble by some flax and then you’ll have a great view down over back beach and the islands.
Take your time. On a nice day in summer it can get crowded. Do not rush as it’s really a one at a time kind of walk on the steep part with chains. Take turns and keep everyone safe and happy.