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West Coast · Hiking

Ōkārito Trig Walk: Walking Guide, Time & Access

A walker seen from behind carrying a grey and orange backpack, with hills in the background.

Illustrative photograph. General backpacking illustration; location unverified. This is not a photograph of the named route or evidence of its terrain, condition or difficulty.

Photo: Cody Black / Unsplash License / Details

This walk takes you up to a Trig viewpoint, with views over the alps to lagoons and beaches.

Last checked 8 October 2026 · Department of Conservation

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Key facts

Distance
4.2 km return via same track
Walking time
1 hr 30 min
Track grade
Easy
Location
Ōkārito area
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.

Route overview

This walk takes you up to a Trig viewpoint, with views over the alps to lagoons and beaches.

This DOC directory entry covers Ōkārito Trig Walk in West Coast, within Ōkārito area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

  • Distance: 4.2 km return via same track
  • Walking time: 1 hr 30 min
  • DOC grade: Easy

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

  • Predator control for Ōkārito area; First published on 2 November 2021. Last reviewed on 10 June 2026.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

The Ōkārito Trig walk initially follows the Ōkārito Wetland Walk and Three Mile Pack Track before branching off to the left after around10-15 minutes walking. The walk winds gently uphill on a well-graded track, before reaching the Ōkārito Trig viewpoint.

On a clear day, the view is unbeatable overlooking Westland/Tai Poutini National Park from the snow-capped Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana across extensive native forest to the lagoons and beaches of the coast.

Getting there

Drive 15 km north from Franz Josef Township on State Highway 6 to the Ōkārito turnoff signposted on the left. Drive 13 km along a sealed road to Ōkārito. The walks begin at the car park next to the Ōkārito School House on The Strand in Ōkārito.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.

Sources & official links

  1. 1.Ōkārito Trig Walk: official route information— Department of Conservation
  2. 2.DOC walking and tramping directory— Department of Conservation

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