The Pike29 Memorial Track
There’s no shortage of breathtaking views and lush oases on the West Coast of the South Island and the recent reopening of Logburn Road allows access to yet another beautiful area, this one with a poignant past.
The Pike29 Memorial Track
After over a decade of the area being closed due to the Pike River Mine disaster, the Pike Valley's Pike29 Memorial Track officially opened on February 16, 2024, connecting the Paparoa Great Walk to the Pike River mine site. This track emerged from a collaborative effort between the Pike River families, Department of Conservation (DOC) and Ngāti Waewae, as a way to honour the 29 men who died in the Pike River Mine on November 19, 2010. With information panels along the track and at the car park, the track serves as both a space for reflection and remembrance as well as offering a boost to the local economy.
On this occasion, we walked a short way up the track to the Twin Bridges. Walkers and mountain bikers share this trail, which ascends quickly through lush ancient podocarp forest, offering ever-changing vistas around every corner. Our brief excursion left us impressed, and if our 15-minute taster is any indication of the track ahead, visitors are in for a treat. Mountain bikers, take note—this promises to be an epic downhill track experience!
You'll need a reasonable level of fitness to complete the entire track. Continuing up the full 11.6 km leads to the Paparoa Ridgeline, about 800 metres above the Pike Valley floor, and further on a little way to the Paparoa Track junction.
According to Mark Nelson, DOC Senior Works Officer, the track's construction was challenging due to steep terrain and geological factors. The track meanders around trees with no straight lines, designed to minimise tree removal and protect root structures. A variety of birdlife was identified by the track crew working with DOC, Nelson explains, and these include Kiwi, Kaka and Kea. Powelliphanta snails were also detected—this threatened species is one of the largest snails in the world.
The incredible team who worked to build this unique world-class track, which is now part of New Zealand's 10th Great Walk.
Whether hiking or biking the Pike29 Memorial Track, fishing Pike Stream or the headwaters of Big River, capturing photos of the forest or simply enjoying lunch in this amazing spot, if you're on the West Coast the Pike Valley is worth a visit. For more information on the walking track, visit DOC's Pike29 Memorial Track page.
To get there, it is about a 50 minute drive northeast of Greymouth on SH6 and on to Taylorville-Blackball Road which becomes Atarau Road. At the turn-off to Logburn Road is home to the roadside memorial for the Pike 29 miners—a site to read about the tragedy and to pay respects to those who lost their lives. Logburn Road then continues on, into Pike Valley Road, passing through farmland for several kilometres before crossing Big River and entering Paparoa National Park. For the public, the road's end lies at the Pike29 Memorial Track car park, nestled in the valley surrounded by the Paparoa mountains.
The reopening of Logburn Road will also come as good news for avid anglers as it provides access to the Big River headwaters, and Pike Stream—both of which hold moderate stocks of brown trout.
At Adventure Guide, we don't simply offer routes—we show you interesting locations, incredible vistas, off-the-beaten-track spots and hidden gems in the South Island. Find these places and more with AdventureTokens, or view the Adventure Guide map for routes, fuel stations and vehicle-accessible huts and campsites