Putangirua Pinnacles [01/04/2017]
near Pirinoa, Wellington (New Zealand)
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Trail photos
Route from the campsite of the Putangirua Pinnacles to the Putangirua Pinnacles, passing through the river bed (Putangirua Stream) and observing the eroded walls at the outset, and the Pinnacles viewpoint and the mountain ridge on the way back.
The route begins at the campsite of the Putangirua Pinnacles, which is managed by the DOC (Department of Conservation) and has water and toilets (watch out for mosquitoes!). At the end of the campsite, and at the beginning of the route, you can find an informative poster about the Putangirua Scenic Reserve, which also offers information on the route. Starting the way, then, always on the banks of the river, at the middle of the middle there are some signs indicating the two possible options to reach the viewpoint of the Putangirua Pinnacles: following the riverbed, or climbing up the mountain ridge. He decides to continue on the riverbed, and go back the other way, although he could do perfectly the other way around. The first leg, therefore, continues along the course of the river, and is quite a loser, considering that the river has been quite dry and quite wide, so there are many paths that can be followed. For this same reason, it is easy to get embedded a bit, and it is advisable to wear long pants, at least during this stretch. Even so, the direction of the riverbed is clear enough, and more or less it is coming to the desired place. On the way, the steep walls have been seen full of falls due to erosion, and also some columns that seem to have been permanently separated from the wall. Bearing in mind that the river bed is still followed, vegetation is quite abundant, especially from a plant similar to the ginestó (if it is not). Continuing towards the Pinnacles, the path is becoming increasingly rocky and the columns are becoming increasingly evident. It is absolutely incredible to see how erosion has shaped these columns of rock and stone so high and right without being disturbed. The forms they have, in addition, are very curious. As the path becomes narrower, more and more pointed columns appear on both sides, and looking back, you can see how the tone is on the way. Finally, you reach a point where the wide path ends, and you can only continue following some of the paths that go into the columns, which may not be more than one meter wide. Since there is no clear or indicated route, and knowing that it is dangerous to continue on a terrain that suffers from constant landslides (heavy rocks of columns in constant erosion can fall), it is decided to go back.
Undoing part of the road, you have to be careful not to pass over the detour that leads to the viewpoint, as it is quite hidden. You need to be alert before reaching the riverbed again, and look at a small path between the plants that turns to the right; In fact, there is an orange mark in the form of a triangle nailed to one of the trees, but it is equally difficult to see if it does not pay attention to it. Once you have found the path, the path begins to climb (130 meters in height in just 400 meters of course) and you can immediately get the first views of the mountains and the Strait of Cook. Finally, once at the top of it, you reach the viewpoint of the Putangirua Pinnacles, which allows you to observe the columns of impressive forms from a privileged position. In fact, the height at which the viewpoint is located is exactly the same height at which it has been reached by entering the Pinnacles (the end of the wide path), so that the visual effect that is obtained Observing the columns allows you to see them in full extent. From the same vantage point you can also see the Strait of Cook and part of the South Island, specifically the Mount Tapuaenuku (the highest mountain in the northeast of the South Island) and the Manakau (the mountain that is in the left of Mount Tapuaenuku). Vigilant of not going beyond the fence that protects the viewpoint so as not to fall, as warned by a poster, it is followed by the crest of the mountain, beginning the descent. Now the views of the Strait of Cook and the mountains of the South Island are much clearer. Finally, you reach the same point on the way to where you have decided to continue along the riverbed, and return to the camp undoing the same path.
This is a simple route, and easy to follow if you are watching the map (especially the detour to go to the viewpoint). At some point on the stretch that follows the river bed, it may be necessary to embed something (depending on the path that is chosen), but it does not have any complications. The reward of being able to observe the magnificent forms of the eroded columns makes it worthwhile to complete this route.
The route begins at the campsite of the Putangirua Pinnacles, which is managed by the DOC (Department of Conservation) and has water and toilets (watch out for mosquitoes!). At the end of the campsite, and at the beginning of the route, you can find an informative poster about the Putangirua Scenic Reserve, which also offers information on the route. Starting the way, then, always on the banks of the river, at the middle of the middle there are some signs indicating the two possible options to reach the viewpoint of the Putangirua Pinnacles: following the riverbed, or climbing up the mountain ridge. He decides to continue on the riverbed, and go back the other way, although he could do perfectly the other way around. The first leg, therefore, continues along the course of the river, and is quite a loser, considering that the river has been quite dry and quite wide, so there are many paths that can be followed. For this same reason, it is easy to get embedded a bit, and it is advisable to wear long pants, at least during this stretch. Even so, the direction of the riverbed is clear enough, and more or less it is coming to the desired place. On the way, the steep walls have been seen full of falls due to erosion, and also some columns that seem to have been permanently separated from the wall. Bearing in mind that the river bed is still followed, vegetation is quite abundant, especially from a plant similar to the ginestó (if it is not). Continuing towards the Pinnacles, the path is becoming increasingly rocky and the columns are becoming increasingly evident. It is absolutely incredible to see how erosion has shaped these columns of rock and stone so high and right without being disturbed. The forms they have, in addition, are very curious. As the path becomes narrower, more and more pointed columns appear on both sides, and looking back, you can see how the tone is on the way. Finally, you reach a point where the wide path ends, and you can only continue following some of the paths that go into the columns, which may not be more than one meter wide. Since there is no clear or indicated route, and knowing that it is dangerous to continue on a terrain that suffers from constant landslides (heavy rocks of columns in constant erosion can fall), it is decided to go back.
Undoing part of the road, you have to be careful not to pass over the detour that leads to the viewpoint, as it is quite hidden. You need to be alert before reaching the riverbed again, and look at a small path between the plants that turns to the right; In fact, there is an orange mark in the form of a triangle nailed to one of the trees, but it is equally difficult to see if it does not pay attention to it. Once you have found the path, the path begins to climb (130 meters in height in just 400 meters of course) and you can immediately get the first views of the mountains and the Strait of Cook. Finally, once at the top of it, you reach the viewpoint of the Putangirua Pinnacles, which allows you to observe the columns of impressive forms from a privileged position. In fact, the height at which the viewpoint is located is exactly the same height at which it has been reached by entering the Pinnacles (the end of the wide path), so that the visual effect that is obtained Observing the columns allows you to see them in full extent. From the same vantage point you can also see the Strait of Cook and part of the South Island, specifically the Mount Tapuaenuku (the highest mountain in the northeast of the South Island) and the Manakau (the mountain that is in the left of Mount Tapuaenuku). Vigilant of not going beyond the fence that protects the viewpoint so as not to fall, as warned by a poster, it is followed by the crest of the mountain, beginning the descent. Now the views of the Strait of Cook and the mountains of the South Island are much clearer. Finally, you reach the same point on the way to where you have decided to continue along the riverbed, and return to the camp undoing the same path.
This is a simple route, and easy to follow if you are watching the map (especially the detour to go to the viewpoint). At some point on the stretch that follows the river bed, it may be necessary to embed something (depending on the path that is chosen), but it does not have any complications. The reward of being able to observe the magnificent forms of the eroded columns makes it worthwhile to complete this route.
Waypoints
Information point
102 ft
Cartell informatiu a l'inici de la ruta
Cartell informatiu a l'inici de la ruta
Photo
148 ft
Paret escarpada al costat del Putangirua Stream
Paret escarpada al costat del Putangirua Stream
Panorama
686 ft
Vista de l'estret de Cook i del Mount Tapuaenuku (Illa Sud)
Vista de l'estret de Cook i del Mount Tapuaenuku (Illa Sud)
Intersection
157 ft
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