About Kokoda Trail
There are two famous trekking routes in Papua New Guinea.
The first route is Mt Wilhelm, the highest peak in the country near the Bismarck Mountains (which run 3,000m from the east to the west of the main island), at 4,509m Mt Wilhelm is substantially higher than Mt Fuji! Trekkers from all over the world gather here to challenge themselves!
The second route is the Kokoda Trail, which is very popular amongst Australians looking to honour their ancestors who fought in the war.
The Kokoda Trail is a trek that takes on average between 7-12 days on the north-south route from Kokoda on the north side of the Owen Stanley Mountains running east to west on the New Guinea Island to the village of Sogeri on the south side over the mountain range.
This route was originally carved out during the Pacific War by the Japanese looking to invade Port Moresby from the north. It was defended by the brave ANZAC soldiers and you will have the opportunity to see the battlefield site!
The Kokoda Trail has a straight line distance of about 60 km and a total distance of 96 km on the map.
Departing from Kokoda at an altitude of about 300m, the highest peak is Kokoda Gap at 2190m, and it crosses eleven hills and mountains from an altitude of about 1000m to about 2000m.
It is a challenging trek depending on your physical condition (between 7 to 12 days) that takes you up a steep trail high in the Owen Stanley Mountains (often called the “backbone of the main island of New Guinea”).
Every night you will stay in either a camp or a simple guest house in some of the villages along the way.
How long does it take to walk the Kokoda Trail?
It will take anything from 7 days to 12 days to complete.
Local porters are renowned for being able to regularly complete it in 3 days!!
For those who have difficulty in walking the entire distance due to physical strength and time restrictions, there is a shorter course that will take 3 to 4 nights to complete.
Is the Kokoda Trail dangerous?
Trekking is generally safe during trekking season because experienced local guides and porters will accompany you to help you with luggage.
What is the best time of year to do the Kokoda Trail?
The peak trekking season is during the dry season from April to October/November.
The rainy season is typically between December and March, usually the roads are muddy (due to the rain) and the river is flooded, making safe crossing difficult. During peak season, trekking companies are regularly booked out, so it is recommended to confirm your booking well in advance.
Can you do Kokoda without a guide?
The Kokoda Trail Association (KTA) does not encourage trekkers to walk without a tour operator, due to safety concerns.
This trek is usually done in small parties of up to 10 people.
Can you give up if it’s too tough?
Since it is an area where cars can hardly enter, giving up is difficult at most points, so sufficient training and managing your physical condition are necessary to complete the trek.
However, if you do get seriously injured or sick, your guide will likely need to call an airplane or helicopter by charter as there are grassy runways around several villages, such as the key village and Naolo village in the middle of the route.
Charter fees are expensive though, so be sure to purchase overseas travel accident insurance.