The Kokoda Trail has often been described as gruelling but that doesn’t stop thousands of walkers taking up the challenge each year.
Linking the southern and northern coast of Papua New Guinea, Kokoda is a menagerie of jungle, fauna, mountain streams, valleys and rainforest.
The single file foot track spans some 96km through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea and serves as a reminder of the World War II battle between Japanese and Australian forces in 1942.
Many walkers describe the journey as life-changing and enlightening due to the violent history and the vivid imagery one’s mind can paint along the journey.
The track starts, or ends, at Owers Corner in Central Province, 50km east of Port Moresby, before traversing rugged terrain only passable on foot, to the village of Kokoda in Oro Province. It reaches a height of 2190m and it is highly recommended that a good level of fitness is attained prior to making the journey.
So get your walking boots on and start hitting various terrain and inclines during different weather patterns.
The track can take 4-12 days to complete, depending on fitness levels and the amount of rest time undertaken throughout. Specialised travel organisations can tailor-make itineraries to suit specific requirements of groups and individuals, so it pays to do your research before embarking on this epic journey.
The best time to trek Kokoda is from April to September, during the ‘dry’ season.
