Open tops give way to alpine forest stunted by the harsh environment. Along this section of the track, you meet the junction of the Pike Ridge with the main Paparoa Range. Here the Pike29 Memorial Track to the Pike River Mine site begins. Beyond the junction, the Paparoa Track winds along the top of the escarpment where the landscape is strikingly dramatic with sheer drops and stunning views down the Pike Stream in the east, stretching west to Punakaiki and north-west to Westport. About halfway to Pororari Hut, you descend from the escarpment to walk through ancient podocarp forest under towering cliffs. The track then follows the spine of the Tindale ridge to Pororari Hut. As you traverse the ridge, look north to see the Lone Hand, a curious and gnarled outcrop of bedrock on the north side of the Pororari River.

Paparoa Track then descends and follow the upper Pororari River valley, just above the river itself, until it joins an old pack track built to establish settlement in the upper valley. The track sidles a spectacular gorge and descend towards the coast through beech forest interspersed with northern rātā. From here you will catch glimpses of the lower Pororari River Gorge. At the junction with the historic Inland Pack Track, walkers and mountain bikers diverge; mountain bikers descend into the Punakaiki River valley, ending at Waikori Road car park. Both pass through lush rainforest with serene glades of nīkau palms.