Sometimes, you're just chilling on a black sand beach and you spot a massive rock, and you think, “I’d love to climb that.”  So, you check AllTrails, and to your surprise, it’s totally climbable and it’s only a 300 meter trail. That was my exact thought process at Paritutu Rock, and let me tell you, everything just clicked.

But, fair warning, the climb isn’t a breeze. You’ll be scaling a rock face with metal chains to help you balance, and it gets steep. I’d definitely recommend wearing proper footwear for good grip and making sure you’re only attempting it on a clear, sunny day when the conditions are safe. The whole climb should only take about 20 minutes, and once you make it to the top, the views of the beach and Mount Taranaki in the background are chef's kiss. Just stay cautious and take your time, it’s definitely a challenge, but the payoff is worth it!