Kokoda Track
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- For the World War II battle please go to Kokoda Track Campaign.
The Kokoda Track or Kokoda Trail is single-file track starting at Ower's Corner 50km east of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea and runs 90 kms overland (60kms as the crow flies) through the Owen Stanley Range to Kokoda.
The track crosses some of the most rugged and most isolated terrain in the world and it is only passable on foot. It includes a height of 2,250 metres at Mount Bellamy.
Hot humid days with intensely cold nights, torrential rainfall and endemic tropical diseases such as malaria make it a challenge to walk. Despite the challenge posed it is a popular hike that takes between 6 and 9 days (depending on fitness). Locals have been known to be able hike the route in 3 days.
History
The trail was first used by Europeans in the 1890's by miners struggling northwards to the Yodda Kokoda goldfields.
During the Pacific War of World War II a series of battles were fought from July 1942 to January 1943 between Japan and Australian troops.
Walking
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External links
- Kokoda Trail (http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/)