Kapa Kapa War Trail

The Kapa Kapa Trail was used by American soldiers during World War II in 1942.

Campbell wrote the book Ghost Mountain Boys, which is about soldiers who marched over the 10,000-foot Owen Stanley Mountains to protect the right flank of the Australian army during the battle for New Guinea.

In 2006, Campbell followed the footsteps of the Ghost Mountain Boys and shot a documentary film in the process.

His fascination with PNG, which he has visited five times, and the war in the South Pacific, led him to the story of the Ghost Mountain Boys.

The trail was conquered for the first time by five well-seasoned trekkers in October 2016 led by expert trekker Peter Gamgee on a 17-day expedition.

Gamgee, from the Getaway Trekking Company, completed the track alongside his son in 2011 and has also walked the famous Kokoda Track 12 times.

The Kapa Kapa Trail was used by American soldiers during World War II in 1942 under the command of General Douglas MacArthur during a battle to defeat the Japanese on the northern beaches.

There are about 20 villages along the 220 km trail that runs from Gabagaba in Central Province, across the rugged Owen Stanley Range to the north side of the Peninsula in Northern Province. 

The villages include Arapara, Jaure, Natunga, Kovio, Laruni, Nepeana, Barumbila and Bofu.

Experienced trekker Peter Gamgee said the trail, used during World War 2, now provides opportunities for the locals after it was recently rediscovered.

Gamgee had mapped out the trail in 2011 when he was one of the first to complete the track alongside his son.

The track was used by American soldiers during World War 2 in 1942 under the command of General Douglas MacArthur during a battle to defeat the Japanese on the northern beaches.

The trekkers commenced the 220km journey at Gabagaba Village, Central Province and will across the rugged Owen Stanley Range to the north side of the Peninsula in Northern Province.

Kapa Kapa Trail runs roughly parallel and 30 miles southeast of the famous Kokoda Track.

The group will also visit the Buna area where the Battle of Buna–Gona took place during WW11.