Best backpacking trails in Waikato, New Zealand

You will need transport to drop you off at the beginning. Very interesting and well worth doing in its own right.Show more

From Te Tuhi Road end this track passes over private land, DOC have an agreement with the landowner that access is available into the park, Please be respectful and stick to the marked route when traversing the farmland, This is a working farm so please do not change anything such as gates. You will park at the road end and walk for approximately 25min up the gravel driveway, Here the marked route drops away through a paddock and is clearly marked with DOC orange triangles. You work you way up the hill before dropping down to the small creek at the edge of the park, It is approximately 40-45min from the road end to this point, , From here you begin climbing up the hill gaining 220m in elevation over a short period before the top where you will find relatively smooth terrain the remainder of the way, The track continues east for a while, You will come to a track junction where you turn right heading south towards the hut,The Hut is approx 1.5 hours from here. If you continue east you will meet the junction of the North South Track, The entire trip from road end to hut will take approx 3 hours, From the hut you can head east to complete it as a circuit, You will head east and then meet up with the north south track where you will then head North past Ngamuwahine Shelter and eventually meet up with the Te Tuhi Track again. https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/bay-of-plenty/places/kaimai-mamaku-conservation-park/things-to-do/huts/mangamuka-hut/Show more

Walk up to Cookson & Wainora Kauri Trees. Show more

A great day out, with varied bush and magnificent views to the Huntly power station, Mt Te Aroha, the Hauraki Plains and the Gulf. The track begins at a gate (where there is a DOC sign). Follow the orange DOC triangles and white marker posts across private land. The track leaves the farm road and climbs steeply through a pine plantation to the bush edge. Once in the bush, the track is well marked.Show more

A route designed as a loop from Franklin Road end to the Waitawheta Hut via Waitawheta Track. The return leg takes a wider/longer path, on less used tracks so prepare for this to take much longer than the trip out.Show more

The track is moderately easy and you can comfortably complete the hike with an overnight stopover at Rangipo Hut (hut tickets required). Show more

Final stretch of the Tongariro Northern Circuit. Quite beautiful / serene and an easy stride down. There are a few side trips on the way can be added on.Show more

Had to abandon first day of Tongariro Northern Curcuit due to a sprained ankle, rested up then made it out to the hut via Desert Rd drop off Amazing views and surroundings from desert to rainforest, always with mount Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu in the backdropShow more