Waiorongomai & Mount Te Aroha routes
Route
Getting there
The Waiorongomai Valley lies at the end of Waiorongomai Loop Road off SH 29, 4 kilometres south of Te Aroha.
These routes commence within the Kaimai Forest Park. Please consult the Te Aroha and Waiorongomai walks brochure for further details.
About the area
The Waiorongomai Valley in Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park contains the historic site of the Piako County Tramway, New Zealand oldest tramway. You can walk in the valley through regenerating native bush.
At 952 metres Mount Te Aroha is the highest point in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park. Te Aroha township was developed during the 1880s as a spa town. The domain at Te Aroha still retains the look of Edwardian times and visitors can experience stepping back in time.
Description
Waiorongomai Saddle to Tui Saddle Route
Time: 1 hr 30 min one way
This track starts at the Waiorongomai saddle and finishes at the Tui Saddle. From the Plutus Claim Track the Mangakino Pack Track Route heads north for 1 hour before meeting the junction with the Tui Saddle Track. The track is for experienced people with possible windfalls and steep slippery sections. It meanders through gullies around the side of a ridge. This used to be the main thoroughfare from the Waiorongomai Goldfields to the Ohinemuri Goldfields near Paeroa. From the Junction it is a steady climb to Tui Saddle. There is a choice of either the Tui Road (1 hour) or the Te Aroha Summit (1 hour 30 minutes).
This is a route only and is rough and overgrown in places. Experience is required.
Kauri Grove Route
Time: 3 hr one way
This track starts at the side track down to Bendigo Battery and finishes at the Junction with the New Era Branch Line.The side track leaves the Low Level Loop Track after approximately 45 minutes. Just before the battery site the route crosses the Waiorongomai Stream and climbs very steeply to a junction with the Pylon Line Route. After this the track descends steeply to the north through a grove of kauri rickers, then undulates with small stream crossings before meeting the junction with the New Era Branch Track.
This is a route only and is rough and overgrown in places. Experience is required.
Activities
Historic sites
Plan and prepare
Caution: Mine Tunnels and shafts are dangerous and may be hidden by vegetation.
- Keep to marked official tracks
- Do not enter tunnels unless they are clearly marked for public access.
Please consult a topographic map.
What to expect on a route:
- Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
- Track unformed and natural, rough, muddy or very steep
- Suitable for people with above average fitness. High level backcountry skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required
- Complete self sufficiency required
- Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings
- Sturdy tramping/hiking boots required
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