Otaika Valley Walk
Track category
Walking track
Time:
2 hr one way
Distance:
6 km one way
Description
The Otaika Valley leads through native
forest
The Otaika Valley walkway offers you a variety of landscapes, from a city street through farmland and into both dense and regenerating native forest.
After leaving Whangarei suburb Raumanga follow the orange markers. The walkway traverses open countryside with views of Whangarei Harbour, and leads you along a farm fence line before entering the Otaika Valley Scenic Reserve, rich in native trees.
The track slides gently through the bush dropping into a couple of streams with small bridges. There is a bench seat in an open clearing giving a great view out across the harbour to the Heads and offshore islands.
The track then goes back into the bush with two more streams and bridges. The vegetation in this area is mainly regenerating Kauri, Tanekaha and Totara. Once on the ridge, you find another seat with a rural view (264 metres above sea level) of Otaika Valley. The track then drops down quite steeply into the Otaika Stream. The track ends at the car park and sign posted entrance on the Otaika Valley Road.
There is a lookout point with views to Maungatapere and north-west Northland. This can be reached from Otaika Valley Road, just over 1 hour return.
View a track location map
10,000 Steps Northland
This track equates to approximately 7,998 steps.
Getting there
The track is located near Otaika, Whangarei, and can be accesses from the end of Raumanga Heights Drive (off Murdoch Crescent) or from Otaika Valley Road - 3 km off SH 1, south of Whangarei.
Please note the track is easier from the Raumanga Heights end.
Activities
Historic sites
About the area
The historical Maori values of the area are worthy of mention. There are a large number of known pit and terrace sites and a ridge pa within the reserve.
Plan and prepare
The track can be slippery when wet.
A good alternative is to walk from Otaika Valley to the northern boundary of the scenic reserve and then return to the car park. The distance by road from the start of the track to the end is 4.8 km. You can walk back via the road or use two cars.
Track location map
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