Piano Flat & Wakiaia Forest tramping tracks
Tramping track
Getting there
Waikaia is situated 54 km north of Gore beside the Waikaia River.
About the area
Waikaia Forest is a large island of beech forest that is the home of four unique invertebrates. Piano Flat is a grassy enclosure providing a picnic area, “back to nature” camping ground and several walking tracks.
Description
Ngahere Ara track
Time: 30 min return
This is an easy walk leading to mine shafts and an operational water race built in the gold mining days.
Piano Flat Creek Loop track
Time: 1 hr return
This track passes through beech forest and signs of early sawmilling days.
Waikaia River track
Time: 4 hr return
Swingbridge over the river track
This track follows up the true right of the river, crosses a swing bridge and returns along the opposite bank and along the road.
Titan Rocks track
Time: 7 hr return
A marked route, this rewarding tramp offers excellent views from above the bush line.
Plan and prepare
What to expect on a tramping track:
- Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
- Track is mostly unformed with steep, rough or muddy sections
- Suitable for people with good fitness. Moderate to high level backcountry skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required
- Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings
- Tramping/hiking boots required
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