Hapuakohe Walkway

Tramping track

Time:  

2 days

Getting there

The Hapuakohe Range lies approximately 50 km north-east of Hamilton and 65 km south-east of Auckland.

Description

View from Hapuakohe track

The entire Walkway can be completed in two days (6 hours and 8 hours), split by the Kaihere-Ohinewai road. It can be undertaken from either end. It is suitable for experienced trampers only. Along the way there are magnificent views overlooking the Hauraki Plains and Gulf, large areas of the Waikato, and hill country south of Auckland city.

Hapuakohe Walkway (Northern end of walkway)

Time: 8 hr to Ohinewai Rd

Located at the end of North Rd off State Highway 27, 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.

There are two lookout points along the walkway:

• 1st lookout (1 hour 30 minutes): 300 m above sea level the track leaves the bush onto a grassy clearing
• 2nd lookout (3 hours): 400 m above sea level, with views which extend to the Huntly power station, Mt Te Aroha and the Hauraki Plains. The bush is comprised mostly of kohekohe and large puriri.

Hapuakohe Walkway (Southern end of walkway)

Time: Mangapiko Valley Rd to Ohinewai Rd - 6 hr one way

Beginning at the end of Mangapiko Valley Rd, the track follows a farm track beside the Mangapiko Valley Stream, crossing a small stream twice before reaching the Mangapiko Valley Scenic Reserve.

Just before reaching the bush there is a good outlook over the hilly farmland surrounding the valley, and a good bush walk to follow. The bush canopy is predominatly tawa, kohekohe, pigeon wood and pukatea. After 15 minutes, the track emerges at a fenceline alongside farmland with great views across to the Kaimai Ranges. Follow up along this fenceline for 5 minutes and the marked track re-enters the bush. To reach Pukeitionga Station it is a steep 10 minute climb along a fenceline on privately-owned land. Extensive views are seen from the Station (488 m).

Ohinewai-Kaihere Rd to Maungakawa Trig / Maungakawa Trig to Pukeitionga Station / Pukeitionga Station to Mangapiko Valley Rd

Time: 6 hr one way

A good walk which gives exceptional views of the Waikato and Hauraki areas. Beginning on the south side of Ohinewai-Kaihere Rd the track starts with a steep descent to a small stream. Across the stream, the steep climb to the trig begins, ascending through regenerating bush of akeake, rewarewa, heketara, rimu, totara and manuka. There is an exceptional view from the trig, then the track sidles along a ridge to Pukeitionga Station, then descends to the Mangapiko Valley Scenic Reserve. You will have to arrange transport at the road end.

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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