Pirongia Forest Park tramping tracks

Tramping track

Getting there

The Park is near Hamilton city, and has many access points. Some access ways cross private land. Keep to marked tracks and use stiles at fences. To protect the Te Awamutu water supply, access is not encouraged in the Mangawawa catchment.

Description

Wharauroa Lookout (Mahaukura Track)

Time: 2 - 3 hr one way

Start at the Grey Rd car park and climb steadily through tawa forest to Wharauroa Lookout, one of the best viewpoints on Mt Pirongia. The last 30 m before the viewpoint are quite steep and chains have been bolted to the rock to guide your ascent/descent.

Ruapane Lookout (Tirohanga Track) 

Time: 1 hr one way

A steady climb from Corcoran Rd leads to Ruapane Trig. The excellent view extends across the Waikato Basin to the Kaimai Ranges.

Ruapane Track

Time: 1hr 30 min one way

This alternative track to Ruapane Lookout starts at the Waite Rd carpark.

Tirohanga Peak

Time: 3-4 hr return

From Corcoran Rd car park. Tirohanga Peak is a steep rock pinnacle on the Tirohanga Track 40 minutes past Ruapane Trig.

Kahikatea Tree

Time: 6 hr return

From the Kaniwhaniwha car park follow the Nikau walk, past the Kaniwhaniwha Caves on the Bell Track, tramping alongside the Blue Bull stream to the tallest recorded kahikatea tree in New Zealand at 66.5 m high.

Tracks to summit

Mahaukura Track       

Time: 4-6 hr one way

From Grey Rd car park follow the track to Wharauroa Lookout, then on for another 30 minutes to Mahaukura. The track undulates over small peaks and is uneven underfoot. From Mahaukura the track descends steeply before climbing again towards the Pirongia summit view tower.

Tirohanga Track 

Time: 3-5 hr one way

The track starts from Corcoran Rd, climbs to Ruapane then traverses an undulating ridge on uneven ground, passing Tirohanga Peak, descending and climbing to the Pirongia summit. On a clear day look for Mounts Taranaki and Ruapehu in the distance.

Tirohanga - Mahaukura round trip 

Time: 8-11 hr return

You can create an interesting round trip by crossing from Grey Rd car park to Ruapane via the Mangakara Nature Walk, then following the Tirohanga Track to the summit view tower. Return via Mahaukura Track to Grey Rd.

Bell Track  

Time: 8-10 hr one way

Starting at the Kaniwhaniwha car park follow the Nikau Walk, past the Kaniwhaniwha Caves to the bridge just before the big kahikatea. From the bridge you climb a spur to a series of clearings. The last clearing, signposted as the halfway point, has a small stream nearby and is a good campsite. The track becomes muddy at this point and continues along the ridge to the Cone (second highest point in the Park) and then to Pahautea Hut. It is another 30 minutes to Pirongia’s summit.

Tahuanui Track

Time: 4-5 hr to the summit

From the Kaniwhaniwha car park follow the Nikau Walk to the campsite. The Tahuanui track leaves the campsite beside the stream and climbs steadily up a ridge through stands of tawa to join the Tirohonga track before the summit ridge. The Tahuanui Track can be combined with the Bell Track for a good overnight trip, staying at Pahautea Hut enroute.

Hihikiwi Track

Time: 4 - 5 hr to the summit

This is the newest and one of the shortest tracks to Pahautea Hut. From Pirongia West Rd, steps lead up a steep hill face then the track becomes moderately undulating before rising steeply to Hihikiwi Lookout. From the lookout, the track is boardwalked to the hut. The abundance of ferns, mosses and lichens reflect a wetter environment on the south side of the mountain and the track has many muddy sections.

This track is part of Te Araroa - a walking trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff www.teararoa.org.nz

Plan and prepare

Many of Pirongia’s tracks can be muddy, especially after rain.

Weather conditions can change rapidly, especially at higher altitudes. Always carry a change of clothing, wet weather gear and sufficient food to cater for any emergency.

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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