Pirongia Forest Park tramping tracks

Track category

Tramping track

Description

Wharauroa and Mahaukura Lookout (via Mahaukura Track)

Time: 2 - 3 hr one way

The Mahaukura Track starts at the Grey Rd car park and climbs steadily through tawa forest to Wharauroa Lookout. The last 30 m before the viewpoint are quite steep and chains have been bolted to the rock to guide your ascent/descent. The lookout offers one of the best views from Pirongia of Hamilton, Te Awamutu and the surrounding landscape. Another 30min along the track is the Mahaukura Lookout with further views south toward the King Country.

Wharauroa and Mahaukura Lookouts (via Wharauroa Track

Time: 2 hr one way

The Wharauroa Track provides an alternative access these lookouts. This accessway crosses private farmland from O'Shea Road car park so please keep to marked track and use stiles at fences. The bush edge is reached after 30 min and then there is a steep climb up a tawa covered spur to the lookouts.

Ruapane Lookout (via Tirohanga Track)

Time: 1 hr one way

A steady climb from Corcoran Rd along the Tirohanga Track leads to the Ruapane Trig. The track commences from the car park following a formed trac up steps. Nearer the top, the formed track ends and a tramping track leads up over the rock to the trig view point. The excellent view extends across the Waikato Basin to the Kaimai Ranges.

Ruapane Lookout.Ruapane Lookout (via Ruapane Track) Time: 1hr 30 min one way

Ruapane Track starts at the Waite Rd car park and follows up a slippery gully before reaching the bush edge. From here, the track follows a ridge that becomes steeper as it reaches the junction of the Tirohonga Track. From the track junction, the track climbs steadily up to a rock outcrop and to the trig.

Kahikatea Tree

Time: 6 hr return

From the Kaniwhaniwha car park follow the Nikau Walk, past the Kaniwhaniwha Caves on the Bell Track. The track becomes undulating, with some uneven ground and muddy sections along the Blue Bull stream up to the swingbridge. Do not cross the swingbridge but continue upstream for 10min beyond the bridge to the kahikatea tree with its distinctive buttressed trunk. At 66.5m it is the tallest recorded kahikatea tree in New Zealand. (The Bell Track continues to the summit across the swingbridge).

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.

This track can also be accessed off O'Shea Road via the Wharauroa Track.

Tirohanga Track

Time: 3 - 5 hr one way

This track starts from Corcoran Rd climbs to Ruapane the traverses an undulating ridge on uneven ground before passing Tirohanga Bluff , a pinnacle of hard lava signifying its volcanic origins. The track then descends and climbs again to the Pirongia summit. On a clear day look for the mountains, Taranaki and Ruapehu in the distance.

Tirohanga - Mahaukura round trip

Time: 8 - 11 hr return

This is a popular round trip for people overnighting at Pahautea hut. Cross from Grey road car park to Ruapane via the Mangakara Nature Walk and Link Track, then follow the Tirohanga Track to the summit viewing tower. Return via Mahaukura Track to Grey Rd. This is the easier circuit rather than doing it the other way round via the Mahaukura the Tirohanga.

Bell Track

Time: 6- 10 hr one way

Starting at the Kaniwhaniwha car park follow the Nikau Walk, on to the Bell Track and past the Kaniwhaniwha Caves. Cross the bridge near the big kahikatea and 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 quite muddy at this point and continues along the ridge to the Cone (second highest point on the mountain) and then to Pahautea Hut. It is another 30 minutes to the summit of Pirongia.

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. The Tahuanui Track can be combined with the Bell Track for a good overnight trip, staying at Pahautea Hut enroute.

Hihikiwi Track

Time: 4 - 6 hr to the summit

This is the newest and one of the shortest tracks to Pahautea Hut. Starting at Pirongia West Rd off Pekanui Road, 10km from Ngutunui School (1 hr from Hamilton) the first section of th track climbs steeply via a series of steps before settling into a steady climb to Hihikiwi lookout. There are views west along the way but the best vantage point over the west coast harbours is at the lookout. From here, there is an elevated boardwalk and steps all the way to the hut (800 m). It is another 30 min from the hut to the summit. 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.

The Hihikiwi and Tahunanui Tracks are part of Te Araroa - a walking trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff www.teararoa.org.nz

Getting there

Pirongia Forest 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.

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.

Please note: Dogs are prohibited from all Waikato area tracks except for certified guide dogs and permitted hunting dogs.