Pureora Forest Park tramping tracks

Track category

Tramping track

Description

Toitoi Track

Time:1 hr 30 min to summit

This track provides alternative access to the summit of Mt Pureora. It leaves from the carpark on Toitoi Rd travelling up the northwest side of Mt Pureora.

Arataki Track

Time: 1 hr 30 min to junction with Mt Titiraupenga Track

This track to Mt Titiraupenga begins off Titiraupenga Rd and passes the YMCA camp. It climbs steadily to join the Mt Titiraupenga Track, 10 minutes below the summit rock. Please do not climb the summit rock.

Bog Inn Track

Time: 40 min to Bog Inn Hut

To reach the track, turn off Link Rd onto Tihoi Rd just north of the Kakaho campsite, then further along Tihoi Rd take Bog Inn Rd to reach the car park. An easy 10-minute climb from the car park leads to the mountain mire known as The Bog. This is a fragile area; please keep to the track.

Mt Titiraupenga Track

Time: 8 hr return to Link Rd car park

Leaving Link Rd car park, this track crosses many small streams before climbing a southern ridge of Mt Titiraupenga and joins the Arataki Track just below the summit rock. The summit of Mt Titiraupenga is Maori land and a taonga (treasure) to local iwi. Please respect these values and the landowners' wishes by not climbing the summit rock.

Waihora Track

Time: 1 hr 30 min to Waihora Junction

From SH32 turn onto the Waihora Rd and travel approximately 3 km before turning left into the Waihora Lagoon carpark. From here the track follows an old road for 30 minutes to Pikopiko Stream and then a steady 1 hour climb will bring you to the junction with the Hauhungaroa Track.

Waihaha Track

Time: 3 hr to hut/campsite

The track follows the Waihaha River through shrubland before entering dense podocarp forest. The Waihaha Hut is in a clearing overlooking the river where the Waihaha Track meets the Hauhungaroa Track.

Ketemaringi Track

Time: 4 hr one way

From the end of Ketemaringi Rd, climb steadily for 1 hour to Ketemaringi Trig. The track then turns south and descends easily down a ridge to emerge onto Totara Stream Rd. It is a further 1-hour walk to the car park at the Totara Stream crossing.

Mangatutu Track

Time: 2 hr to ridge

This hunters access track starts from the northern end of Okahukura Rd in the north block of the park. The track crosses two streams before climbing steeply onto the main ridge leading to Mt Ranginui. The track ends at the top of the ridge.

Hauhungaroa Track (Link Rd to Mangakahu Valley Rd)

Time: approximately 3 days

This 45 km track traverses the Hauhungaroa Range from Link Rd to Mangakahu Valley Rd. Initially you follow the Mt Pureora Track to Mt Pureora before dropping down a southern ridge of the mountain to Bog Inn Hut (3 hours 30 min).

After skirting the Bog climb the ridge to Mt Weraroa (3 hours), turn east and drop steeply to the Waihora Track (1 hour 30 min). The track continues onto the Waihaha Hut (4 hours). Continue upstream from the Waihaha Hut on the true left of the Waihaha River. Just to the south of Te Awaiti Stream the track turns southwest and climbs the ridge onto the crest of the Hauhungaroa Range. Follow the crest south and the track continues to the Hauhungaroa Hut ( 7 hours from Waihaha Hut).

From the Hauhungaroa Hut continue following the crest south past Mt Motere before dropping down to the head of the Mangakahu Valley and the road end (2 hours 30 min).

Getting there

Pureora Forest Park is 81 km southwest of Rotorua along Highway 30 via Benneydale.

Activities

North Island Kaka

Bird and wildlife watching

Each of the tramping tracks offers bird watching opportunities. Kaka, kakariki, kokako, and karearea are to be found in parts of the Pureora Forest Park, as well as kereru, tomtits, north island robins, tui, bellbirds, fantails, and wax-eyes.

Be sure to take a pair of binoculars and a camera with you.

Dog walking

Dogs and owners are welcome to use the network of tramping tracks throughout the park for exercise. You'll need a dog control permit, which is available from the Maniapoto Area Office. Dogs must be under control at all times.

Plan and prepare

• All timings are approximate.
• There is no fuel in Pureora, so ensure you have enough before you visit. A small range of retail products are available at Pa Harakeke (open 7 days during the summer season, and 5 days (Mon - Fri) during winter).
• These tracks vary in difficulty and require experience.
• Carry enough food, water and warm clothing for a safe and enjoyable time.
• Please write your intentions in a book at the Field Centre if planning a longer trip.
• Weather conditions can change quickly so always carry warm clothing and a raincoat.
• Because of the terrain and heavily forested nature of the park trampers are advised to obtain the relevant topographical maps (NZTopo50 series BF34; BF35; BG34; BG35; BH34;BH35; BE34; BE35) available from the Pureora Field Centre or the Maniapoto Area Office.