Waitomo Walkway
Alert/Important notice
Slips on track
Slips have occurred along the banks of the Waitomo Stream between Te Anga Road and the Ruakuri Scenic Reserve. Special care is needed when crossing these areas.
Track category
Walking track
Time:
1 hr 15 min one way
Distance:
3.3 km
Description
View from Waitomo Walkway
The walkway is an easy grade except for some short steep parts. It starts in the Waitomo Village (opposite the Discovery Centre) and passes up through bush and across farmland with some great views back to the Waitomo Village.
It then crosses the Te Anga Road beyond the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. From here it follows the Waitomo Stream through a mix of shady forest and open farmland to the Ruakuri Scenic Reserve where there is a large picnic area, BBQs and the spectacular 45 min Ruakuri Bushwalk.
There are a number of sections along the walkway where you cross onto private land. Follow marker posts and use stiles where provided. Be aware of electric fences. The Waitomo Walkway can be prone to flooding in times of heavy rain. Along the banks of the Waitomo Stream you will see a major replanting project undertaken by the community, DOC and Environment Waikato to improve water quality and reduce the effect of erosion.
View larger map to print (JPG, 89K)
Waitomo Walkway corresponds to #2 on the map and finishes at the Ruakuri Scenic Reserve. #3 - the Waitomo Caves car park walk is a 5 min walk that starts as part of the Waitomo Walkway.
Getting there
Starts at Waitomo Village, 16 km northwest (by road) of Te Kuiti.
Activities
Specialist activities
Specialist activities: Limestone and karst appreciation
The Waitomo Walkway has a variety of limestone features to view. Dolines (enclosed depressions), karren (fluted outcrops), arches tunnels and caves are collectively known as karst. This special landscape is a feature of Waitomo, with the Waitomo Caves world famous for their beauty and abundance of glow worms (Arachnocampa luminosa).
About the area
The Waitomo Walkway traverses classic limestone landscape, meandering beside the Waitomo Stream through a mixture of shady forest and open farmland.
Plan and prepare
There is a small general store in Waitomo where supplies may be bought.
Fill up your vehicle with fuel at Otorohanga, Piopio or Te Kuiti as there are no service stations from Waitomo west.
Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.