Flood damage closes Hakarimata Summit Track

Archived content: This media release was accurate on the date of publication. 

This very popular track at Ngaruawahia might be closed for several weeks following damage to the track after heavy rainfall.

Date:  07 April 2017

The very popular Hakarimata Summit track at Ngaruawahia might be closed for several weeks following damage to the track after the heavy rainfall on Wednesday, according to DOC Operations Manager for Waikato, Ray Scrimgeour.

Although the damage is not overly significant, the subsidence means that the track is unsafe, says Mr Scrimgeour.

“The heavy rainfall caused the river to undermine the track. An engineer will be required to make an informed assessment as to the scale of damage and the works required to repair or re-route the track to allow it to re-open at a later stage.

“I suspect we are looking at several weeks before the work can be completed and the track safely re-opened.”

For the hundreds of fans of the Hakarimata Summit Track, who regularly run up and down its 1349 steps as part of their fitness routine, DOC recommends trying the nearby and lovely Kauri Loop Track, off Parker Road, as an alternative.

Contact

Mark Menzies, Ranger, Services, Waikato
Email: mmenzies@doc.govt.nz 
Mobile: +64 27 206 5849