Located in Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park in the Bay of Plenty region
At 952 m, Mount Te Aroha is the highest point on the Kaimai-Mamaku range. A number of tracks are based around and start from the Te Aroha Domain.
Category: Short walk
Time: 20 min one way each
Dogs: Permitted on a lead
Beginning at the Mokena Geyser, you choose either the Upper Walk, or Lower Walk (which is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs). Look out for the beautiful ground-covering parataniwha with red and green leaves along the way. Bothwalks can be combined to create a loop track.
Category: Walking track
Time: 1 hr 30 min one way
Dogs: Permitted on a lead
Starting at the Mokena Geyser this track takes you through regenerating bush and shallow mountain streams. There is a 5-min detour to the Tutumangao Falls and lookout over the town before reaching the junction with the Tui Link track and finally emerging on to Tui Road, near the tailings dam.
Category: Walking track
Time: 45 min one way
Dogs: Permitted on a lead
Starting at the Mokena Geyser, the track zigzags its way through mature pines and pūriri that were planted in the early 1900s. The Whakapipi lookout provides a stunning view of Te Aroha township, the wetlands, river and beyond. Mt Aroha Mountain Track (see below) continues on through a saddle and then steeply up for another 2 hr to the summit of Mount Te Aroha.
Category: Walking track
Time: 1 hr loop
Dogs: Permitted on a lead
On the left bank of the Waihou River, a well-formed walk creates a circuit around an established wildlife refuge and wetland area managed by Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game Council. An ideal early morning or evening walk. The bird hide at the end of the boardwalk is the perfect place to spot pied stilt,grey teal and heron. Access is from Spur St, via a footbridgeat the end of Lawrence Ave, or via a boardwalk at Kenwyn Reserve on Kenrick St.
Category: Tramping track
Time: 3 hr one way
Distance: 3.9 km
No dogs
This track ascends almost 1 km. Follow the track from the Mokena Geyser in the Te Aroha Domain up the well benched track for 45 minutes to the Whakapipi Lookout which offers views over the Hauraki Plains. The Kaimai-Mamaku Conservation Park begins just above the lookout. The track continues through a small saddle and then steeply up for another two hours to reach the summit. The track becomes steep and the surface is rough.
Mount Te Aroha provides 360 degree views across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Ruapehu, Ngāuruhoe and Taranaki are visible on a clear day. Be prepared for alpine weather conditions at the summit. Return to Te Aroha via the same track (most direct route).
Time: 3 hr 30 min one way from summit
Distance: 8.4 km
No dogs
This track begins at the Mount Te Aroha Summit and leads back to Te Aroha. Descend from the summit via the stairways and steps on the north east side. Dog Kennel Flat is reached after 20 minutes at an intersection with Mountain Road. The route then continues north to the Tui saddle before descending steeply to the west down a rocky section and then follows the road for about 15 minutes before taking a marked bush track on the left. Just below here is the Tui Mine and tailings.
The track passes an old concrete explosives magazine, crosses the Mountain Road and meanders down through lowland forest of püriri and kohekohe leaving the park at the junction with the Tui Domain Track. Follow the Tui Domain Track through regenerating native forest and shallow mountain streams for 1 hour 30 minutes to reach the Mokena Geyser in the Te Aroha Domain. Side tracks offer alternate exits to Hamilton Street or a detour to the No22 spring. Look out for cyclists as you cross the marked mountain bike track.
Time: 50 min one way
Distance: 1.5 km
No dogs
This track begins at the Mount Te Aroha summit and leads to the Waiorongomai saddle. A number of longer overnight tramps can be accessed from here. Descend from the summit via the stairways and steps on the north east side. Dog Kennel Flat is reached after 20 minutes, at an intersection with Mountain Road.
This route then follows the Plutus Claim Track eastward, just below Dog Kennel Flat. After 30 minutes the track meets a junction with the Mangakino Pack Track at the Waiorongomai Saddle and the Crimson Thread Track which heads east. Return the same way or follow an alternative route:
Walkers can take a more challenging loop walk back to Te Aroha via the Tui Saddle. Follow the Mangakino Pack Track north for one hour to reach a junction with the Tui Saddle Track, then head west up to the Tui Saddle. From here follow the Tui Link Track back into town.
Follow the Crimson Thread Track east and join the Waipapa Track which leads to Waitawheta Hut (3 hours to hut from Waiorongomai Saddle). From Waiorongomai Saddle to Waiorongomai Head south to reach the Waiorongomai Valley (2 hours to road end).
Head south to reach the Waiorongomai Valley (2 hours to road end).
Mine Tunnels and shafts are dangerous and may be hidden by vegetation.
The upper Mangakino Pack Track south to Te Aroha Mountain and the Mangakino Stream Track to the Old County Road on Karangahake Mountain have both sustained storm damage in January 2018. The track is resettling naturally and continuing to be used safely by trampers, although there are some challenging sections. Take extra care when navigating these tracks.
| Tauranga Office | |
| Phone: | +64 7 578 7677 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | taurangainfo@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
253 Chadwick Road West Greerton West Tauranga 3112 |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 9003 Greerton West Tauranga 3142 |
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