Kaniwhaniwha: Nikau Walk and Kaniwhaniwha Caves
Located in Pirongia Forest Park in the Waikato region
Introduction
Follow a stream through beautiful native forest or walk through a 20 metre limestone cave - with swimming and picnicking opportunities as well, these tracks are great for children.
Nikau Walk
Walking time: 2 hr 30 min return
Distance: 7 km
The track starts from the Kaniwhaniwha car park. It passes through a recently planted area, then follows along the stream to a loop walk, lush with nikau palms and tree ferns.
There are opportunities for swimming and picnicking along the stream, and a picnic/campsite with toilets is a short distance off the track (this is accessible by wheelchair, but the loop track is not).
This walk can be combined with the Kaniwhaniwha Caves adding 30 minutes to the walking time.
Mountain biking
The track is ideal for family cycling but do follow directional signs around the loop track.
This is a shared-use track. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.
Kaniwhaniwha Caves
Walking time: 2 hr 30 min return
Distance: 7 km
The two limestone caves are near the start of the Bell Track, 5 minutes from the junction with the Nikau Walk. You can walk through the 20 metre long main cave, but note there is a short hands-and-knees crawl. The cave is wet underfoot and torches are required.
The second smaller cave is tight and narrow.
These tracks are accessed from Limeworks Loop Road.
From Hamilton take SH23 to Whatawhata. Turn left onto Te Pahu Road after the bridge over the Waipa River. Limeworks Loop Road is about 10.6 km on the right.
Contacts
| Te Rapa Office | |
| Phone: | +64 7 850 8378 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | waikato@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
5 Northway St Te Rapa Hamilton 3200 |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 20025 Te Rapa Hamilton 3241 |
| Full office details | |