Image: Jaime Apolonio | Creative Commons
Tunnel on the Ruakuri Walk.
Ruakuri Walk

Located in Waitomo area in the Waikato region

Ruakuri Walk is a Waitomo highlight. Discover a forested gorge, natural sculpted cliffs and low limestone arches on this spectacular loop walk.

The track follows Waitomo Stream and passes limestone bluffs and outcrops. It then descends to the underground Ruakuri Natural Bridge viewing platform.

The entrance to the viewing platform is dark, so take care on the steps. The platform extends out over a cavernous tunnel with large stalactites and stalagmites.

You can see glowworms on this track at night. The best place is beside the main bridge.

Stay on the track and supervise children. There are fast-flowing streams, steep drops, deep holes/tomos and caves in this area, including near the track.

Facilities

There is a grass picnic area and toilets by the carpark. There are interpretation signs along the track.

Track surface

There are many stairs and some steep sections on the track, plus the track can be muddy and slippery.

The track is 4 km from Waitomo Village.

Head west from Waitomo Village and turn left at the roundabout into Tumutumu Road. Follow that road for about 2 km and turn right at the signposted access to Ruakuri car park.

Alternatively, walk from the Waitomo Village to Ruakuri on the Waitomo Walkway.
  • Supervise children at all times and stay on the track. The area around the track is steep and there are fast flowing streams.
  • There are big drop offs, tomos/deep holes and cave entrances in the reserve, which are very hazardous.
  • Watch your head in the caverns, ceilings are low in places.
  • There are lots of steps on the track and it is steep in places. It is only suitable for people with good mobility.
  • Take a torch if visiting at night.
  • Mountain biking is not allowed on this track.

The walk is in the Ruakuri Caves and Bush Scenic Reserve which encompasses 114 ha of native bush and limestone formations. 

A number of native birds fly through the scenic reserve, around the car park, and around the track. More commonly seen forest birds include kereru (native wood pigeon), tui, piwakawaka (fantail) and tauhou (waxeye). Karearea (New Zealand falcon) are often seen and heard from the car park.

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.

Ruakuri means ‘Den of Dogs’ and was named by the chief Tanetinorau who was travelling through the area when one of his party was attacked by wild kurī (Polynesians dogs) defending their den. The area is of much spiritual and cultural significance to Māori.