Kaimanawa Forest Park Walks

Tree Trunk Gorge Track    (DAY WALK)

A one hour thirty minute walk in one direction but we would usually return along the same track to our starting point making this a nice walk of 3 hours without stops.

The walk follows an old road associated with the hydro scheme and is reasonably flat however there is a decent towards the end of the walk to a fast flowing stream. We would usually stop here rather than cross this stream but we do have 3 other streams to cross before this. Be prepared to get your footwear wet.

This walk is one of the best short walks in the Kaimanawa Range and meanders through regenerating beech trees with the occasional huge red beech still in existence. There are some stands of the mountain cabbage trees.

Often there can be seen the cheeky North Island Black Robin.

This walk is well worth it to see the beautiful bush and on sunny days the dappled filtered sunlight through the trees. It does not require a great deal of fitness but good footwear is recommended.

 

Dappled light filtering through the regenerating bush on the Tree Trunk Gorge Walk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A  native Blue Duck (Whio) seen on the Tree Trunk Gorge Walk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forest Loop Walking Track   (COMBINATION WALK)

A twenty minute circuit track that we would usually combine on one of our half day walks. A large variety flora can been seen on this walk including red beech, crown ferns, horopito and water ferns.

Pillars of Hercules    (COMBINATION WALK)

A short ten minute track that crosses via a bridge over a steep gorge (the Pillars) that the Tongariro River flows strongly through. Spectacular views of the river from the bridge

Another walk we would usually combine on a half day walk.

Kiko Road Walking Track (HALF DAY)

A  one hour easy walk with gentle up and downhills. Many rimu, matai and miro stands of red and silver beech.

Mount Urchin Summit    (DAY WALK)

A four hour return walk. This track requires a good level of fitness, good footwear, warm waterproof clothing (summer and winter) and a good supply of water.

You climb continually until you reach the Urchin trig station but the effort is well worth it. There are spectacular views in all directions.

We climb through red beech then mountain beech and finally we reach the bush line and emerge into alpine tussock country. Alpine plants can be very pleasing to the eye in summer.

We take our time and there are many rest stops with a break for a cup of tea.

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