Last Updated: 2nd Sep 2024
Best of the Haks Northern End
Hakarimata Walkway, Kauri Loop Track
Submitted by Angela Buchanan
Last Updated: 2nd Sep 2024
Grunt Factor: 10 ?
Gnarl Factor: 36 ?
4.0km
360m
360m
Last Updated: 2nd Sep 2024
Submitted by Angela Buchanan
Last Updated: 2nd Sep 2024
Grunt Factor: 10 ?
Gnarl Factor: 36 ?
4.0km
360m
360m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Native bush
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +17.7%
Average Downhill Gradient: -17.7%
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1:30
Slow
1:00
Moderate
0:40
Fast
From the start, follow the trail up to where it forks and go straight/left onto the Kauri Loop Track (i.e. don't turn right, you'll come back that way later).
Continue up stairs and easy trail for approx 1Km, keeping left until you reach the first lookout.
Just back from the lookout before you start down the stairs, turn at the sign and continue along the Hakarimata Walkway for 700m of gnarly single track to the Southern Lookout.
Then it's back the way you came, past the first lookout, to the Kauri Loop Track, turn left here to continue around the loop.
From here the trail is easy again, you'll pass a seat and viewpoint of the forest, and then a very large & old Kauri tree, before heading back down to the carpark.
Great views from the lookouts, one of the largest kauri trees in the Waikato. Lots of possums for spotting at night!
Long drop toilet at the start.
There is a carpark for the track at the end of Parker Road, between Ngaruawahia and Huntly. No public transport available, you could bus to Huntly and run down Riverview Road (+6Km sealed road) or Ngaruawahia and run up Hakarimata Road (+11Km sealed road!)
11 km
11 minutes
No
No
Moderate.
Patchy.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone
No drinking water available, BYO.
The track to the southern lookout (i.e. the gnarly section) will be muddy in winter and after a lot of rain.
Hopin Stopin Cafe
60 Great South Road, Taupiri
https://www.facebook.com/HopinStopin/
Nearest decent cafe in a nice spot on the river.
BP Ngaruawahia
Great South Road, Ngarauwahia
https://map.bp.com/en-NZ/NZ/gas-station/ngarauwahia/bp-connect-ngaruawahia/0DJ35
Pies & coffee, loos and fuel.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Trail as described. Very easy to follow. The section between the northern and southern lookouts was pretty muddy, definitely recommend trail shoes for that bit though road shoes would be fine if you're just running the loop. A good climb rewarded with a nice downhill.
September 23
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