Voted as one of the 101 Must Do's for Kiwis!

Many Kiwi’s will have driven through the breathtaking Karangahake Gorge but few will have ventured into the walkways, old tunnels and discovered the rich history hidden in the gorge.

The Karangahake Gorge historic walkway follows the old Paeroa to Waihi railway line with the remainder of the track following the banks of the Ohinemuri River. Old mine buildings and machinery can be seen from a number of locations on the walkway.

A major highlight of the recently opened Hauraki Rail Trail includes riding through the stunning Karangahake Gorge, one of the “14 wonders of New Zealand”. The trail follows the path of two historic railway lines, running from Thames to Paeroa and Waikino to Te Aroha, while a new path will link Waikino to Waihi.

Cyclists can do the Hauraki Rail Trail from the car park, with connections to Waikino, Paeroa and Te Aroha nearby. Please share with care. Cyclists are
kindly asked to dismount in certain areas (check for signage).

Dogs are allowed on the Historic Walkway and the Crown Track to Dickey Flat. Dogs must be kept on leads to ensure a good experience for all visitors.

A number of short walks including the Windows Walk and Rail Tunnel Loop as well as the longer walks of Karangahake Mountain and the Karangahake Historic Walkway can all be experienced in the gorge. For details on each the walks, refer to their separate listings.

PDF: The Karangahake Gorge (maps and trails info)