Use the 'Route Codes' below and refer to the
Route Descriptions guide for more information.
Pirongia
Route Code: A (ii)
Choose between the Heritage Walk, at the village, or the Mangakara
Nature Walk, from Park HQ, up Hodgson/Grey Rds, 3km north on SH39
Mangapohue Natural Bridge
Route Code: A (iii)
1-hour limestone-country gorge, stream and fossils walk, with
the Mangapohue Natural Bridge, the highlight.
Te Waihou Walkway
Route Code: B
Brilliant 90-min (one way) walkway. Arrange two cars, and start at the top,
up Leslie Rd, off White's Rd, which links SH1 and SH5, 2km north of
Putaruru. 65% of NZ's bottled water comes from these 'Blue Springs',
which source the Waihou River. The clarity and colour will amaze you.
Rimu Walk, Pureora Forest
Route Code: B
(Also, Totara Walk, Pureora Forest) -
Access from Kakaho Road, 5 kms north of Tihoi. This becomes Link
Road, not shown on most maps, which gives a through road, from Tihoi
to Pureora, on SH30. One hour Rimu Walk, 5kms in, and thirty minute
Totara Walk, close to the Pureora Forest HQ, are outstanding. Drive
from Rimu Walk to Totara Walk is about 12 kms. Pureora Forest has beautiful
bush, even though spoilt in places by old clear felling and pine plantations.
Waihaha River Walk, Tihoi
Route Code: B
Waihaha River, 5 kms south of Tihoi, has a riverside reserve, and outstanding
walkway track, up the beautiful river, (three hours to DoC Waihaha hut).
Pukawa Bay to Kuratau, Lake Taupo shore-side
Route Code: B
Taupo Lake-front walkway, which links Kuratau, Omori and Pukawa
Lake Rotopounamu
Route Code: B and B (i)
A beautiful lake, off SH47, 5km south of the SH32 turn-off. 20 minutes
to the Lake then 100 minutes to walk round it, if you have the time.
Te Porere Redoubt
Route Code: B and B (i)
Site of Te Kooti's last confrontation. 16kms south-west, along SH47,
from junction with SH 32.
Tongariro River, National Trout Centre to Turangi
Route Code: B and B (i)
Walking tracks (fishing access, also) are on both sides of the
Tongariro River, from below the SH1 Bridge, to the Tongariro
National Trout Centre, (which, also, should be visited), 5kms south.
Huka Falls
Route Code: B (i)
Across the bridge, and walk north, to Aratiatia, if you want to do so.
Arapuni
Route Code: B (iv)
(Waikato River Trail) -
Hydro dam. River walks, including Waikato River Trail, and across Waikato River on swing bridge. Go to www.waikatorivertrails.com
Mt Maungatautari
Route Code: B (iv)
(southern entrance) -
Possibly NZ's most successful ecological project. 3400 ha reserve, predator-proofed with $18 million fence.
Great forest walks. Best entry, (southern) and information centre, from Pukeatua School. Northern entry from
Maungatautari/Hicks Roads. Go to
www.maungatrust.org
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
Route Code: B (vi)
25kms south, towards Taupo, Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, is a great walk, with spectacular thermal and scenic sights.
And finish, (or start), with a visit to its good cafe (and good toilets, too!).
