North Island · region

Dog-friendly tracks in Waikato

Waikato has 184 dog-friendly tracks mapped and 83 with water on the route, around Hamilton, Taupō and Thames. The top-rated is Orakei Korako Geyser Field near Atiamuri.

184 tracks21 where they can run83 with water on the route13 DOC campsites

Easy 113Moderate 47Hard 24

Explore Waikato on the map

The complete list

All 184 tracks in Waikato

Sorted by rating. Every entry opens its full trail sheet with the elevation profile, dog verdict and nearest places to stay. To filter and explore interactively, use the map above.

Orakei Korako Geyser Field

EasyAtiamuri

1.9 km↑47 m0.5–1 hr★4.8 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Opito Pa Walk

ModerateWhitianga

2.4 km↑68 m0.5–1 hr★4.8 rating

Swim spot

Mount Paku Summit Walk

ModerateTairua

1.1 km↑81 m0.5–1 hr★4.7 rating

Good with kids

Jim Higgins Memorial Walkway

EasyTokoroa

2.6 km↑3 m0.5–1 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

Long Bay Kauri Walk

EasyCoromandel

2.3 km↑77 m0.5–1 hr★4.7 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Waiomu Kauri Grove Walk

ModerateThames

5.6 km↑121 m1.5–2 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Mount Urchin Track

HardTūrangi

7.1 km↑567 m3–3.5 hr★4.7 rating

Shade

Karangahake Old Railway Tunnel Loop

EasyPaeroa

3.4 km↑234 m1.5–2 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Hamilton Lake Domain Walkway

EasyHamilton

3.9 km↑4 m1–1.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfootGood with kidsPram friendly

Huka Falls via Redwoods Trail

EasyTaupō

5.1 km↑101 m1–1.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Kainui Lake Loop

EasyTaupiri

3.2 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Shakespeare Cliff Loop Track

ModerateWhitianga

2.7 km↑72 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShade

Aratiatia Walkway

ModerateTaupō

23 km↑217 m5.5–6 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Kawakawa Bay from Kinloch

HardTaupō

17 km↑336 m5–5.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShade

Aratiatia Rapids Lookout Walk

ModerateTaupō

1.6 km↑32 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Hauraki Rail Trail (Paeroa to Waihi)

ModeratePaeroa

22 km↑250 m6–7 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfootGood with kids

Crown Track to Dickey's Flat

HardPaeroa

9.2 km↑287 m4–4.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShade

Taitua Arboretum Walk

EasyHamilton

2.3 km↑36 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Cookson Kauri Walk

ModerateWhitianga

4.5 km↑214 m1.5–2 hr★4.6 rating

Shade

Pauanui Trail

ModerateHikuai

9.0 km↑67 m3–3.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotGood with kidsPram friendly

Lake Ngaroto Walkway

EasyTe Awamutu

6.0 km↑7 m1.5–2 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kidsPram friendly

Matarangi Bluff Loop via Rings Beach

ModerateWhitianga

6.3 km↑331 m2.5–3 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Taupo to Five Mile Bay

ModerateTaupō

8.7 km↑10 m2–2.5 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotSealed underfoot

Waihi to Waikino Track

ModerateWaihi

9.2 km↑20 m2.5–3 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfoot

Pa Lookout Walk

EasyCoromandel

1.6 km↑80 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Waitahanui River Walk

EasyTaupō

3.9 km↑16 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShade

Wainui Reserve Bush Park

EasyRaglan

2.9 km↑89 m0.5–1 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfootGood with kids

Te Manatu Park Loop

EasyHamilton

1.0 km↑0 mabout 14 min★4.8 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kids

Outlook 76 Lookout from Whangaiterenga Campsite

ModerateWhitianga

1.8 km↑80 m0.5–1 hr★4.8 rating

Shade

Opepe Southern Walking Track

EasyTaupō

2.9 km↑53 m0.5–1 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Huka Falls Loop

EasyTaupō

0.8 km↑26 mabout 13 min★4.4 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Tongariro River Trail to Suspension Bridge

EasyTūrangi

4.3 km↑46 m1–1.5 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Karangahake Gorge Loop

HardPaeroa

15 km↑281 m5.5–6 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfoot

Tokoroa to Colsons Hill Lookout

EasyTokoroa

3.9 km↑63 m0.5–1 hr★4.9 rating

Swim spotSealed underfoot

Maukutea Beach Walk

ModerateKawhia

4.5 km↑15 m1–1.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spot

Te Awa Track: Hooker Rd to Velodrome

ModerateCambridge

7.6 km↑109 m2–2.5 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotSealed underfoot

Whakaipo-Kinloch Track

HardTaupō

23 km↑453 m6.5–7 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShade

Huka Falls from Loop Road

EasyTaupō

1.8 km↑36 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShade

Lake Te Koo Utu Walk

EasyCambridge

1.4 km↑17 mabout 21 min★4.4 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Whakapipi Lookout Track

ModerateTe Aroha

3.2 km↑274 m1.5–2 hr★4.4 rating

Shade

Waipahihi Botanical Reserve Loop

EasyTaupō

1.9 km↑30 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

ShadeSealed underfoot

Karangahake Mountain and Crown Tramway Track

HardPaeroa

17 km↑683 m6.5–7 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShade

A J Seeley Gully Reserve Walk

EasyHamilton

0.8 km↑9 mabout 15 min★4.7 rating

Shade

Lake Hakanoa Walkway

EasyHuntly

3.9 km↑11 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfootGood with kidsPram friendly

Kauri Block Walk

EasyCoromandel

3.1 km↑115 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Te Awa Track: Tamahere Village to Hooker Rd

ModerateHamilton

16 km↑32 m4.5–5 hr★4.4 rating

Sealed underfoot

Mount Paku Loop

ModerateTairua

4.0 km↑169 m★4.4 rating

Swim spotSealed underfoot

Pokeno Park Loop

EasyPokeno

2.6 km↑13 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

Yarndleys Bush Walk

EasyOhaupo

1.3 km↑46 mabout 21 min★4.5 rating

Shade

Port Waikato Dunes Walk

EasyTuakau

5.8 km↑19 m1–1.5 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spot

Opepe Northern Walking Track

EasyTaupō

1.6 km↑11 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Piako River Walk

ModerateMorrinsville

6.4 km↑41 m2–2.5 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShade

Matarangi Bluff Track

ModerateWhitianga

1.8 km↑107 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Water Race Tunnel Loop in Broken Hills

EasyWhitianga

2.3 km↑45 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShade

Allan Turner Memorial Walkway Suspension Bridge

EasyHamilton

0.5 km↑7 mabout 8 min★4.5 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfootGood with kidsPram friendly

Tongariro River Trail

ModerateTūrangi

14 km↑122 m3.5–4 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Howie Park Walk

EasyMorrinsville

0.6 km↑15 mabout 10 min★5.0 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Korikori Park Loop

EasyHamilton

1.6 km↑0 mabout 21 min★4.5 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

Lonely Bay Beach Track

EasyWhitianga

0.3 km↑17 mabout 6 min★4.4 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Lake Puketirini Walk

EasyHuntly

3.5 km↑3 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Crosbies Hut to Waiomu Valley Road

ModerateWhitianga

9.2 km↑158 m3–3.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spot

Te Whenua Taapui Ahurea O Tamahere Walk

EasyHamilton

0.6 km↑0 mabout 9 min

Sealed underfootGood with kids

Jubilee Park Walk

EasyHamilton

2.1 km↑25 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

ShadeSealed underfootGood with kidsPram friendly

Tamahere Park Loop

EasyHamilton

1.3 km↑0 mabout 21 min★4.6 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kids

Kotuku Reserve Track

EasyWhangamata

2.3 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★4.5 rating

Golden Hills Battery Track

ModerateWhitianga

2.1 km↑32 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShade

Pukawa Bush Walk Loop

ModerateTūrangi

1.6 km↑68 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Morrinsville River Walk

EasyMorrinsville

2.3 km↑30 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

University of Waikato Grounds Loop

EasyHamilton

1.8 km↑8 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kidsPram friendly

Te Puru Track to Crosbies Hut

HardThames

19 km↑940 m7.5–8 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotShade

Pioneer Walk

EasyTe Awamutu

3.2 km↑20 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kidsPram friendly

Tirau Domain Walk

EasyTirau

1.9 km↑17 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfootGood with kids

Oruatua Walk

EasyTūrangi

2.1 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Tauhara Park Loop

EasyHamilton

1.3 km↑7 mabout 18 min★4.4 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kids

The Great New Zealand River Ride: Ngaruawhia- Karapiro

HardNgaruawahia

65 km↑210 m16.5–18 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotSealed underfoot

Hinemaiaia River Mouth Loop

ModerateTūrangi

2.1 km↑11 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShade

Old Battery Track

ModerateWhitianga

1.0 km↑25 mabout 21 min★4.3 rating

Swim spotShade

Thames War Memorial Monument Walk

ModerateThames

0.5 km↑35 mabout 10 min

Kaori Block Loop Walk

ModerateCoromandel

3.4 km↑86 m0.5–1 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spotShade

Mangaiti Gully Loop Walk from St James Drive

EasyHamilton

3.9 km↑10 m1–1.5 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfootGood with kids

Pukawa Walk to Omori Boatramp

EasyTūrangi

4.0 km↑76 m1–1.5 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Waiomu Valley Road to Crosbies Hut

HardThames

9.5 km↑758 m3.5–4 hr★4.2 rating

Shade

Waipehi Walk

ModerateTūrangi

2.9 km↑88 m0.5–1 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Harker Track

EasyTuakau

2.4 km↑65 m0.5–1 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spotShade

Poets Track

EasyCambridge

1.0 km↑29 mabout 14 min★4.2 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Te Aroha Domain Lower and Upper Loop Walk

ModerateTe Aroha

1.1 km↑46 m0.5–1 hr★4.2 rating

Shade

Kawhia Walk

EasyKawhia

1.3 km↑22 mabout 14 min★4.2 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

Peacockes Reserve Esplanade Track

EasyHamilton

1.1 km↑20 mabout 18 min★4.2 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfootGood with kids

Taumatawahine Walk

EasyCoromandel

1.3 km↑61 mabout 22 min

ShadeGood with kids

Tauranga-Taupō River Walk

EasyTūrangi

1.3 km↑7 mabout 15 min★4.1 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Tuakau Scenic Reserve Track

EasyTuakau

1.6 km↑20 m0.5–1 hr★4.1 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Sandford Park and Peacockes Reserve Loop

EasyHamilton

2.4 km↑29 m0.5–1 hr★4.1 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Discovery Park Loop

EasyHamilton

0.8 km↑0 mabout 14 min★3.8 rating

Good with kids

Crosbies Hut via Karaka Track

HardThames

14 km↑781 m4.5–5 hr★4.1 rating

Swim spotShade

Ngatea Loop Walk

EasyNgatea

4.8 km↑0 m1–1.5 hr★4.0 rating

Swim spotSealed underfoot

Mangaiti Gully Walk

EasyHamilton

3.4 km↑20 m0.5–1 hr★4.1 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfootGood with kids

Resthills Park Loop Walk

EasyHamilton

1.1 km↑8 mabout 20 min★3.8 rating

Good with kids

Riverside Walk to Memorial Park

EasyHamilton

1.3 km↑21 m0.5–1 hr★4.1 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfootGood with kids

Gem of the Boom Walk

ModerateWhitianga

0.8 km↑23 mabout 17 min★3.6 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Crosbies Hut via Waiotahi Track

HardThames

14 km↑805 m4.5–5 hr★4.1 rating

Shade

Lockerbie Park Walkway

EasyMorrinsville

1.3 km↑6 mabout 22 min

Sealed underfootGood with kidsPram friendly

Huka Falls to Aratiatia Rapids

ModerateTaupō

15 km↑162 m4–4.5 hr★4.1 rating

Swim spotShade

Paeroa to Komata North Track

EasyPaeroa

6.9 km↑9 m1–1.5 hr★3.3 rating

Swim spot

Ashurst Park Loop

EasyHamilton

1.0 km↑3 mabout 13 min★3.5 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kids

Porrit Park Loop

EasyHamilton

1.8 km↑10 m0.5–1 hr★3.6 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Dominion Park Walk

EasyHamilton

0.8 km↑0 mabout 13 min★3.5 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kids

Te Kowhai Walk

EasyHamilton

4.8 km↑6 m1–1.5 hr★4.0 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Les Batkin Reserve Walk

EasyTuakau

1.3 km↑3 mabout 16 min★3.0 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

Tarawaere Dam Loop Track

ModerateWhitianga

4.3 km↑204 m1.5–2 hr★3.9 rating

Swim spotShade

Morrinsville Recreational Reserve Walk

EasyMorrinsville

1.8 km↑4 m0.5–1 hr★3.6 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Marokopa Loop Walk

EasyTe Anga

2.1 km↑4 m0.5–1 hr★3.0 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Motuoapa Cliff Lookout Walk

EasyTūrangi

0.5 km↑31 mabout 8 min★3.8 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Rocky's Walk to Tinker's Gully

HardThames

5.5 km↑333 m2–2.5 hr★3.9 rating

Swim spotShade

Jansen Park Loop

EasyHamilton

1.4 km↑3 m0.5–1 hr★3.7 rating

Good with kids

Opera Point Walk

ModerateCoromandel

1.8 km↑84 m0.5–1 hr★3.6 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Brennan Field Park Loop

EasyPaeroa

1.4 km↑0 mabout 17 min★2.1 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kids

Victoria Park to Kuranui Bay Reserve via Thames Coastal Walkway

EasyThames

3.7 km↑3 m0.5–1 hr★3.2 rating

Swim spotGood with kidsPram friendly

Harray Track

ModerateCoromandel

6.1 km↑243 m2–2.5 hr★3.7 rating

Swim spotShade

Te Puru Track Loop

HardThames

19 km↑746 m7–7.5 hr★3.4 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfoot

Wentworth Mines Walk

EasyWhangamatā

0.7 km↑13 m10m

Kahikatea Walk

EasyThames

0.7 km↑8 m9m

Murrays Walk

EasyThames

0.6 km↑9 m7m

Edwards Lookout

EasyThames

0.6 km↑0 m7m

Kauaeranga Nature Walk

EasyThames

0.5 km↑3 m6m

Jasper Creek Walk

EasyThames

0.5 km↑9 m6m

Victoria Battery Ore Kiln Walk

EasyWaihi

0.2 km↑0 m2m

Great Lake Trail: Waihora Section

HardKuratau

13 km↑232 m2h 55m

Great Lake Trail: Waihāhā Section

HardKuratau

11 km↑228 m2h 36m

Great Lake Trail: Headland Loop (W2K)

HardTaupō

10.0 km↑199 m2h 19m

Tapu Summit to Crosbies Hut Track

HardThames

9.0 km↑289 m2h 17m

Hihi Trig Track

HardThames

6.1 km↑596 m2h 12m

Cambridge North Green Belt

Easy

2.8 km↑10 m34m

Kihikihi Cycleway

Easy

4.0 km↑18 m49m

Pram friendly

Leamington Walkway

Easy

0.7 km↑4 m8m

Pram friendly

Oak Arboretum Track 1

Easy

0.5 km↑0 m6m

Pram friendly

Oak Arboretum Track 2

Easy

0.5 km↑0 m6m

Pram friendly

Oaklands Walkway

Easy

1.0 km↑1 m11m

Pram friendly

Pioneer Walk

Easy

1.7 km↑16 m21m

Saffron Walkway Section 1

Easy

1.7 km↑3 m20m

Pram friendly

Saffron Walkway Section 2

Easy

0.4 km↑0 m4m

Pram friendly

Tairua River Trail

Easy

0.7 km↑0 m8m

Pram friendly

Catleys Track -Tarawaere To Catleys Camp

Easy

1.3 km↑27 m17m

Billygoat Landing Walk

Easy

0.1 km↑0 m0m

GLT Chinamen's Creek Section

Moderate

8.6 km↑119 m1h 55m

GLT Kawakawa Bay Tk

Moderate

6.9 km↑209 m1h 43m

GLT Whakaipo-Kinloch Track (W2K)

Hard

13 km↑495 m3h 23m

Huka Falls Path

Easy

0.2 km↑0 m2m

Pram friendly

Karangahake Gorge Tunnel Loop Walk

Easy

3.9 km↑112 m57m

Karangahake Tunnel

Easy

3.3 km↑57 m45m

Omori Stm

Easy

0.6 km↑8 m7m

Outlook 76 Short Walk

Easy

1.5 km↑46 m22m

Pukawa

Easy

1.2 km↑7 m15m

Rings Beach Loop Track

Moderate

4.5 km↑260 m1h 20m

Rotary Ride, Spa Park to Huka Falls

ModerateTaupō

5.6 km↑80 m1h 14m

TRT - Tongariro River W/Way

Moderate

5.8 km↑25 m1h 12m

TRT - Admiral's Rd-TNTC

Easy

1.6 km↑7 m19m

TRT - TNTC to Red Hut Bridge

Easy

0.4 km↑0 m4m

TRT - TNTC (DOC section)

Easy

0.8 km↑8 m10m

TRT - Waikari Reserve Loop Track

Easy

2.3 km↑33 m30m

TRT - Tongariro River Lookout Tk

Easy

1.2 km↑34 m17m

TRT - Taupahi Reserve Tk

Easy

2.0 km↑9 m24m

Tararu Track

Hard

5.1 km↑418 m1h 43m

Te Puru Track

Moderate

5.5 km↑56 m1h 11m

Third Branch Track

Easy

0.7 km↑86 m17m

Victoria Battery to Waikino Walk

Easy

0.8 km↑8 m10m

Waiomu Valley Tramping Track

Hard

2.9 km↑526 m1h 27m

Waiotahi To Karaka Tramping Track

Moderate

6.3 km↑89 m1h 24m

Water Race Link Track

Moderate

1.6 km↑219 m40m

Whangaiterenga To Karaka Track

Hard

7.9 km↑637 m2h 39m

Wharekaho Beach (Simpsons Beach)

EasyWhitianga

1.9 km↑12 m24 min

Ōpoutere Beach

EasyWhangamatā

2.2 km↑43 m30 min

Rangatira Point Track

EasyTaupō

1.8 km↑8 m22 min

Te Iringa Track

HardKaimanawa Forest Park

11 km↑470 mabout 2 hr 56

Mount Pureora from Link Road

ModeratePureora Forest Park

2.5 km↑322 m1 hr 2 min

Kaitoke Walkway

EasyRaglan

1.3 km↑14 m16 min

Waihāhā Hut Track

HardKuratau

9.3 km↑261 m2 hr 17 min

Mt Tītīraupenga Track

ModeratePureora

3.4 km↑316 m1 hr 12 min

Arataki Track

ModerateTaupō

5.3 km↑206 mabout 1 hr 24

Howarth Memorial Wetlands

EasyTe Aroha

2.6 km↑10 m32 min

Whangamatā Ocean Beach

EasyWhangamatā

2.3 km↑9 m28 min

Onemana Beach

EasyOnemana

1.4 km↑55 m22 min

Pāuanui Ocean Beach South

EasyPāuanui

1.5 km↑0 m18 min

Days Park Loop

EasyHamilton

1.0 km↑10 m13 min

Wentworth Falls Walk

ModerateWhangamatā

2.9 km↑177 m52 min

Star ratings are average scores from the walkers who have logged each track.

Stay & walk

Dog-friendly campsites near Waikato tracks

DOC campsites within reach of these tracks, check each one's dog rules before you book.

Keep exploring

More dog-friendly walks near Waikato

Towns in Waikato

Thames 26 Hamilton 25 Taupō 20 Tūrangi 19 Whitianga 14 Cambridge 10 Paeroa 10 Coromandel 7 Morrinsville 5 Whangamatā 5 Tuakau 4 Te Aroha 3

Nearby regions

Northland Auckland Bay of Plenty Gisborne Hawke's Bay Taranaki

By feature

Where they can run Swim spots Accessible walks Dog-friendly beaches in Waikato DOC campsites Campgrounds & holiday parks