On-leadModerate
Hauraki Rail Trail (Paeroa to Waihi)
Paeroa · Waikato · Point to Point
↑ 250 m gain↓ 156 m descenthigh 198 msteepest 55 %
DISTANCE21.7 km
ASCENT250 m
DURATION6–7 hr
STEEPEST55 %
ROUTEPoint to Point
RATING · HIKERS 4.6 · 155
DOG EFFORT4.6 /5 paws
PARKING160 m away
Nearest emergency vetBay After Hours Veterinary Hospital (BAHVET), Tauranga
07 220 9775
The route
Good to know
On the lead here. Keep it to two metres or less and watch for ground-nesting birds, as on most NZ tracks.
River swim spotsForest shadePaw-friendly sealed surfaceGood with kidsA popular track, busy on weekends4 cattle grids on routeSwing bridge on route
Check the water before the dog swims. Toxic algae blooms in NZ rivers and lakes can kill a dog within hours. Scan the LAWA water quality map in warm months and keep dogs away from dark slime on rocks.
A multi-day expedition, not an afternoon walk. Plan for huts, weather and full backcountry gear.
About Hauraki Rail Trail (Paeroa to Waihi)
Near Paeroa in Waikato, Hauraki Rail Trail (Paeroa to Waihi) runs 21.7 km as a point-to-point.
Expect moderate going, with around 250 m of climb, pitching up to 55 % at its steepest, and takes about 6–7 hr to walk.
Walkers come for native forest, river frontage, big views, and an old rail formation. Dogs are welcome here on the lead. Hikers rate it 4.6 / 5 across 155 reviews.