On-leadHard
Karangahake Gorge Loop
Paeroa · Waikato · Loop
↑ 281 m gain↓ 281 m descenthigh 154 msteepest 26 %
DISTANCE15.0 km
ASCENT281 m
DURATION5.5–6 hr
STEEPEST26 %
ROUTELoop
RATING · HIKERS 4.4 · 183
DOG EFFORT3.8 /5 paws
PARKING30 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 spotsWaterfallForest shadePaw-friendly sealed surfaceA popular track, busy on weekendsStile 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.
About Karangahake Gorge Loop
Karangahake Gorge Loop is a loop of 15.0 km, near Paeroa in Waikato.
Graded hard, it climbs about 281 m overall, pitching up to 26 % at its steepest, and takes about 5.5–6 hr to walk.
The track takes in caves, native forest, river frontage, and big views. Dogs are welcome here on the lead. Hikers rate it 4.4 / 5 across 183 reviews.