Urchin Campsite to Pillars of Hercules
Kaimanawa Forest Park · Waikato · Point to Point
We drew and checked this walk ourselves against the authority quoted above before publishing it. The route line comes from official track data. DOC’s own wording: “Dogs with a DOC permit only. Contact closest DOC office to get a permit”. Evidence: the rule-setter’s own published wording. How we check dog rules.
Good to know
A DOC dog permit is required before any dog walks here. DOC codes this land for the hunting-dog permit, so it is not a casual dog walk. Ask the DOC office before planning to bring a dog.
Opens your email app, addressed to [email protected]. You can also call DOC on 0800 275 362.
About Urchin Campsite to Pillars of Hercules
Near Kaimanawa Forest Park in Waikato, Urchin Campsite to Pillars of Hercules runs 1.4 km as a point-to-point.
From Urchin Campsite, 3 km along Kaimanawa Road, this walk heads through kamahi forest above the Tongariro River to the Pillars of Hercules, where the river has cut a narrow chasm through ancient lava flows. You look down into it from a 40 m suspension bridge. It starts about 100 m from the campsite, climbs just enough to get the heart going, and has a view shaft across to Tongariro and Ruapehu part way along. DOC time it at 30 minutes one way; return the same way or along the road. Kaimanawa Forest Park needs a DOC permit for any dog, so arrange it with the Tūrangi office first.
Expect easy, near-level going, and takes about 17 min to walk.
A DOC dog permit is required before any dog walks here. Arrange it with the managing DOC office ahead of your trip.
