Wentworth Falls Walk
Whangamatā · Waikato
This walk was suggested by the community and checked against the authority quoted above before it was published. The route line comes from official track data. DOC’s own wording: “The Department of Conservation says it plainly on its own page for this track, under dog access: “Dogs on a leash only.” The same wording covers Wentworth Mines Walk at the other end of the valley, so the lead stays on for both. DOC also points to its wider “other pets on conservation land” rules for anything that is not a dog. Read 3 September 2026”. Evidence: the rule-setter’s own published wording. How we check dog rules.
Good to know
Dogs are allowed here. Keep them on the lead, watch for ground-nesting birds and stock, and read the signs at the gate.
About Wentworth Falls Walk
Near Whangamatā in Waikato, Wentworth Falls Walk runs 2.9 km.
A river walk in the Wentworth Valley behind Whangamatā, running from the campsite at the road end up an easy grade beside the Wentworth River to a viewpoint above the falls. DOC makes it 3 km each way and about three hours return, and our line comes out at 3.0 km one way, so the times match. It is graded easy to intermediate walking track, which is fair: most of it is flat and shaded, with the climb saved for the last stretch up to the lookout. Dogs are welcome on a lead. That is DOC’s own wording for this track, not an inference, and it holds for Wentworth Mines Walk further down the valley too. Access is off SH25 about 7 km south of Whangamatā, into Wentworth Valley Road, and the track starts from the campsite at the end of it. There is parking at the road end and the campsite alongside is dog friendly, so this works as a walk from the tent as much as a drive out. One thing to know before you go: DOC flags a damaged section roughly 1 km up from the campground that is uneven and rocky, with a creek crossing where you step across on rocks. It is fine in normal flow and awkward with a small dog after rain. DOC’s own advice is not to attempt the crossing if you are unsure you can do it safely or if the creek is flooding, and the Wentworth comes up fast in Coromandel rain. Turn round at the creek rather than push it.
Expect moderate going, with around 177 m of climb, and takes about 52 min to walk.
Dogs are allowed here, on the lead. This walk is on the map because Inge & Pip suggested it, and we checked it against the source above.
