Waikato · Hard · 2 days

Karangahake Gorge

Gold mining tunnels & river gorge

36.8 km walking57 km driving2 days6 stops

Best for History, Families.

Dogs on this trip. Dogs are welcome right across Karangahake: the Gorge Loop, the glow-worm rail tunnel and the Crown Track all sit on DOC-administered land that takes dogs, and the Waihi-to-Waikino rail trail is the stretch with room to run. The kilometre-long tunnels are pitch dark with uneven footing and open mine shafts just off the track, so keep the dog tight to you and carry a torch, and watch the fast, cold Ohinemuri River at the swing bridges. Crucially, the Karangahake and wider Kaimai area gets periodic 1080 and ground-bait pest-control operations - check the DOC website for active poison warnings before you go, as the bait is fatal to dogs. Tracks are open year-round with no seasonal dog closure.

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Day 1

Gorge & Tunnels

1
Karangahake Gorge Loop
Dogs allowed15.0 km · Hard · 5.5–6 hr
The classic - swing bridges, river terraces and pitch-dark tramway tunnels. Dogs are welcome the whole way, and keep them close in the tunnels. The full loop is a solid 5.5-6 hr, or cut it to the Windows Walk section for a shorter family outing.
2
Karangahake Old Railway Tunnel Loop
Dogs allowed3.4 km · Easy · 1.5–2 hr
The 1 km glow-worm rail tunnel - bring a headlamp and keep the dog close on the uneven, unlit floor. Dogs welcome, about 1.5-2 hr.
~4 km drive
3
Dickey Flat Campsite
Dogs allowed
Riverside DOC campsite up the Waitawheta valley - dogs welcome. Your base for both nights.
~12 km drive to Day 2

Day 2

Rail Trail

1
Waihi to Waikino Track
Dogs allowed9.2 km · Moderate · 2.5–3 hr
Flat, easy rail trail hugging the river - and the one stretch on this route with room for a dog to properly run. About 2.5-3 hr.
~12 km drive
2
Crown Track to Dickey's Flat
Dogs allowed9.2 km · Hard · 4–4.5 hr
Bush track up the old Crown tramway that drops you straight back into the Dickey Flat campsite. Dogs welcome, a longer 4-4.5 hr leg, so save it for the afternoon.
~29 km drive
3
Dickey Flat Campsite
Dogs allowed
Back to the riverside camp for your second night.

Banks’ tip. Dickey Flat is a beautiful riverside campsite. Bring headlamps for the tunnels.

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