Discover the Hakarimata Kauri Loop
Located in the Waikato region, the Hakarimata Kauri Loop is a unique opportunity to explore a recovering kauri forest and witness the region's oldest kauri tree. This loop is in the Hakarimata Range and connects to the Hakarimata Walkway, which also forms part of Te Araroa.
Journey Through the Forest
The loop walk is at the north end of the Hakarimata Walkway. The easiest way to reach it is to hike up the walkway from the car park on Parker Road. From the car park, it's a 1.4 km, 230-metre climb, with many steps, to the second access point to the loop.
When you reach the second access point, you'll enjoy a superb view of the Waikato River. From there, you descend through a section of regenerating native forest. As you follow the winding path, you'll encounter a grove of impressive, but still relatively young kauri trees, some over a century old. Continuing along the track, you'll pass through a regenerating kauri forest filled with young rickers, or baby trees, before reaching the ancient kauri. This majestic tree stands as a testament to the area's natural history, having survived the extensive logging of rimu and kauri trees over a century ago. The reason for its preservation is a mystery.
You rejoin the Hakarimata a short distance beyond the ancient tree. The overall walk takes about an hour. If you want to only walk to the ancient kauri, it takes about 20 minutes each way.
How to Get There
To access the Hakarimata Kauri Loop from Huntly to the north, take Riverview Road along the Waikato River to Parker Road. From Ngāruawāhia to the south, follow Ngāruawāhia Road along the river. There is a large car park, with a pou, off Parker Road next to the trailhead.
You can also hike the Waterworks Track into the Hakarimata Range from Ngāruawāhia, and visit nearby Taupiri, the Huntly Lakes, and the Taupiri Pass Scientific Reserve.
