Kauri Loop Walk - A Beautiful Hike in the Waikato
There is nothing quite as disgusting as being woken up by an alarm. But - it is more tolerable when you are setting off on a sunrise adventure and not pulling your sorry ass to work.
That is just what I did this weekend, set the alarm for 5:30am and went on a little adventure. My destination Kauri Loop track in Ngāruawāhia, just under half an hour drive from Hamilton. I had done this walk a few times but it had been a while, so my legs and soul were not exactely ready for the million stairs that make up this track (yup, this walk is essentially your leg’s nightmare).
But I have a goal this year. Get fit. Get outside. Get into it. And by fit, I dont mean so buff you can bounce a coin off my washboard abs, I mean, walking without puffing like a grandma. And for me, getting outside more is the ultimate balm for my stressed out mind.
Anyway. Enough exposition. Time to get into the meat and potatoes of this post - Kauri Loop Track. In this post, I will go over how to get there, the walk itself, some cool flora and fauna you may be able to spot on the walk.
Getting there
For this walk, to make it just a touch more special, I would recommend aiming for sunrise. And by that, I mean reaching the top of walk for sunrise for some gorgous views. That means planning. So whereever you are coming from, plan accordling. If you are coming from Hamilton, it takes around 30 mins to drive out and 40 mins to the top, so be there around an hour or so before sunrise. Because you will be hiking for some of this in the dark, bring a light source.
The walk’s carpark can be found at the end of Parker Road, off Hakarimata Road. The last of the road is gravel, but it is well maintained.
The Walk
For this walk, I recommend good shoes, a water bottle, and your camera if you have one as the views from the top are gorgeous.
Before you start the walk, there is a Boot Cleaning Station to stop the spread of Kauri Dieback. So be sure to give your shoes a good scrub before entering.
This walk can be done in either a loop or straight up and down to the top viewpoint. I recommend the loop - just because there are some beautiful NZ natural features you can see on this walk.
For the start of the walk, expect stairs. And a lot of them. I will admit my weekend exursuion had me stopping a few times to wipe the sweat off my brow and catch my flagging breath. The stairs can be killer. Because, around every corner is mooore. But it is a good challenge and you can take it as slow as you need. There are a few benches scattered on the track, so you can take a breather. I also enjoyed stopping and looking at the trees surrounding me and hearing the bird calls.
You will eventually reach a point where you can go to the lookout or continue with the loop. Go to the lookout. This is what you have been sweating for. The views are acorss Huntly Lakes and the River, and yes, there is a god awful powerstation out in the view, but ignore that and focus on the beauty around you.
At sunrise or a misty morning, this view is something to behold.
Once you have caught your breath, enjoyed the view, and attempted to mop up some of the sweat from your face, go back and continue the loop. Or if you are short of time, head back the way you came - as it is a short 20 mins down.
The loop is longer, but it brings you through Kauri Grove, home to young kauri (rickers). There is some viewpoints of the surrounding forest as well. Along the loop, you will also meet a grand old kauri tree. Access to getting close to this guy is cordoned off - so please respect this and view from a distance. This is one of the largest Kauri in Waikato and has a circumference of seven metres. It is a grand old tree and will take your breath away. Luckily there is a bench seat to rest and soak in all this tree’s majesty.
After this, it is around 20 mins to the carpark. All downhill. Enjoy it. Revel in this green wonderland. And rememeber to clean your boots when you leave.
Some cool Flora and Fauna to see
The unique bark of Kauri Tree
Kauri Tree - Well you would expect Kauri Trees on a walk that is literally got that in its name. Kauri are very special trees in New Zealand, grand giants of the forest. They can live for thousands of years these trees, and the Giant Kauri in this forest, is around 1000 years old. Middle aged for a Kauri. Kauri are threatened with Kauri Dieback, a disease that straves and kills the tree. To learn how to protect this regal tree, check out this website.
Nikau flowers
Nikau Palm -The Nikau is New Zealand’s only native palm and you can see a whole grove during this walk. They are tall, growing around 10-15m, and are regonisable from their circular trunks with regular scarring pattern, caused by fronds falling off. The nīkau is very slow-growing. Research that was conducted in nearby Auckland forests, found that it takes the tree 40-50 years to form a trunk and 200 years to reach 10m tall.
Turutu or NZ Blueberry - I spotted a few of these vibrant blue berries sprouting from thin branches during my walk. They fruit in summer months and birds like to eat these striking berries. This is a native NZ evergreen flax plant. These berries should not be eaten by humans as they are toxic to us. I repeat - DO NOT EAT. Go to the supermarket and get some blueberries if you are that keen to eat a blue berry. Leave this one for the birds.
Turutu Berries
Is it worth it?
Yes. This walk is worth it. It is true that the stairs are killer. But it is a great walk if you want to get out of your head for a while and just focus on the leg pain and the tightness in your lungs.
The walk is also worth it for the views from the top and meeting a thousand year old Kauri Tree who has seen many things and makes you feel like a young sapling.
Some Info
Remember to follow leave no trace principles - please bring all rubbish with you. There are no bins here.
Please do not remove any flora or fauna. Keep nature intact.
Please use the Boot Cleaning Station to protect these beautiful trees.
Please respect the barriers in place and do not go close to the Kauri
Enjoy and be gentle with our beautiful nature.