Karangahake Gorge

The Karangahake Gorge should win some sort of prize. It manages to merge SO many wonderful aspects of the North Island into one compact area. There's warm rivers and swimming holes, gold-mining ruins and relics, swing bridges over fern-draped gorges, swimmable waterfalls, a mountain-top viewpoint trig, tunnels requiring torches, and great freedom camping. Whew!

The natural beauty of this gorge is remarkable - the Waitawheta River charges out of its steep rocky canyon to merge with the Ohinemuri River right at the carpark. Just minutes away, across some bridges, you'll find a veritable outdoor gold-mining museum - tunnels, stampers, stopes, tramways, bridges, dams...and all sorts of other mining relics from the late 1800s. Credit be to DOC, who've done an AMAZING job preserving and rehabilitating this historic site, and better yet, actually making it enjoyable and intruiging. Superb info panels throughout the walkways detail the story of hillsides laced with shafts and tunnels, minus three million ounces of gold and silver.

Karangahake Gorge is truly the one spot on the North Island where beauty, history and fun exploration all intermingle.

Since DOC finished the rehab and fired up the publicity machine in 2006, plenty has been written about this fascinating area. Amazingly though, most folks still only stop for a quick look-see on their way to the beach...they cruise through the 'Windows' then hurry on. Don't. Give yourself some time here and you'll go away with memories that will last.

To get the most out of the area, beyond the Windows Walk, you'll need to pick up the K Gorge DOC pamphlet at either the Paeroa or Wihi I-Sites, or maybe across the street at the Talisman cafe.

Here's a bunch of options at Karangahake:

Windows Walk. This is the area's most popular attraction. A 45-ish minute track packs in a heap of sights, goldfield ruins and relics, tramways, bridges, and info panels. This is one of the island's finest short walks - the kind you'll tell your friends about! Bring a torch for the short tunnels (especially to explore side-tunnels. A lighter will do in a pinch.) At the carpark check the mapboard, head over two bridges then soon left and up the stairs. Through all the tunnels, cross the river and return on the opposite side.

Railway Tunnel Loop. this is an hour-or-so walking loop connecting a bit of the river trail with a bunch of bridges and a walk through a lighted railway tunnel located on the north side of the highway.

Crown Track. (One hour to Dickey). This is the moderate Waitawheta riverside track that heads upstream from the Windows walk to the Dickey Flat campground, passing through a 180m tunnel on the way. Very nice! From the Windows it's 30 minutes to the tunnel then 15 more to Dickey Flat. A torch is a must for the tunnel! Along the way there are plenty of swimming holes in the Waitawhta, but the best may be right at the tunnel entrance. See that tunnel bore next to the falls? Adventurers who dare wade through it will find hidden pools. Most people return the way they came, but for a loop back take the Dubbo/Number 7/Scotsman Gully tracks to loop back to the carpark.

Karanghake Mountain Trig Track. From the carpark it's a sweaty hour up to the top of the 544m peak. Of course, sweet views await of the Pacific, Paeroa, and the Firth of Thames. It's possible to make a loop down via the Number 7 track, but it takes twice the time of backtracking - you choose. Don't go without a map...then start up Scotsman's Gully and over to the Karangahake Mtn. track.

Owharoa Falls. The base area of this pretty waterfall makes a good picnic or happy hour spot. Swim a bit, take pix, relax and recharge. The signed falls are 5km east of the K Gorge carpark. Turn right, over the bridge and pull onto the right-hand shoulder. Walk up the road to find the short track to the falls.