The Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway is an easy trail taking you from Karangahake Hall to Waikino, passing through the spectacular gorge and then along the river. It’s a long walk at 7km each way, but you don’t have to do all of it to see the best of the scenery. In fact, we don’t recommend doing the whole thing unless you really fancy some exercise, or you have a bike.
The majority of the walk is - especially by New Zealand standards - a bit mundane. Doing the whole trail isn’t unenjoyable, but it is so far from the best in the area that it’s not going to be a good choice for most people. However, you can do a shorter version of the walk which is absolutely fantastic. We’re going to detail both options in this guide so you can decide which is the best route for you.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway.
The Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway
The stats
Distance: 7km one way, not including side trails
Elevation gain: 100m
Difficulty: Easy, but long if you walk it both ways
Trailhead: Karangahake Hall
Summary of the full walk: The full length of the walkway is on a well maintained track and almost entirely flat. The majority of the track is a shared use path, so you may encounter some bikes along the way. If you have two cars you can do this walk as a one way route as there are car parks at both ends.
There are a couple of short diversions from the main track which are well worth doing and add on a small amount of extra distance. If you’re not walking the track both ways there are two possible routes you can take near the beginning.
One takes you through the gorge beside the river and one takes you through the old railway tunnel.
However, we recommend a short circuit, which covers the best scenery on the trail, as well as the Windows Walk and Railway Tunnel. This trail is a 3.5km loop with an additional 2km for the Windows Walk.
Starting the trail: through the gorge route
The walk starts at the car park at Karangahake Hall. If you’re choosing to do the entire walkway as a one way route, you can start by going through the railway tunnel or through the gorge (we recommend going through the gorge as this is some of the nicest scenery on the entire trail). If you do the shorter loop, then we also recommend starting with the gorge and ending with the tunnel.
From the car park, you’ll begin on a smooth flat path with some good views of the gorge wall almost straight away. Unfortunately, the road is relatively close to the walkway (on the other side of the river) so you do hear some noise from passing cars and this remains for the majority of the trail (though I noticed it most along the first 2km).
It could be a lot worse, but this is definitely not a wilderness walk.
Roughly 400m into the trail you’ll get your first big view of the gorge and river. The path is flat and the compact dirt is smooth and easy to walk on.
At the 750m mark the path curves left, downhill and then bends right to cross over a swing bridge.
The bridge has a lovely view of the river and cascades and has a bit of a sway, but not enough that would be likely to scare anyone!
Through the gorge
After crossing the swing bridge you come to a junction and from here you could make a 2km return detour to check out the old gold mining tunnels and tramway on the Windows Walk.
It’s a fantastic short trail and has a lot more to offer than the vast majority of the historic walkway. If you do want to make this detour, you’ll have a few staircases to climb before the track will flatten.
Returning to the historic walkway
To continue along the historic walkway you’ll pass the remains of the Woodstock Battery and head onto a gravel path in the forest.
You can hear, but not initially see, the river below. If you keep an eye out you’ll also spot some old mining relics along the riverbank.
There are some tiny ups and downs along the way, but the majority of the path is flat.
Just over 1.4km into the trail you’ll see a worn path leading down to the water’s edge (it takes less than a minute to reach the river).
There is shallow access into the water here if you fancy a dip, though watch out for the flow of the river and the current as it can be strong if water levels are high.
Once back on the main path you’ll head along one of the most scenic sections of the whole trail. A very narrow paved path clings to the side of the gorge wall, offering fantastic views and allowing you to really feel like you’re in the gorge itself.
The only downside is that it’s a rockfall area (marked by signs) so you can’t really linger.
After a couple of hundred metres making your way along the gorge wall, you’ll climb up a very short, (few steps) but steep paved path up and into the forest.
There are a few rocks and tree roots along the next section of the path before it smooths out again.
Roughly 150m later, or 1.9km into the trail you’ll see another path leading down to the water’s edge. This is a maintained path with stairs and offers some good river views.
This is also another trail junction, left takes you through the old railway tunnel and right continues along the historic walkway.
Reaching the old railway tunnel
At this point (2km in), you’ll reach the the old railway tunnel. The tunnel is part of the former Paeroa to Waihi Railway, which was in operation between 1905 and 1978. It’s 1.1km long and fun to walk through.
From here you can choose to loop back to where you parked (for the shorter loop) or continue on for the one way route along the full historic walkway (which misses walking through the tunnel).
If you have chosen to do the one way historic walkway and started by going through the railway tunnel, then you will have missed the gorge and the windows detour.
If you opt for the shorter loop and walk through the tunnel, there is low lighting inside so you don’t need a torch and though you can always see the end it feels like it takes a long time to get there!
The tunnel leads to another bridge before descending past a couple of old mining relics and over a final bridge back to the car park.
Continuing on the historic walkway to the hidden quarry and waterfall
If you choose to complete the full walkway, you’ll turn right at the junction with the railway tunnel (left taking you across the bridge and into the tunnel). From here the track conditions change and you’re now walking on a wide gravel path which forms part of the Hauraki Rail Trail.
Whilst it’s not exciting terrain, it does make for a very relaxing stroll. However, from this point on you no longer feel like you’re in a gorge, so if you’ve come for gorge scenery then make sure you walk along the gorge first.
Roughly 1km after the junction with the railway tunnel, you’ll reach a wonderful little side track (200m each way). This was the highlight (by a loooong way) of the rest of the historic walkway, so do not miss it!
You’ll see a signpost marking where to turn (it’s next to a bench) and stepping off the gravel path and into the forest is like entering another world.
The trail condition does change, as you’ll now follow a narrow dirt track, which can be a little muddy after rain. However, it’s by no means awful (and we visited after three days torrential rain) and the forest and waterfall is so worth it.
After 100m on the detour, you’ll see a worn path leading off to the right. It’s only a minute or so off the track and leads to an old mine shaft.
This bit of the path is a lot muddier and it’s not much to write home about so you can skip this bit if you want.
On the main trail you’ll continue for a further 100m through a really beautiful forest. It’s quite unlike anything you’ll see along the gorge path, with dense ferns and lots of branches dripping in moss.
At the end of this stunning little forest you’ll reach a waterfall tumbling over a tall cliff wall. It has a really lovely feel to it, the perfect little hideaway from the main track.
Heading to Owharoa Falls
Once back on the main walkway you’ll continue along the wide flat gravel track. Sometimes you’re walking close to the river but often you’re slightly set back. It’s pleasant enough but it’s not going to blow you away.
We enjoyed it but there’s no real scenery of note until you reach the turnoff for Owharoa Falls, 2.3km from the quarry waterfall turn off (5.8km into the trail). Owharoa Falls is located just under 200m away from the main trail and it’s gorgeous.
However, unlike the quarry waterfall, you can drive to it, which is why I don’t really count it as a reason to do the full walkway.
The detour is uphill on the road for just over 100m before you head onto a proper walking track for the final 70m. The path is gravel and in good condition.
The waterfall is really impressive and has a lovely pool at the base if you’re visiting in the warmer months. Access to the water is by stepping over a few rocks and into a shallow part of the pool.
To Victoria Battery and finishing the trail
Once you’re back on the main track after visiting the falls you’ll head onto a concrete path. Just over 1km later you’ll pass the picturesque Waikino Memorial Bridge and 100m later you’ll enter the start of the Victoria Battery site.
The battery was used to crush quartz and there’s a fair bit to see. In honesty it was almost sunset when we got here (we loved the Windows Walk detour so much we ran very late!) so we didn’t explore much.
If you are interested in the history of the site, you could probably while away a fair amount of time here. You’ll also find toilets if needed.
The main path continues for 700m through the battery site and then along a wooden bridge before heading through an underpass. The car park at Waikino station is 150m away.
This is the official end of the Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway, but there’s really no need to go past the battery if you aren’t doing a car shuffle.
Essential Info
Getting to the Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway
The Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway is located in the Coromandel. The closest car park to the trailhead is at Karangahake Hall, you can view it here on Google Maps.
The car park is a decent size and has toilets available. about a minute’s walk away (close to the hall).
It’s around 40km and a 35 minute drive from Thames, 115km and a 1 hour 35 minute drive from Whitianga and 94km and a 1 hour 30 minute drive from Coromandel town.
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