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 Kaimai Hike This is a good hike for the intermediate level hiker. Just South of the Coromandel Peninsular the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park is a long thin area of rugged native forest. The hike into Waitawheta Hut is the best walk in the park and offers a little bit of everything; river crossings, kauri trees, a 70 metre water fall, a little NZ logging history and a quality hut.
Highlights
- Waitawheta Hut
- Ananui Falls
- Kauri trees
How Long:
The hike involves about 10 hours of walking and so is ideal for a weekend trip. The trip can be done in either direction but we recommend you go in the easy way (as described here) so that you have time to chill out at the hut. It is about 2 hours drive from Auckland to the start of the hike just East of Paeroa. The track is a loop which makes it easy.
This trip involves a number of river crossings so it not recommended for wet weather.
The START - From Paeroa follow the signs to Waihi through the Karangahake Gorge. On your right you will see Waitawheta Road - follow this and then turn into Spence Road and immediately into Franklin Road. There is a car park at the end.
- Unload your gear here and make preparations for the hike.
Accommodation
The 26 bed Waitawheta hut was constructed in 2005 and is a modern large roomy place. It is a good place to chill out and there are some good short walks nearby for exploring. There is plenty of room to camp outside if you want to. Food and drink
There is no food provided at the hut so you will need to carry everything with you. The closest supermarket is in Paeroa but we would recommend sorting your food out before you leave Auckland. Take a couple of lunches, one dinner, one breakfast and some yummy energy snacks to get you up the hills. Hiking
- Initially the track leaves the car park and heads up the valley over farmland but this soon gives way to bush. Ignore the tracks to the left and right and keep going straight beside the river. The track is well made (it was an old tramline). It will take you 4 hours and 6 river crossings to reach the hut. There is a nice gorge just before the hut.
- The hut has been built on the site of an old timber Mill so there are lots of relics around - see what you can find.
Next morning - In the morning follow the track (last time we went it was a bit overgrown) for a couple of hours over the saddle and into the next valley. At the first track junction turn left (don't go right as others have got lost here) and soon you will begin climbing. Make sure you check out Ananui Falls from the top - the water tumbles 70 metres from here to the valley floor below.
- The next part of the track is not overly exciting but you will soon reach the Kauri grove (two large Kauri trees that avoided the logging). From here it is a short walk back down to the Waitawheta River to pick up the track back to the carpark. Expect this whole day to take 6 hours.
Heading for Home
Return to Auckland the same way - stop in Paeroa for a refreshing L&P.
What to take
- Sleeping bag
- Food for 2 days
- Pots, pans and cutlery
- One litre water bottle (there is water in the hut and rivers)
- A cooker
- Sensible walking shoes
- Warm clothes
- Raincoat
- Sun block
- Insect repellent
- First Aid kit
- Torch
- Candle and matches/lighter
- Tent and sleeping mat (if you intend to camp)
- A rubbish bag
- Map of the area
Don’t forget
- To check the weather forecast and take a map! People have got lost on this trip before.
- There are no rubbish bins provided in the park - so what you carry in you must carry out (think about this before you pack)
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