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Key facts
- Distance
- 2.2 km loop
- Walking time
- 1 hr
- Track grade
- Easiest
- Location
- Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park
- Dog access
- Dogs with a DOC permit only. Contact closest DOC office to get a permit. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
The H Tree Track in Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park is an easy loop track through grand podocarp forest. The forest is home to a number of native birds, including kaka.
This DOC directory entry covers H Tree Track in Gisborne, within Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 2.2 km loop
- Walking time: 1 hr
- DOC grade: Easiest
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Dog access
Dogs with a DOC permit only. Contact closest DOC office to get a permit. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
The track starts at Old Fort Road car park heading north for a short distance before turning back and crossing the Whirinaki Mountain Bike Track at intersection.
From this point the track continues for approxiamtely 400m until it reaches a large rimu tree notable for it's unusual "H" shape.
The track then continues for a short distance before turning east then north and then returns to the Old Fort Road car park where the track ends.
Getting there
Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park is 90 km south-east of Rotorua. The track is reached via Minginui Road, off te Whaiti Road (old SH 38), then via Old Te Whaiti Road and Old Fort Road to the Old Fort Road car park.
Know before you go
Note: This track is a suitable grade and width for wheelchair access. There is no cell phone coverage at this location.
Track condition
This site may be damaged with slips, flooding or fallen trees from severe weather. Be prepared to turn back if needed.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
