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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -35.52145, 173.46233. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 5.7 km one way
- Walking time
- 4 hr one way
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Waimā & Mataraua Forests
- Dog access
- Dogs with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes only. 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
Climb onto a razor back ridge in the Waimā Ranges for sensational views and pristine vegetation.
This DOC directory entry covers **Hauturu Highpoint Track ** in Northland, within Waimā & Mataraua Forests. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 5.7 km one way
- Walking time: 4 hr one way
- DOC grade: Advanced
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 for recreational hunting or management purposes only. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
The climb up Hauturu (679 m) is steep and slippery when wet but the views you can get at the top are worth the climb. Note, reaching the trig requires a short detour off the main track - allow extra time.
The track starts at the top of the Waiotemarama Waterfall Walk. It connects with the Waimā Main Range Track.
Getting there
The track starts at the top of the Waiotemarama Waterfall Walk which is signposted off Waiotemarama Gorge Road.
Nature and conservation
The track passes through a range of landscapes and forest types including a great variety of hardwoods such as tawa and towai; some podocarps such as tōtara and miro are also present. At the edge of the viewpoint at the top of the track, botanists may be interested in an Oleania spp. that is restricted to this area.
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.
