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Key facts
- Distance
- 1.1 km loop
- Walking time
- 20 min
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Kaimanawa Forest 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
A family friendly short walk starting from Urchin Campsite at the end of Kaimanawa Road.
This DOC directory entry covers Kaimanawa Forest Loop Walk in Central North Island, within Kaimanawa Forest 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: 1.1 km loop
- Walking time: 20 min
- DOC grade: Easy
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
A gently sloping, easy loop walk through beautiful native bush. There is a notable variety of forest types to be found on this short walk.
Getting there
Starts and finishes by the Urchin Campsite 3 km along Kaimanawa Road. Kaimanawa Road is off SH1, 15 km south of Tūrangi.
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.
