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Key facts
- Distance
- 12 km return via same track
- Walking time
- 6 hr return
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Pirongia Forest Park
- Dog access
- No dogs. 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
Walk to the tallest recorded native tree in New Zealand.
This DOC directory entry covers Kaniwhaniwha: Kahikatea tree in Waikato, within Pirongia 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: 12 km return via same track
- Walking time: 6 hr return
- 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.
- Pirongia track closures; First published on 14 February 2026. Last reviewed on 6 October 2026.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
From the Kaniwhaniwha car park, follow the Nikau Walk to Bell Track.
Past the Kaniwhaniwha Caves the track becomes undulating, with some uneven ground and muddy sections along Blue Bull Stream up to the swingbridge.
Don't cross the swingbridge but continue upstream for 10 minutes beyond the bridge to the kahikatea tree with its distinctive buttressed trunk. At 66.5 m, this is the tallest recorded native tree in New Zealand.
Bell Track continues to the summit across the swingbridge.
Getting there
Access this track from from Limeworks Loop Road.
From Hamilton take SH23 to Whatawhata. Turn left onto Te Pahu Road after the bridge over the Waipa River. Limeworks Loop Road is about 10.6 km on the right.
Know before you go
This track is a long day walk (6 hours, 12km return). Pack everything on the day hike packing list, including a waterproof raincoat, warm clothes and spare food. Put a torch plus extra batteries in your bag – these are very helpful for if the walk takes longer than you expect and it starts to get dark.
Because of poorly drained soils, the tracks can be very muddy, especially after rain. We recommend sturdy shoes with good grip.
If you plan to explore Kaniwhaniwha Caves, take a torch and spare batteries, and expect that it will be wet underfoot. You can walk through the 20-metre-long main cave, but note there is a short hands-and-knees crawl. The second smaller cave is tight and narrow. There are sections that may be a squeeze to get through (for example, you may need to remove your backpack).
Check the Pirongia Mountain weather forecast – NIWA website
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.
