Karaka Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Karaka Track is one tramping option to reach Crosbies Hut. It joins with Waiotahi Track and both tracks can be completed as a shorter loop.

This DOC directory entry covers Karaka Track in Waikato, within Coromandel Forest Park / Kauaeranga Valley. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 12.9 km one way
• Walking time: 5 hr
• 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.

Description

Karaka Track is a rugged and overgrown tramping track. There are boggy sections and stream crossings that can be difficult. For an easier option, try Waiotahi Track: this is a well-formed track with good all-weather access.

Karaka Track starts from Karaka Road, Thames and follows Karaka Stream all the way up the valley. You will need to cross Karaka Stream without a bridge. This is fine at low flows, but the stream is not safe to cross when the water levels are high (especially after heavy rain). Assess it carefully before crossing and if in doubt, stay out.

The track climbs to the ridge at the top of the valley. There are great views from ‘Red Rocks’ looking towards Table Mountain. The track follows the ridge, where it soon connects with Waiotahi Track. This junction is around 2 hours 30 min from the track entrance.

There is mountain biking access from Karaka Road until the Red Rocks area. There is then a stile and fence, and only walking access beyond it.

For a day walk loop

You can take a circuit back to Karaka Road, by going left at the junction, following Waiotahi Track to Waiotahi Road, then walking 30min by road back to Karaka Road.

To Crosbies Hut

To continue to Crosbies Hut, continue straight ahead along the ridgeline at the track junction.

Follow Karaka Track along the forested ridge. You pass another track junction, where Tararu Track meets Karaka Track. Continue straight ahead along the ridge.

There is another track junction, where Whangaiterenga Track meets Karaka Track. Continue on Karaka Track along the ridge. The track skirts to the left of a high point (646m). Not far beyond this, a short side track leads to Crosbies Hut.

Getting there

The track starts from Karaka Road, Thames.

Know before you go

This is a tramping track, make sure it’s right for you

This is a backcountry tramping track: it is rough, overgrown and boggy in places. There are unbridged stream crossings that can be dangerous after heavy rain.

It is best suited to experienced trampers who are comfortable on rough tracks and have good river crossing skills.

Waiotahi Track is an alternative – this is a well-formed track with good all-weather access.

Wear sturdy shoes with good grip, as the clay soils are slippery. It can be very muddy especially after rain.

Take care when crossing Karaka Stream

This stream can be dangerous to cross when the stream levels are high (e.g. after heavy rain). Assess it carefully before crossing and only cross if you are sure it’s safe.

Learn more about how to cross rivers safely (including the signs of an unsafe river)

Do not enter historic mining tunnels

There are historic mining tunnels in the Karaka Stream valley. These are closed to the public as they are unstable. For your safety, do not enter them.

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.