Karamū Walkway South: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Impressive limestone bluffs are features of this tramp. This track is part of Te Araroa Trail.

This DOC directory entry covers Karamū Walkway South in Waikato, within Raglan area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 8.1 km one way
• Walking time: 4 hr
• DOC grade: Intermediate

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.

• Karamu Walkway closed for lambing season; First published on 3 August 2026.

Seasonal restrictions

This reserve closes 1 Aug – 31 Oct for lambing season every year. Dates are subject to change so there will be an alert on this page if the walk is closed.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

This track is part of Te Araroa Trail.

This track can be combined with Karamū Walkway North and Four Brothers Track for a single, longer walk.

The track starts on the south side of Old Mountain Rd. After an initial climb you cross gently rolling pasture studded with outcrops of limestone before dropping down to a bush remnant at the southern end of the track. The track descends steeply in places through the bush, which may be slippery when wet, and then down a farm road to the grassy flats, with some large tōtara and kahikatea along the way. Follow the markers above the limeworks mill to the car park, and then out to Fillery Road. Don’t cross the swing bridge over the Kaniwhaniwha Stream which has been closed and is due for removal.

If you don't want to retrace your steps back along the track, you will need to arrange transport from either Limeworks Loop Road or Old Mountain Road.

Getting there

The northern end of this track is accessed from Old Mountain Road (partly gravel), 6 km from Waitetuna.

To get to the Karamū end, turn off Limeworks Loop Road on to Fillery Road, cross the one-lane bridge then follow the signs along a farm track to the car park.

Know before you go

• Keep to the marked route.

• Do not disturb stock (note that bulls may be present).

• Do not take dogs on the walkway.

• Do not carry firearms.

• Use stiles, not gates.

• Avoid hay barns and other farm structures.

• Be careful with cigarette butts.

• Avoid using the walkway after dark.

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.