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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: -37.61069, 175.15580. 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
- 3 km loop
- Walking time
- 40 min | 2 hr
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Hakarimata Scenic Reserve
- 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
This well formed track offers spectacular views, beautiful bush and one of the largest kauri trees in the Waikato.
This DOC directory entry covers Kauri Loop Track in Waikato, within Hakarimata Scenic Reserve. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 3 km loop
- Walking time: 40 min | 2 hr
- 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
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
Kauri grove
Time: 40 min one way
The track starts with a flight of stairs, then levels out to cross a largely open face with views to the north. Walk past an old pa site (hidden by vegetation) through regenerating native bush to a large kauri tree, estimated to be over a thousand years old.
A few minutes further on, and past the site of a large kauri that fell in 2009, the track passes through a grove of young kauri (rickers) to a viewpoint that looks out across the forest.
Return the way you came or continue on to complete the full loop.
Full loop
Time: 2 hr
From the viewpoint, climb up through stands of large rimu to an excellent view point of Huntly and the north Waikato lakes.
From here you can continue on the Hakarimata Walkway to the Southern Lookout (20 min, 700 m) with views that extend across Hamilton and south to Tongariro National Park on a clear day. Otherwise continue on the loop track, descend through an attractive grove of nikau palms to a lower viewpoint and the car park.
Getting there
Address
End of Parker Road, Waikato.
Directions
The track is 6.9 km south of Huntly and 11.2 km north of Ngāruawāhia. It starts from the end of Parker Road, off Hakarimata Road which connects these two towns.
Know before you go
Boot cleaning station
Make use of the magnificent new boot cleaning station at the start of the track. Our footwear can carry the spores causing kauri dieback. Cleaning your boots protects our precious kauri.
The No Entry sign is to clarify which lane on the boot cleaning station you should use, not to keep you off the track.
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.
