Mangorewa Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

This track passes through a fine example of lowland forest, one of the few areas left unlogged on the Mamaku Plateau.

This DOC directory entry covers Mangorewa Track in Bay of Plenty, within Mangorewa Ecological 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: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
• Walking time: 5 hr 30 min return
• DOC grade: Expert

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

From the track entrance the track leads directly to the Ohaupara Stream. The track crosses the stream several times before climbing to a ridge. Take the left fork and descend for an hour to a small stream. A 1-hour climb will take you to an open area, and a further half-hour to Mangorewa Stream.

From there, you can return the way you came or walk down the Mangorewa stream (3 hours to the car park). This route is passable only when the river level is low and is suitable only for experienced trampers wearing tramping boots. Take extreme care as the rocks are slippery, and there are numerous deep potholes to avoid. Leave the river bed via the right bank just before the road bridge. A small track exits the stream to the car park.

Getting there

The Mangorewa Ecological Area is 20 km north of Rotorua on the western side of Tauranga Direct Road (SH 36). Coming from Rotorua, the car park is on the left just before the bridge at the bottom of the gorge area, next to the exit from Mangorewa Stream. The track entrance is 500 m north of the car park on the left. Carefully cross the road, walking north (against the traffic) and cross the second bridge. 100 m up the hill, carefully cross the road again to find the track entrance immediately behind the sign for the Mangorewa Ecological area.

Know before you go

You need to be well prepared when tramping on conservation land, especially on the longer day walks. Ensure you have strong, comfortable boots, warm clothing, a good raincoat, first aid kit, plenty of food and water, a hat and sunscreen. It is also advisable to leave your tramping intentions with a responsible person, in case you get lost.

Walkers should take extreme care when walking beside this river, as the rocks are very wet and slippery, and there are numerous deep potholes to avoid. It is also necessary to cross the river on several occasions. Putting an old spare pair of woollen socks over your tramping boots provides a better grip over the slippery wet rock. Leave the river bed via the right hand bank just before the road bridge. This is the site of the carpark.

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.