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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: -37.26725, 175.75260. 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
- Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time
- 3 hr one way
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Coromandel 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
This well marked track gives lovely views across Maratoto and you can see remnants of the old telephone line.
This DOC directory entry covers Maratoto: Wires Track in Waikato, within Coromandel 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: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time: 3 hr one way
- 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.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
The Wires Track is named after the telephone line which used to run through the Maratoto. Remnants of these old telephone poles can be seen along the track, as can the fence from an old cattle holding pen.
The track is well marked and gives lovely views across Maratoto. It's steep in places.
The track finishes where it meets the Maratoto Track.
To return to the carpark, go back the same way or loop back via the Maratoto Track. The Maratoto Track takes less than two hours.
Experienced trampers can continue on to cross the main range (Maratoto - Wentworth Crossing).
Getting there
Just south of Hikutaia, turn off SH26 onto Maratoto Road. After 6 km, turn off into Wires Road. The track is signposted off Wires Road 500 m before the gate and carpark.
Know before you go
The first section of the track is through private land so follow the marker poles.
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.
