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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: -41.15001, 172.19702. 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
- 1 hr 30 min loop
- Track grade
- Easiest
- Location
- Kahurangi National Park / Karamea area
- 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
Enjoy a beautiful limestone arch and spectacular rainforest reflections on a short walk that kids will love.
This DOC directory entry covers Ōpārara Basin: Moria Gate and Mirror Tarn Loop in Tasman, within Kahurangi National Park / Karamea 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: 1 hr 30 min loop
- DOC grade: Easiest
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 main Ōpārara car park, walk through original old-growth rain forest, featuring kahikatea, rimu and moss-covered trees.
Follow the track to beautiful Moria Gate Arch, named in 1984 after the gate in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is worthwhile going underneath the arch via a short side track to view the naturally sculptured limestone and maybe spot a native blue duck/whio feeding in the whiskycoloured waters of the Ōpārara River.
The track continues over the arch, highlighted by the paving stones embossed with the footprint of the extinct moa who once walked here. Continue past the turn-off to the Ōpārara Valley Track, after a final glimpse of the Moria Gate Arch.
Along the track look out for bush robins/kakaruai, weka and, if you are lucky, kākā. Take care to avoid the giant land snails (powelliphanta) that sometimes cross the track.
At Mirror Tarn you’ll find spectacular reflections of the surrounding rainforest. Further along, the track meets the Mirror Tarn car park and it is a short walk along the road back to the Ōpārara car park.
Getting there
The walk start on McCallums Mill Road, north of Karamea. From Karamea, head north for about 10 km, then turn into McCallums Mill Road and follow this for about 13 km to the Ōparara car park.
Note, McCallums Mill Road is a narrow and steep gravel road. It is not suitable for large vehicles or campervans.
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 published in DOC's official route gallery with an explicit reuse licence. Its original caption and credit are retained; it does not establish current track conditions.
