Northern Tangihua Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

The Northern Track links up with other tracks in the Tangihua Forest.

This DOC directory entry covers Northern Tangihua Track in Northland, within Tangihua Forest. 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: 2 - 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

Dogs with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes only. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

The Northern Track starts at the intersection of the Te Haua Uru and Main Ridge tracks. It heads north to the Tangihua hut.

If you continue on from the hut, you will reach Tangihua Road, which will take approximately 1.5 hours (landowner permission must be gained).

Getting there

The Northern Track is located in the Tangihua Forest which is found halfway between Whangārei on Northland’s east coast and Dargaville on the west coast.

Access to the Northern Track is via the Te Haua Uru Track or Main Ridge Track. The route to the DOC hut takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours from the junction.

Access into Tangihua Forest is from Omana Road. The Omana Road Tangihua access car park has parking for 15 cars. You will need to walk 30 minutes along a formed road to the bush line. From here, it is another 15 minutes until you reach Tangihua Lions Lodge, a good orientation point for tracks and walks in the forest.

The land between Tangihua Forest and Tangihua Road is private land. You must get permission to cross over private land. Contact 0800 ASK DOC (0800 275 362) to get the landowner's details. No dogs or firearms are allowed on this private property.

Know before you go

Be prepared

• Trampers should have a high degree of skill and experience, route-finding ability, be well equipped and use topographical maps.

• There is no water source in the forest. You must carry your own water.

• Watch where you are going at all times. There are steep drops in places.

• The ridge is exposed to rough weather. Make sure you are well equipped and have appropriate warm and waterproof tramping gear.

• Strenuous climbing required in places.

• Stay on the marked tracks.

River crossings

There are unbridged river crossings. Do not attempt to cross in flood conditions.

Wasps

There may be wasps and wasp nests in the area.

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.