Tree Trunk Gorge tracks: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Walk or mountain bike through the Kaimanawa Forest Park taking in two spectacular gorges, and the characteristic beech and kamahi forest.

This DOC directory entry covers Tree Trunk Gorge tracks in Central North Island, within Kaimanawa 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: 1 hr 30 min
• 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 only. Contact closest DOC office to get a permit. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Tree Trunk Gorge Track

Time (one way): 1 hr 30 min walk; 1 hr mountain bikeDistance: 5 km

This track can be accessed from either the Urchin Campsite off Kaimanawa Road or from Tree Trunk Gorge Road. Either way it is generally well graded as it follows the line of an old road associated with the Tongariro Power Scheme.

Red beech surrounds the track for most of the way but close to the Tree Trunk Gorge end an open ridge provides good views out to Tongariro National Park.

This is a tramping track: there are several small streams to cross, and one larger one 15 minutes from the southern exit/entrance. Most are fairly easy to negotiate unless there has been recent heavy rain.

Popular mountain bike option: Tree Trunk Gorge - SH1 Loop Track

Time: 2 - 4 hr mountain bikeDistance: 17 km

This route is fairly well graded and can be ridden in either direction but is described here from the Tree Trunk Gorge road end. The first downhill can be slippery and at the bottom of the descent is a small river which can become impassable after rain but is generally rideable.

Carry on along the track to the Urchin Campsite, then follow the Urchin to Pillars of Hercules Track to reach the Pillars of Hercules suspension bridge. Cross the bridge and then take the well graded 4WD track out to SH1 (about 25 to 40 minutes).

From here it is a 2.5 km cycle up the highway, and another 4.5 km down Tree Trunk Gorge Road to the starting point.

Note: If you are not comfortable riding along the highway; organise a shuttle from Kaimanwa Road, or return to Tree Trunk Gorge Road via the same track once you reach the Pillars of Hercules.

Getting there

Tree Trunk Gorge Road is 23 km south of Tūrangi.

Know before you go

Walking, mountain biking and hunting are all popular in this area, be aware and considerate of other user groups.

These are shared-use tracks. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect 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.