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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: -37.60509, 175.84405. 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
- 11.9 km one way
- Walking time
- 5 hr
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Kaimai Mamaku Conservation 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 is an east-west crossing of the Kaimai Ranges used since the 1890s linking Katikati and Te Aroha. It can be walked in either direction.
This DOC directory entry covers Tuahu Track in Bay of Plenty, within Kaimai Mamaku Conservation 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: 11.9 km one way
- Walking time: 5 hr
- 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.
- Northern Kaimai track closures; First published on 22 January 2026. Last reviewed on 1 October 2026.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
Start at the end of Hot Springs Road, off SH2 and follow the marked track. A ten minute detour will take you to the Tuahu Kauri, a mature stand of kauri trees. The Tuahu Track continues up for 15 mins to cross the Te Rereatukahia Stream before climbing on moderate grade, sidling in and out of gullies for a further hour before meeting the North South Track at the summit.
Past the sumit the track sidles around the steep western escarpment of the Kaimai Range offering many views over the Waikato. Also visible are the Killarney Lakes below.
The track descends gradually until it meets the Waihou Valley Pine Forest, leaving the Forest Park. The track leaves the bridle track and follows access roads through private forestry for one hour to Wairakau Road.
Getting there
Located within the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park, this track begins at the end of Hot Springs Road, just south of Katikati off SH2.
Know before you go
Consult a topographic map.
There is a river crossing on this track.
No mountain biking
Mountain biking is not allowed on this track.
Find places where you can mountain bike.
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.
