Waitonga Falls Walk Trailhead — Attraction in North Island

You can walk this track in all seasons. The bridge at the beginning of the track is beautiful after a winter snowfall. Just across the bridge is a mountain cedar (Libocedrus bidwillii, Kaikawaka) with its trunk formed like an abstract Henry Moore sculpture. The vegetation is very varied just beyond here. Ten minutes along, steps take you up around a dripping rocky cliff. Beautiful icicles hang from the cliff in mid-winter. Just past the steps a botanical missing link is growing in abundance beside the track. This is a moss with conducting tissue, the 15cm high Polytrichum. After another five-minute climb, the track levels out, and along here after a snowfall I once saw magical fairy ribbons hung across the track, rows of snowflakes suspended in midair on invisible spider web threads. If a cold wind is blowing, you now need to zip up your warm gear to cross the heath on the boardwalk, but if it is fine, sit on the seat halfway along the boardwalk and enjoy the view of Mt Ruapehu. Back into the forest again, now much gloomier and mostly stunted mountain "beech" (Fuscospora cliffortioides), the track descends to the foot of the waterfall. The waterfall is on your left, but if you later go rock-hopping 50 metres further downstream the stream bed widens out and becomes sunnier, flatter and drier, with a big flat rock a great place for a picnic. If you have more time and more energy for exploring, the track does go on further past the falls. Cross the river, climb the steps up the far bank, take the left fork at the top of the ridge, and 30 minutes later you will be at Blyth Hut with a great view. Or take the right fork gently descending an easy boardwalk that goes on forever, and 30 minutes will get you to the vertiginous swingbridge across the...

The track was easily accessible from a carpark next to the road. The path was well formed, & in most places, well kept. The walk ascends to a high boggy plateau, which is crossed by a boardwalk. There are spectacular views of both the mountain & plain. We went further on to discover a beautiful waterfall. Because the way is quite steep, there are alot of steps, most of which are well maintained, BUT there are a few places where the bottom step is knee-high because of wear & wash-out. Most of the way is in beautiful bush, & so is fairly sheltered. However, at the top it is very exposed, & so warm - or at least windproof clothing are a good idea. Our party had a sight impaired 75 year old, who with a little help had no problem...

This is a lovely walk. Slightly challenging with the gradient and the stairs but nothing a 5 minute rest didn't fix. The view of the mountain from the boardwalk is well worth the effort. The Falls were nice. If the water was lower I would have ventured across the stream for a better look on the other side, the more nimble would have managed this easily as it was. The tracks, paths and stairs are in excellent condition. Child friendly for probably 5-6yrs plus (if you don't want to carry them). I would like to come back in winter when there is some snow...