Karangahake gorge
Karangahake gorge things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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I recently had the pleasure of embarking on this serene walk, and I must say, it was an absolute delight! The entire trail was beautifully shaded, providing a tranquil escape from the sun. The walk itself was increibly easy, well-maintained path made it accessible for walkers of all ages and abilities. The scenery was stunning, with lush greenery and flowing water surrounding me every step of the way. What truly made this walk stand out, however, was the sense of peace and calm that pervaded the entire experience. The shaded areas provided a cooling respite from the heat, and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze created a soothing melody that seemed to wash away all my worries. One tip for fellow walkers: consider bringing a flashlight. Some sections of the trail can get quite dark, and a flashlight will help you navigate safely. Whether you're a nature lover, a casual walker, or simply looking for a relaxing escape, this walk is an absolute must-do. So take a deep breath, lace up your walking shoes, and indulge in the serene beauty of this shaded oasis – you won't regret it!
Sarey (Artto)Sarey (Artto)
10
Discover Karangahake Gorge: A Trekker’s Delight Karangahake Gorge is a beautiful trekking place for both young and old, offering plenty of parking. While it can get crowded during holidays, quick turnover makes it manageable. Embark on a family adventure with the tunnel trek, where you’ll be immersed in green, red, and orange hues and a mystical dim light. Once out of the tunnel, follow the path along the water beside the rock formations. Keep moving to avoid potential rockfalls, especially on rainy and windy days. The jagged rocks remind you of the Jurassic times, and the smaller wild waterfalls evoke the wild jungle scenes from The Jungle Book and Mowgli. This walk typically takes 1-2 hours, but take your time to enjoy the history and beauty. Bring snacks and drinks, make lasting memories, and let nature nurture your mind, heal your soul, inspire you, strengthen your being, and give hope to those in need. This natural wonder has stood for millions of years and will continue to do so for many more. Enjoy! 🌿 NHISH (Nurture - Heal - Inspire - Strengthen - Hope)
Isabell StubbeIsabell Stubbe
00
A great network of tracks around the gorge make it great for exploring and fun. Everything from an easy stroll to the gateway for multi day tramps. There are two must do tracks that both don't take too long. The main rail tunnel is the star of the show, only a short walk from the main carpark, and a long, dark, exciting remnant of the gold rail industry. The second is the windows walk, which isn't too long either (less than an hour return, with time for exploration and photos), and has a huge amount of tunnels and artifacts which are fantastic fun to explore through. There is also a path that heads back towards Waihi, going through Owharoa falls, and Waikino station. This trail is a good quality cycle trail, and as a result is very wide, flat, and unadventurous. We didn't find it very exciting for walking, but I'd imagine it'd be great for cycling. It also forms part of the Hauraki Cycle Trail.
Luca van GorkomLuca van Gorkom
00
Lush green forests with plenty of walks and a rich history of gold mining, railways etc. We visited Karangahake Gorge during Christmas and New Year eve of 2020. We decided to walk from the car park to Owharoa Falls, which took us through a 1 km long tunnel (previously used by railway in the gold mining era), after which the walk is where the train tracks would have been. After spending some time at the Owharoa Falls, we returned the same way - except that we took the Windows Walk instead of taking the rail tunnel. It was an excellent day out, popular with families - both walking as well as on push-bikes. The gorge offers many other walks, of different durations and needing varying degree of fitness. A great day out - whether you are alone, a family or part of a big group!
Shirish ParanjapeShirish Paranjape
00
👍🏼 Please like my review! I would highly recommend to my friends and family traveling on State Highway 2 to see the Karangahake Gorge once in their life. We were traveling from Auckland to Tauranga and were excited to see this gorge. Unexpectedly, the parking was very difficult and it was more difficult since it was on the day after New Year's! To avoid taking a risk of getting our car ticketed, towed, or even damaged by other vehicles, we found an opening down the road to park our car. Once we got there, the track (or trail in United States) was very easy to walk on and family friendly. We only went up to the peak inside the cave before it started to track downward. Learned a LOT of history along the way but also appreciated the beautiful environment all around!
John Huân VũJohn Huân Vũ
10
A really nice area with multiple walks to choose from for any fitness level. Went through the Karangahake tunnel and Window Walk - both requires a light/flashlight. Recommend to wear sneakers even for the easy/casual walks as the ground can be uneven. Hiking shoes especially for the rougher terrain/harder walks. Definitely recommend some water, especially on a sunny day as shade is not present on all trails. 2 carparks available, one with a toilet nearby and one only 400-500m down the road. Currently the Windows Walk is blocked halfway, but it was an enjoyable walk nonetheless with multiple informative historic plaques along the way. Definitely a place to stop and explore. Also very dog friendly, lots of dogs there!
Jina HongJina Hong
30
Nearby Attractions Of Karangahake gorge
Karangahake Windows Walk
The Crown Mines
Karangahake Tunnel

Karangahake Windows Walk
4.6
(115)Click for details

The Crown Mines
4.8
(102)Click for details

Karangahake Tunnel
4.9
(38)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
State Highway 2, Karangahake 3674, New Zealand
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Website
thecoromandel.com
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Reviews
Overview
4.7
(1.9K reviews)
Ratings & Description
outdoor
adventure
family friendly
Description
The Karangahake Gorge lies between the Coromandel and Kaimai ranges, at the southern end of the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand's North Island. A sharply winding canyon, it was formed by the Ohinemuri River. State Highway 2 passes through this gorge between the towns of Paeroa, Waikino and Waihi.
attractions: Karangahake Windows Walk, The Crown Mines, Karangahake Tunnel, restaurants:

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