Summit Track

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Analysis

3 Rankers Reviews

0 Face-to-Face

2 Huntly

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Huntly, Waikato

Camping near Huntly

Photos

nathan smith

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nathan smith

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Information

4 km return | 3 hours return (generous)

The Hakarimata Reserve now covers over 1800 hectares with kauri, rimu and tawa in the forest. This is the highest viewpoint around and beest done early or late, when the Waikato River glistens like a silver thread.

Walking Track

Access

There is a parking area at Brownlee Avenue, where there are also toilets.

Track

Follow the Water Works Walk and just before the dam head right.

There now begins the journey of a 1000 steps - more in fact - 1349 according to the DoC brochure. The steady climb is punctuated with occasional inspirational quotes. For example “sweat is just fat crying”.

Occasional peeps out are not as impressive as the summit. At 374m, it is not high, but commands extensive views over the Waikato to Maungatautari.

Polynesian History

The name Hakarimata was conferred when a huge feast was prepared for guests ‘hakari kai mata’.

The tomokanga was unveiled in 2016 as a joint venture between DoC, Waikato District Council, Ngaruawahia Community Board and Waikato Tainui. It was carved by Master Carver Inia Te Wiata and depicts important tribal stories and histories.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Waikato

Central government organisation

Location

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Huntly

Categories

Walking
Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-37.6629475000735

175.141850614548

Latitude
-37.6629475000735
Longitude
175.141850614548

Feature	Value	Info
Track Length	3km to 10km Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 3km to 10km	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 3km to 10km
Track Duration	2 to 4 hours Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 2 to 4 hours 3 hours return	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 2 to 4 hours 3 hours return
Track Difficulty	Moderate walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Moderate walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Moderate walk
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.
Large Vehicle Access	Large vehicle accessible Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
DOC Track Category	Walking track DOC Track Category What type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Walking track Easy to moderate walking from a few minutes to a day. Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy. Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities. Clearly signposted. Stream and river crossings are bridged. Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots required.	DOC Track Category What type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Walking track Easy to moderate walking from a few minutes to a day. Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy. Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities. Clearly signposted. Stream and river crossings are bridged. Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots required.
Disabled Access	No disabled access Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.	Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.
Crowd Factor	Some people Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Some people This place usually draws a average amount of people. You won’t have difficulties to move along, but you won’t have this place to yourself, either. mostly locals	Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Some people This place usually draws a average amount of people. You won’t have difficulties to move along, but you won’t have this place to yourself, either. mostly locals
Track Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.

Nearby

Waikato ▷ Huntly

Kauri Loop Track
Waikato ▷ Huntly

Water Works Walk
Waikato ▷ Cambridge

Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust
Waikato ▷ Cambridge

Yarndley’s Bush
Waikato ▷ Cambridge

Maungatautari Peak
Waikato ▷ Hamilton

Waikato River Walkway
Waikato ▷ Matamata

Wairere Falls Track
Waikato ▷ Otorohanga

Kakepuku Track
Waikato ▷ Otorohanga

Mangakara Nature Walk

Reviews

Rating	Count
10/10	1	33%
9/10	0	0%
8/10	1	33%
7/10	1	33%
6/10	0	0%
5/10	0	0%
4/10	0	0%
3/10	0	0%
2/10	0	0%
1/10	0	0%

3.5/5

Awesome views from the top but lots of stairs and many people.

Reviewed over 5 years ago

Rocket
5.0/5

requires good level of fitness but if you go just before sunset (take a headlight) on the way back down there’s sooo many glow worms it’s magic!!!

Reviewed about 6 years ago

Lauren Freeman
4.0/5

nice walk, but more of a climb, a very large amount of steps, great lookout point at top, can look over the waikato, firth of thames, coromandel ranges, out to the westcoat and even see mt Ruapehu on a
very clear crisp day

Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in January 2013

N smith

Summit Track

Summit Track

Hakarimata Scenic Reserve, Ngaruawahia

Your Nature Guide

Nau mai, haere mai

Nau mai, haere mai

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Information

Summit Track

Walking Track

Access

Track

Polynesian History

Details

DOC Waikato

Track Length

Track Length

Track Duration

Track Duration

Track Difficulty

Track Difficulty

Payment Requirement

Payment Requirement

Large Vehicle Access

Large Vehicle Access

DOC Track Category

DOC Track Category

Disabled Access

Disabled Access

Crowd Factor

Crowd Factor

Track Managing Organisation

Track Managing Organisation

Nearby

Reviews