About | Karangahake Gorge
The Karangahake Gorge is something you have to check out if you’re passing through. There are several walking and biking tracks in the area but the most popular would have to be the Windows Walk. The walk goes through old mining areas and next to the amazing gorge. It’s simply breathtaking and one of my favourite walks. The Rail Tunnel Loop is a 1.5-hour loop and pretty fantastic as well, it takes you along the beautiful river’s edge, past the remains of 19th-century mine buildings and through a kilometre-long rail tunnel.
There are also longer walks, one taking you to the summit of Karangahake Mountain and another taking you to a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole (by the Dickey Flat Campsite).
Download the Karangahake Gorge brochure.
This is also a Kiwi Guardians walk so don’t forget to bring your map!
Facilities: there are toilets by the carpark.
Map
Nearby
Waikino Station Cafe (and train rides)
Location
You’ll find a great parking area on the side of the State Highway.
Photos
When we came to the Karangahake Gorge it was a brilliant day, we had our torches in hand and decided to do the 1.5-hour Windows Walk loop.
The track goes along the gorge and it’s absolutely spectacular.
The kids loved every bit of the Windows Walk, and brought out their torches to inspect every chance they got.
From the cliff face, you can see the ‘windows’ along the underground tunnel. How fascinating!
At the entrance of the tunnel, the kids get their torches ready. It’s dark inside! We venture inside and fortunately, there are little pockets of light, or ‘windows’, along the way.
The tramline goes throughout the tunnel. Along the tunnel, there is another that connects to it and ventures off, deeper into the mountain. This one isn’t gated off so we walk along it, it gets darker the deeper we go in and the ground is wet, wetting our shoes. Don’t know how long it goes because it was getting way too scary in there but always wondered! Imagine working in there everyday. Eek!
Looking through the windows of light and look how beautiful it is! Wow!
Before we end the walk, the ranger tells us to have a look in the river for trout so we have a little look. Didn’t see any from the rocks but as we passed the bridge, we spotted two!
