Te Karaka – the grove of Karaka Trees. Te Maunu, a high-born chief of Ngāti Maru, resided here and owned extensive cultivations in the area of Karaka Track in the 1800s.

This track is accessible from town, up Karaka Rd just behind the Hospital. You’ll see the DoC car park. Head up the track that follows the stream, where Karaka trees still line the path. The area was mined extensively in the 1870s and this track follows an old packhorse track with beautiful views overlooking Karaka stream, passing several old goldmines before joining with Waiotahi Track or continuing onto Crosbies Hut.

You can also mountain bike approximately 4.5 km up this track to the stunning Red Cliffs, rocks that are tinged orange by lichen. Amazing views can be had looking up the Kauaeranga Valley towards Table Mountain and The Pinnacles.

The mountain bike trail ceases after Red Cliffs, but if you walk another 10 minutes you get to a junction with the Waiotahi Track where you can continue inland to Crosbies Hut, or loop back down the Waiotahi Track and into Thames.

Karaka Track Location

To find this track, turn from SH25 into Mary St towards the Hospital. Continue past the hospital turn left into Karaka Road and follow that for a few hundred metres to the track entrance. To do the Waiotahi Track to Karaka loop, park your car at the Karaka trailhead and walk through Thames, up Waiotahi Road to the start of Waiotahi Track. This is an easier incline on a better track, before returning down the more rugged Karaka Track. Not far from the start/end, just off the track, is a refreshing swimming hole to wash the sweat away.

Info

5 hr one way
12.9 km
Advanced

5 hrs /12.9 km one way to Crosbies Hut
2.5 hrs / 6.6 km to Waiotahi Track junction.
5 hrs/16 km loop with Waiotahi Track

Contact

Kauaeranga Visitor Centre