Moss Creek Track
Moss Creek Track is a challenging but rewarding climb to Moss Creek Campsite – and yes, it’s very green and mossy!
Moss Creek Track starts along the Kauaeranga Kauri Track, from Trestle View Campsite, then forks left up Moss Creek and up towards Table Mountain and Mt Rowe. A steep and boggy trail heads up to the Moss Creek campsite and old dam site. At the campsite, continue on further by heading up to Mt Rowe.
The track is steep as you ascend the valley, is not very well maintained and is swampy and boggy up the top with varying degrees of boardwalks in places. It can be hard going for the inexperienced.
The suspension bridge over the Kauaeranga River on the Moss Creek Track was been removed due to structural damage in 2021.
The track is still open, but the river can flood so the crossing is weather-dependent. There is no alternative route. This is one walk to avoid in wet weather, or if it has recently been raining (as the river may still be high, and the ground will be muddy).
Māori stories report the presence of tuna (eels), kōkopu (freshwater fish) and kōura (freshwater crayfish), in the swamps, but the inhospitable terrain held no attraction.
In centuries past, the area of Table Mountain was that of a lake, which may explain the flat, swampy nature of the landscape at the top.
For Māori, Table Mountain is named Te Kōhatu-whakairi-a-Ngātoroirangi – ‘the up-raised rock of Ngātoroirangi’. Ngātoroirangi was the priestly navigator on the Arawa waka, and set a stone in the ranges as a sign for all to see.
A few decades ago you could continue past the campsite, up across Te Kōhatu-whakairi-a-Ngātoroirangi and back down to the Wainora/Cookson Kauri Track – but this track is no longer maintained.
Moss Creek Track Location
To reach Moss Creek Track from SH25 at the southern entrance to Thames, turn right into Banks Street beside the service station. Banks Street veers right into Parawai Road, which then becomes Kauaeranga Valley Road.
Follow this for 13 km to the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre. This takes approximately 20 minutes. The road continues unsealed a further 9 km to the road end, near Trestle View Campsite – about another 15 minutes driving. This is where the track starts.
Track Info
3 hrs
3.3 km
Advanced
No dogs
Contact
Phone Number: +64 7 867 9080
Email: kauaerangavc@doc.govt.nz
Website:
Moss Creek Track
Moss Creek Track is a challenging but rewarding climb to Moss Creek Campsite – and yes, it’s very green and mossy!
Moss Creek Track starts along the Kauaeranga Kauri Track, from Trestle View Campsite, then forks left up Moss Creek and up towards Table Mountain and Mt Rowe. A steep and boggy trail heads up to the Moss Creek campsite and old dam site. At the campsite, continue on further by heading up to Mt Rowe.
The track is steep as you ascend the valley, is not very well maintained and is swampy and boggy up the top with varying degrees of boardwalks in places. It can be hard going for the inexperienced.
The suspension bridge over the Kauaeranga River on the Moss Creek Track was been removed due to structural damage in 2021.
The track is still open, but the river can flood so the crossing is weather-dependent. There is no alternative route. This is one walk to avoid in wet weather, or if it has recently been raining (as the river may still be high, and the ground will be muddy).
Māori stories report the presence of tuna (eels), kōkopu (freshwater fish) and kōura (freshwater crayfish), in the swamps, but the inhospitable terrain held no attraction.
In centuries past, the area of Table Mountain was that of a lake, which may explain the flat, swampy nature of the landscape at the top.
For Māori, Table Mountain is named Te Kōhatu-whakairi-a-Ngātoroirangi – ‘the up-raised rock of Ngātoroirangi’. Ngātoroirangi was the priestly navigator on the Arawa waka, and set a stone in the ranges as a sign for all to see.
A few decades ago you could continue past the campsite, up across Te Kōhatu-whakairi-a-Ngātoroirangi and back down to the Wainora/Cookson Kauri Track – but this track is no longer maintained.
Moss Creek Track Location
To reach Moss Creek Track from SH25 at the southern entrance to Thames, turn right into Banks Street beside the service station. Banks Street veers right into Parawai Road, which then becomes Kauaeranga Valley Road.
Follow this for 13 km to the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre. This takes approximately 20 minutes. The road continues unsealed a further 9 km to the road end, near Trestle View Campsite – about another 15 minutes driving. This is where the track starts.
Track Info
3 hrs
3.3 km
Advanced
No dogs
Contact
Phone Number: +64 7 867 9080
Email: kauaerangavc@doc.govt.nz
Website:
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