hiking – Whatnz.com

Hey guys, it has been a busy couple of months, had a bit of the flu and it’s been a pretty cold winter have managed to get out for a few hikes in preparation for the Tongariro crossing which we are going on in early November. I’ve put a few videos up on YouTube of the hikes. We took daypacks on the hikes so as to be used to carrying a pack.

Mount Te Aroha

First up was Mount Te Aroha, a very challenging hike, apparently we decided to do the hardest one first, awesome walk, with some climbing parts, well worth the reward of reaching the top with great views. Took just under 4 hours, approx. 12km there and back. Take some lunch to have up the top and plenty to drink. From up the top you can see all the way to the sea and Mt Maunganui, we couldn’t see much the other way because of cloud cover except the peak of Mt Pirongia.

Wairere Falls

Next up was Wairere Falls, a much easier walk, but still a good challenge with great views up the top. Good car park, with facilities. very enjoyable Took approx. 2 hours, 8.5km up and back. Mostly native bush and outlook over farmland, the trail is fairly well maintained, plenty of stairs.

Hakarimata

Next up was planned to be Kakepuku near Te Awamutu, unfortunately the day picked ended up being quite wet and miserable, and the track we had heard would be quite muddy, so it was decided that we would walk up the Hakarimata steps to the summit and down the loop track instead. As this walk was fairly close, it was easy to get to. 1350 stairs going up, and then the loop track had a bunch more. Hard work going up the stairs which took around 50 minutes from the carpark, nearly 3km up, and then another 6 or so km around the loop track which was another hour and a half, some good views up top and great scenery mostly native bush, but there is an old dam, and a few benches to stop at and look out over Ngarawahia towards Hamilton, quite a popular walk, we saw plenty of people going up and down the track. 2 hours 40 total and 9.75kms all up.