Kauaeranga Kauri Walk (Pinnacles Walk), Thames

Beautiful sweeping views, fascinating history and extraordinary native forest.

Where is it?

In the Kauaeranga Valley, 13km east of Thames.

Terrain

Bush tracks, rock steps, swing bridges, ladders.

Good to know

The Kauaeranga Visitor Centre is an excellent place to find information on track conditions, watch an audio visual display and visit the built-to-scale model of a kauri dam.

1-2 days

Good fitness level required

Challenging walk

No dogs

TRACK OVERVIEW

From the 1870s to the 1920s, this peaceful forest echoed with the sound of intense milling, as regal kauri giants were felled for the growing nation. Todayvisitors can follow the old packhorse tracks that took supplies to the loggers. Walking through bush canopy and regenerating forest, hikers will see giant stumps, remnants from impressive kauri dams and tramlines, while the views from the towering Pinnacles (759m) are the highlight of the trail. You will need to put in some serious effort but the reward will be stunning views across The Coromandel and out to the east coast. Choose between walking there and back on the Webb Creek Track (6-8hr return) or take the Billy Goat Track (8-10hr) and make a loop. This ruggedly spectacular walk is one of the country’s most popular overnight adventures.

Castle Rock © Adobe Stock

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