The Karangahake Gorge is a lovely day trip or the perfect place to stop if you're travelling between Auckland and Tauranga. This area is packed with walking trails, waterfalls, and native bush. It has a long gold mining history, which means there's always something to see and so many nooks and crannies to explore!!

The first gold was mined here in 1875, and by 1909, it made up around 55% of Aotearoa's total gold production. You can still see a lot of this history around the gorge, and as you wander around, you’ll come across tunnels and old railway tracks left behind from the gold mining days.

You'll likely see some cyclists as you travel through the gorge. If you're looking out of your car window, wistfully wishing you could join them, you should look into biking the Hauraki Rail Trail! This 197km cycle track runs through the gorge on day five. I haven't done it myself,** but my parents have, and they loved it!!

The best walking tracks in the Karangahake Gorge

Some I've included on my map, others aren't there just yet (but will be!). I've done all of them :)

1. Rail Tunnel Loop (1.5 hours round trip)
   This is one of the most popular walks in the gorge. It’s a relatively flat trail along the Ohinemuri River, featuring a one-kilometre-long tunnel that is also part of the Hauraki Rail Trail.

2. Windows Walk (1 hour round trip)
   Kids love this track. As you walk here, you’ll see many windows blasted through the gold mining tunnels, which give you incredible views over the Waitewheta River. If you turn off your torches in the darkest parts of the tunnels, you may be lucky enough to spot some glowworms.

3. Crown Track to Dickey’s Flat (3 hours return)
   This scenic track features river views, waterfalls, and more tunnels. Dickey’s Flat campsite makes a great picnic spot, and the DOC campsite is the perfect place to camp for the night if you want to stay in the gorge longer ($15 per night)

4. Karangahake Historic Walkway (4 hours return)
   This route winds past Owharoa Falls, the Waikino Hotel, and the Victoria Battery gold refinery before reaching the Waikino Station Café. The cafe is a lovely place to stop for lunch before returning to the carpark.

5. Karangahake Mountain (4 hours return)
   For a challenge, hike to the summit for stunning views. You can do this as a loop track; going clockwise is recommended. The track gets steep and exposed, so I recommend having a reasonable fitness level and wearing good shoes.

**The last time I was on a bike, I used my face as a brake, which caused a traffic jam in Amsterdam. Safe to say, I haven't been back on one since. But I'm trying to pick up some new hobbies, so 2025 might be the year I regain my pride :')