The falls are an easy 10-minute walk through native bush from the carpark to the top lookout. You can turn around and go back to your car from here or carry on to the bottom of the waterfall.

It took us around 20 minutes to get to the bottom of the falls and a bit longer on the way back up with 300 steps to the top again! The water plunges 55 m down into soft sandstone.

Rather disappointingly, no, you can’t swim at the base of the waterfall. The water quality is really bad and not good at all, best be safe and not swim here. 

SAVE 40% on last-minute tour tickets on: Raglan Harbour Sunset Cruise – 1.5 Hours

  • Location: Raglan, North Island, New Zealand
  • Distance: 1.5 km return
  • Time needed: 20 minutes one way 
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Wheelchair and Buggie Access: Yes –  to the top of the falls and the lookout
  • Route: Double back
  • Elevation: 200m
  • Wet Feet: No
  • Toilets: The car park has basic facilities including long-drop toilets
  • Dogs: No
  • Mobile Coverage: No
Bridal Veil Falls Raglan

For a weekend drive from Hamilton this is the place to go, the car park is small but sealed so no dirty shoes.

For wheelchairs, you can go to the viewing platform. Walking back up to the car park is a challenge from the bottom, I counted 300 steps, give or take a couple to climb but the strong handrail will help.

On a very strong windy day take a raincoat with you if you are walking to the bottom of the falls, the drift from the falls is like rain.

See more of my Raglan walks