- Follows the old Waitawheta Tramway beside the Waitawheta River before climbing to the Mangakino Track
- 9 km loop, about 4 hours, easy walking on a well formed track the whole way
- Overnight at Daly’s Clearing Hut, 16 bunks, first come first served, no booking
- Old rail spikes still poke up out of the tramway sleepers, watch your footing
- Crosses private farmland near the start, so dogs and mountain bikes are not permitted
Quick facts
| Location | Near Waikino and Waihi, Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park |
| Distance | 9 km |
| Time needed | 4 hours |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Route | Loop |
| Elevation gain | 326 m |
| Mountain biking | Not permitted |
| Dogs | Not permitted |
| Wet feet | No |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Mobile coverage | Can be very patchy |
Getting there
The track starts from the end of Franklin Road, off Waitawheta Road from SH2 near Waikino. The first stretch crosses private farmland, so take care and stick to the marked route, DOC asks visitors to respect that this is private property.
The walk
After a coffee and cake in Waihi, this is an easy walk up the Waitawheta Stream to the turn off to Daly’s Clearing Hut. There is a car park at the start, take five minutes to read the three information boards on the area.
From the car park you walk to the end of the road and jump the fence. From there it is just a matter of following the orange markers down the farm track and along the pleasant Waitawheta Stream. We jumped another fence and walked into the bush at around 30 minutes from the end of the road. Just inside the bush there is another information board worth reading.
Back on the track again, this is not really a track but the old Waitawheta tramway. Watch where you are walking, the steel railway spikes still stick up out of the native timber sleepers by about 20mm, just the right height to trip you up and land you on another rusty spike. This section is so enjoyable it is easy to walk straight past the turn off to Daly’s Clearing.
Daly’s Clearing Hut
From the turn off, it takes about 30 minutes to reach Daly’s Clearing Hut. There is a short steep climb up a few steps made from half round posts, then a small creek to step over before the hut comes into view. Daly’s Clearing Hut is clean and tidy, a genuinely nice place to spend the night. There are 16 bunks and no booking is needed, it is first come, first served.
Mangakino Track
From Daly’s Hut, turn left and walk across the clearing to pick up the track leading to the Mangakino Track. This short 600m stretch cuts through very wet, dark second growth bush. It is a bit of a surprise to walk out onto the old six foot miners track, wide enough to ride a mountain bike along, though biking is not permitted on this loop. The Mangakino Track itself runs from Karangahake Gorge through to Mt Te Aroha, a full two day tramp for anyone keen on something longer.
The Mangakino Track is easy to follow and mostly downhill from here. It takes about 40 minutes to reach the turn off to Dean’s Track, where the loop heads back down towards the farmland.
Back through the farm
An easy downhill walk brings you out onto the farmland again. From there, just follow the markers back to the car. Watch for the electric fence along the way, and expect to share the paddocks with the local Jersey dairy herd.
What you’ll see
The Waitawheta River valley is full of history. Along the way there are rock formations and high bluffs in narrow river gorges, native bush, side creeks, and open farmland with grazing Jersey cows. The Kaimai Range was once rich in kauri, and the old tramway you walk along was built to bring the giant logs out of the valley. When gold was found in the Waihi and Coromandel area, timber became almost as valuable as the gold itself, burned to process ore and used to brace mine tunnels and build water races. The Waitawheta Sawmill started operating in 1923 and laid the tramway up the valley to shift the kauri logs out.
Who it’s for
Anyone wanting an easy overnight at a hut without having to book ahead. It is not the walk for dog owners or mountain bikers, since neither is permitted on this loop, and the farmland crossing means it is best done in decent boots rather than trainers.
When to go
The track is a good option most of the year given the good quality surface, though the stream crossings and farm paddocks can get greasy after heavy rain. There is no reliance on mobile coverage in this park, so check the current rules and let someone know your plans before you head off.
Important stuff
- Dogs are not permitted on the Daly’s Clearing Loop Walk
- Mountain biking is not permitted on this track
- The first section crosses private farmland, take care and respect the property
- Mobile phone coverage is unreliable through Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park, check the current rules and carry a means of raising the alarm if things go wrong
- No fires may be lit anywhere in the park, including at the Daly’s Clearing camping area, without a permit
Common questions
Do I need to book Daly’s Clearing Hut?
No. It is first come, first served with 16 bunks. You pay with a Standard Hut Ticket or Backcountry Hut Pass in the honesty box, check the current DOC fees before you go since prices change from time to time.
Are dogs allowed on the Daly’s Clearing Loop Walk?
No. Dogs are not permitted on this track.
Can I light a fire at Daly’s Clearing?
No, not without a permit. Fires are not allowed anywhere in Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park, including the camping area at the hut, unless you hold a permit.
Is Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park free of kauri dieback?
Yes, an extensive survey confirmed the park is free of the kauri dieback pathogen, making it only the second forest in New Zealand to get that result. It is still worth using any cleaning stations and staying vigilant.
Where does the Daly’s Clearing Loop Walk start?
At the end of Franklin Road, off Waitawheta Road from SH2 near Waikino. The first part crosses private farmland before you reach the Waitawheta Tramway.
My honest take
I really enjoyed this one. The walk up the old Waitawheta tramway is easy going and full of character, though I had to watch where I put my feet, those steel rail spikes sticking up out of the sleepers make a mess of your boots if you catch one. The side track into Daly’s Clearing Hut has a short steep pinch on half round steps, nothing serious, and I was genuinely surprised by how clean and tidy the hut was when we got there. I would happily sleep a night in it.
The Mangakino Track section afterwards is short but properly wet and dark, second growth bush that feels quite different from the open tramway. Popping out onto the old six foot miners track was a nice surprise, it is a proper piece of gold mining era infrastructure. The farm walk back out had us watching for an electric fence and sharing the paddock with a herd of Jersey cows, a good reminder that this whole loop starts and ends on working farmland.
Other walks nearby
See more Waihi Walks.
