In February 2009 the New Zealand government was going to invest $50 million and co-funding of around $30 million to build a 2,500Km Rail Trail down the center of NZ

Quick Facts about this walk

  • Location: North Island NZ
  • Distance: 14 kms
  • Time needed: 2 Hours
  • Difficulty: Very Easy
  • Wheelchair Access: No
  • Route: One Way
  • Elevation: 75m
  • Wet Feet: No
  • Toilets: Yes
  • Dogs: No
  • Mobile Coverage: Yes
  • Last Updated: November, 2019

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Summary points about this walk

Walk Highlights

You are riding through what was the old Crown Battery built in 1893. The Karangahake Gorge is full of gold mining history and the 1086Mt Karangahake Rail tunnel

Track Quality

Out of the three sections on the Hauraki Rail Trail this was the most interesting section of the three. The two metre fast track is lightly gravelled and extremely flat, bar one small hill.

Hazards

You might need a torch to ride through the 1086Mt tunnel, just in case the lights in the Karangahake Rail Trail are out.

Transport

Unknown

Water

No

Driving Instructions

Unknown

Shops & Restaurants Nearby

Paeroa is your best place to top up with food etc. The Waikino Train Station has a coffee shop.

Area & Trail History

In February 2009 the New Zealand government was going to invest $50 million and co-funding of around $30 million to build a 2,500Km New Zealand Cycle it would consist of 18 Great NZ Rides and many smaller rides all link together. The New Zealand Cycle Trail will take you through stunning native bush along rugged coast line, past beautiful lakes and stunning mountains via old historic 1880 gold mining and logging track, coach roads and the abandon rail ways lines by summer 2012-2013. The Governments inspiration came from the great Otago Central Rail Trail, 20,000 local and international people walk or Cycle the Otago Central Rail Trail each year and spent $12.3 million.

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Points of interest along the walk​

Cross over the bridge to Hamilton
The Ohinemuri River Again
Turn left now.

Point 1: Start of Karangahake Rail Trail

If you are going to have lunch in Paeroa it is easier to peddle into town, have lunch then keep going till you reach the turn off to Hamilton, cross over the bridge and on to the Karangahake Rail Trail cycle lane You can choose to sticking to the Hauraki rail Trail and go around the back of town.

The second turn off, left
Turn Off At The Bus shelter for the school Kids
Karangahake railway
Ohinemuri River
Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway Gate
Turn off to Karangahake Rail Tunnel

Point 2: Karangahake Rail Tunnel Turnoff

This part was tricky I was not the only one who all most took off back to Te Aroha
10Mt from the end of the bridge, on your right is the Hauraki Rail Trail to Te Aroha.
look 100m ahead. The road on the left is where you should be, Look for the diamond sign with a bike on it, under this sign and facing the wrong direction was the pathetic Karangahake sign.
So turn left and get on the the gravel trail. 5 minutes is the next turnoff to the left again.
There was not a sign in sight at this turnoff but just follow the gravel Hauraki Rail Trail.
The next turnoff is 3 minutes away, look for the red bus stop shelter on your right.
From the red tin shed to the old Karangahake hall sight will take you 25 minutes. On this section of Hauraki Rail Trail the gates are a push open with the front wheel and they slam shut behind you.
You follow the river through paddocks then ride into the back street of karangahake then down to the main entrance of the Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway.. You can not miss it, the stone wall will stop you. When you have managed to squeeze through the stone barrier you are riding through what was the old Crown Battery built in 1893, 20Mt from the barrier you need to take the sharp turn to the left at the sign.

Mountain Bike Trail, Stage Two, Hauraki Rail Trail, Paero to Waikino
Waikino Battery
Waikino Battery
Start of the Waikino Rail Station

Point 3: Waikino Train Station

Cross the Waitawheta Road and in a few minutes you will be at the Victoria Battery.
The railway station is only minutes away so take some time out and have a look around
You need to cross over another bridge to get to Waikino Rail Station




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