- Dam Loop around the reservoir: about 30 minutes, mostly flat.
- Trig Point climb: about 45 minutes, wide gravel track with many steps.
- Forest Loop: a separate option that adds bush walking through pohutukawa, puriri and kauri.
- All three combined: one to two hours, walk as much or as little as you like.
- Views from the trig stretch from Waihi Beach round to the Coromandel and across the Bay of Plenty.
- Dogs are welcome but must go on a lead near the top, where farm stock graze.
- Part of the Waihi Walks network, with a few other tracks close by.
Quick facts
Getting there
Take Waihi Beach Rd to the Waihi Surf Lifesaving Club. Just past the surf club turn left into Pacific Rd. Go to the end of Pacific Rd and turn left onto Reservoir Loop Rd, then drive up to the car park. The track starts just above the car park. There are public toilets and water at the car park, so fill up before you start.
The walk
The climb to the trig
The track up to the trig is wide, well drained gravel, but there are many, many steps. Some walkers find this daunting, so pace yourself. Pine trees have recently been removed from the upper section and natives planted in their place, so there is no shade for now. It will fill in over the next few years, but for the moment bring sun protection and water. The open views over farmland make up for the lack of shade, and you get glimpses of the sea that improve the higher you climb.
About halfway up, a short side track leads to a lookout with seats, a good spot to catch your breath. Further up there is a map board showing your location and the direction to the trig, useful if you have not walked it before.
At the trig
The white trig station marks the top. From here you get views over Waihi Beach and the east coast, and right round from Waihi Beach to the Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty. There is another lookout spot with seats nearby, worth lingering at if the day is clear.
From the trig you have a choice. Head back down the steps the way you came, or continue along the tops to join the Forest Loop for a longer circuit.
Tops to Forest Loop
The track along the tops is a wide gravel road, easy walking through open farmland and hills. It then narrows into a proper bush trail, pohutukawa, puriri and kauri overhead, with pungas, nikau and ferns lining the track. Tall pungas lean across the path to form a canopy in places. This section is especially green after rain.
The forest trail comes out onto the Dam Loop trail at the top of the car park, and you are back at the car in under two hours from the start.
What you will see
Open farmland and wide sky on the climb, with the sea appearing behind you as you gain height. From the trig, the whole sweep of Waihi Beach, the Coromandel coast and the Bay of Plenty. In the Forest Loop section, native bush including pohutukawa, puriri, kauri, nikau and tree ferns, plus a signposted map of the Waihi Stream area showing the tracks and an old quarry.
Who it is for
This is a good trig walk for anyone reasonably fit who does not mind steps, and there are a lot of them on the way up. Families with older kids manage it fine, and the option to stack the loops together or keep it short at just the Dam Loop means you can match the walk to the group. If steps and steep sections are not your thing, the Dam Loop alone is flat and takes about 30 minutes.
When to go
The tracks are well marked, graded and maintained, and stay remarkably dry underfoot even after rain, so this is a reliable walk in most weather. The Forest Loop is especially green and worth doing after rain. The upper section of the Trig climb is currently unshaded following pine harvesting, so avoid the middle of a hot day if you can, or at least carry water and sun protection.
Important stuff
- Dogs are welcome on lead, but must be kept on a lead near the top of the reserve as farm stock graze there. There have been past incidents of dogs chasing stock and calves into fences.
- The Trig Trail itself is for walkers and runners only. Mountain bikes are fine on the separate Forest Loop and Dam Loop trails.
- The Forest Loop has had some storm damage in the past, with trail crews carrying out surfacing and drainage work. Check the current conditions before you go, as you may find a work site detour or small work vehicles on the track.
- The Trig Trail has previously closed for several weeks at a time during forestry logging operations in the summit area. Check the current track status before visiting.
- Toilets and water are available at the reservoir car park.
- No wheelchair access.
Common questions
Can you take dogs on the Waihi Beach Trig Walk?
Yes, the trails are dog friendly, but dogs must be on a lead near the top of the reserve where farm stock graze.
How long does the Waihi Beach Trig Walk take?
The Dam Loop alone is about 30 minutes, the Trig climb about 45 minutes, and all three loops combined take one to two hours.
Can you mountain bike the trig track?
No, the Trig Trail is for walkers and runners only. Bikes are welcome on the Forest Loop and Dam Loop trails instead.
Where do you park for the Waihi Beach Trig Walk?
At the water reservoir car park off Pacific Road, which has public toilets and water.
Is the Waihi Beach Trig Walk currently open?
Usually yes, but the Trig Trail has closed in the past for forestry logging work in the summit area, and the Forest Loop has seen storm related trail work. Check the current track status before you visit.
Other walks nearby
For more options in the area, see Waihi Walks, our full guide to Waihi walking tracks.
