Summit Track

Summit Track -  Hakarimata Scenic Reserve, Ngaruawahia

Summit Track

Hakarimata Scenic Reserve, Ngaruawahia

3 Rankers Reviews

0 Face-to-Face

2 Huntly

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Marios Gavalas

Author And Researcher

Nau mai, haere mai

Nau mai, haere mai

I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.

I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!

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Information

Summit Track

4 km return | 3 hours return (generous)

The Hakarimata Reserve now covers over 1800 hectares with kauri, rimu and tawa in the forest. This is the highest viewpoint around and beest done early or late, when the Waikato River glistens like a silver thread.

Walking Track

Access

There is a parking area at Brownlee Avenue, where there are also toilets.

Track

Follow the Water Works Walk and just before the dam head right.

There now begins the journey of a 1000 steps - more in fact - 1349 according to the DoC brochure. The steady climb is punctuated with occasional inspirational quotes. For example “sweat is just fat crying”.

Occasional peeps out are not as impressive as the summit. At 374m, it is not high, but commands extensive views over the Waikato to Maungatautari.

Polynesian History

The name Hakarimata was conferred when a huge feast was prepared for guests ‘hakari kai mata’.

The tomokanga was unveiled in 2016 as a joint venture between DoC, Waikato District Council, Ngaruawahia Community Board and Waikato Tainui. It was carved by Master Carver Inia Te Wiata and depicts important tribal stories and histories.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

DOC Waikato

Central government organisation

Location

North IslandWaikatoHuntly

Categories

  • Activity__walking_and_trekkingWalking
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-37.6629475000735

175.141850614548

Latitude
-37.6629475000735
Longitude
175.141850614548

Nearby

Reviews

    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 1
    33%
    9/10 0
    0%
    8/10 1
    33%
    7/10 1
    33%
    6/10 0
    0%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 0
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    2/10 0
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    1/10 0
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  • 3.5/5

    Awesome views from the top but lots of stairs and many people.

    Reviewed over 5 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    requires good level of fitness but if you go just before sunset (take a headlight) on the way back down there’s sooo many glow worms it’s magic!!!

    Reviewed over 6 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    nice walk, but more of a climb, a very large amount of steps, great lookout point at top, can look over the waikato, firth of thames, coromandel ranges, out to the westcoat and even see mt Ruapehu on a

    very clear crisp day

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in January 2013