Karangahake Gorge & Historic Windows Walkway, New Zealand

Last Updated on 9th February 2021

The Karangahake Gorge historic walkway was one of my favourite things that we did when I first lived in New Zealand eight years ago.

Residing somewhere between the Coromandel and Kaimai Mountain ranges, Karangahake Gorge is cited as one of the top 101 Must-Dos for Kiwis; our trip there a couple of weeks ago really reinforced its prominence in that list for me.

If you’re looking for an epic day out in the North Island and want to tick off another incredible famous walk in New Zealand, check out my guide on everything you need to know about Karangahake Gorge historic walkway!

How to get there

The Gorge is situated along State Highway 2, between Waihi and Paeroa and is approximately a two hours’ drive from Auckland.

The road actually goes through the Gorge and it can be quite a dangerous road; always teeming with trucks driving to and from Auckland. Make sure you take great care and attention when driving through it as those winding bends are no joke!

There’s a free carpark located at the very base of the Coromandel range which also houses a free toilet block that (I think) is open 24 hours.

There’s also the Talisman restaurant situated directly opposite the car park; perfect for stocking up on a hearty breakfast before you depart on one of the walks, or as a place to grab some well-deserved lunch once you’re finished.

Must-sees and highlights

Karangahake Gorge is home to numerous different walkways and hiking trails.

While it’s possible to tick off a few in a day (like we did), some of them can take up to four hours at a time so it’s best to choose the ones that you definitely want to do; unless you plan on visiting more than once!

Below, you can find out about the Rail Tunnel Loop walk and the Windows Walk; both of which Matt and I did while we were at Karangahake. I’ve also listed a few other things to do in and around Karangahake as it really is a place that you could spend countless hours exploring!

Windows Walk

Beginning just after one of the suspension bridges that hangs over the Waitawheta River, the Windows Walk is an incredibly cool, eerie and enigmatic thing to do at Karangahake Gorge.

Spanning approximately 2.5km and taking roughly one hour to complete, the Windows Walk lends itself to unique and captivating viewpoints through ‘windows’ of the river below.

You’ll walk passed a rusty, abandoned railway trolley, over old and broken railway tracks, all the while enjoying the spectacular, albeit slightly terrifying views of the river. It’s hard to imagine that miners and railway workers used to work here on a daily basis; while it’s perfectly safe for the public to venture around (providing that you’re sensible and have your wits about you at all times), it does seem like a dangerous place to have worked.

The ‘windows’ were actually used to tip tailings from the gold mines into the Gorge below. There’s four ‘windows’ to look out (as seen below a bit further down the post) that give you a breathtaking view of the Gorge and river, as well as the surrounding greenery.

You’ll see (and certainly hear) the loud rush of water from the river below, as well as the sheer and sharp cliff faces of Mount Karangahake above you. It’s such an incredibly cool and unique vantage point.

In order to get to the ‘windows’, once you’ve made your way over the suspension bridge and made the slight incline through the bush and over old railway lines, you’ll come to numerous short walkways through tunnels and old mine shafts.

It’s a very good idea to have a torch on you when navigating your way through these tunnels as some of the longer stretches have no sunlight at all. At the very least, make sure you have your phone torch ready to hand. Matt and I used head torches while wandering through the tunnels which were a godsend as it meant our hands were free for extra balance and stability.

The tunnels and shafts also get pretty damp and cold so make sure you’re well prepared with your clothing and equipment (more on that below!). They also feel slightly spooky and I have to admit, I got a little scared at one point as it’s absolutely pitch black if you turn the lights off; I’m pretty sure it’s not haunted but boy did it feel eerie!

Crown Walkway

The Crown Walkway is what you’ll come to once you’ve wandered through the Windows Walk. Crossing over the Waitawheta River, you’ll be able to look up at the ‘windows’ from a great viewing point below.

They’re barely noticeable on pictures but you can just about make out two of them!

This walkway back along the river will lead you back to the start of most of the walks around Karangahake; right next to the car park and toilet block.

Rail Tunnel Loop

The Rail Tunnel takes around an hour (return) and starts just above the carpark; this time you’ll go towards the right, rather than the left to go towards the Windows Walk.

This track takes you through the old Crown Battery ruins and over the Western Portal Bridge. Once you’re on this bridge, you’ll have beautiful views of the river below, as well as the gorgeous greenery that surrounds the river and rocks.

After a short walk over the bridge, you’ll arrive at Karangahake’s famous 1,100m rail tunnel. While the rail tunnel is now abandoned in terms of trains, it’s open to hikers and walkers taking part in the Rail Tunnel Loop walk.

The tunnel really does seem to go on for miles and while it is relatively well lit by lamps on the roof’s ceiling, I’d still recommend bringing a torch with you.

This tunnel is also a popular part of Karangahake for bikers so ensure you keep to one side and watch out for cyclists at all times. It can also be a little smelly and pretty damp, but it’s such an unusual thing to do in New Zealand so I’d highly recommend doing the Rail Tunnel Loop.

Once you emerge through the tunnel, you can either walk along the river and back to the Karangahake Gorge carpark, or you can continue straight on along the Historic Walkway and make your way towards Waikino (bear in mind that this will take you much longer to complete).

Other walks/hikes at Karangahake Gorge

As I mentioned before, Matt and I only did two main walks/hiking paths while we were at Karangahake, but there are numerous others that you may want to look into!

• Historic Walkway to Waikino – 4 hour return, 4.3km
• Hauraki Rail Trail – 160km track (takes around 3-4 days to complete the whole thing)
• Crown Tramway Track to Dickey Flat – 1 hour one way, 3km one way
• Owharoa Falls
• Waitawheta Tramway – 8 hours return, 19km

Top tips for visiting Karangahake Gorge

• Bring a torch – many of the tunnels and walkways are pretty dark!
• Wear suitable footwear; hiking boots are ideal but shoes that are comfy and you can walk easily in should be fine.
• Don’t forget your camera – you’ll want to take so many pictures of Karangahake Gorge!
• Bring waterproofs and warm clothing – while you’re not likely to get wet from the river (you won’t really go near enough), it’s a good idea to be prepared for rain as well as the dampness of the tunnels and caves.
• Falls Retreat, The Talisman and the Waikino Tavern are all great places to eat in and around the Gorge.
• The carpark is free so you can park up and have a full day of exploring at no cost!
• Dogs are allowed on leads on the Historic Walkway and the Crown Walkway

I truly believe that Karangahake Gorge is a must-see in the North Island; home to various walks, ancient and fascinating history as well as spectacular views and wildlife, it’s a great place to spend a couple of hours or a whole day in the Coromandel!

Pin for later – Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway

Have you ever been to Karangahake Gorge? Would it be somewhere that you’d add to your bucket list? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter @imjustagirl_16.