Waitomo to Te Kuiti

13 km - 5.25 hours

This track alternates between open farmland and patches of bush - and as promised a few significant up and down sections that were fairly steep. Reasonably slow going, but being careful I did not deviate from the marked route too much after the first valley. The second patch of bush provided a pleasant walk along a ridge, then wound via a farm track down to another valley.

Across that, and then a cute wee suspension bridge (pic) across the Mangapu River - a muddy stream with steep sides - then into the Pehitawa Forest on a very tidy track. Then out onto farmland for what was supposed to be an open walk to the top of Brook Park in Te Kuiti.

But half way between Oparure Rd and Gadsby Rd the markers vanished (meaning I searched up and down the next fenceline for them, but did not find them or the expected stile. Continued on in the right direction, but the other side of Gadsby Rd was the same, so headed down there to the main road, right on the outskirts of the town anyway. Looking forward to having a walk up and down Brook Park next time I am back.

Mahoe Forest to Waitomo

Sunday 4th April - 25 km (and some) - 10.5 hours

An early start took me through farmland, then on an old track through the forest from Honikiwi Rd to Mahoe Rd. Shoulder high ferns to brush past - fine except for where a farm bike had been through and coated them with (now) dried mud. Farm land, a minor road, and then into forest again at the Oamaru Reserve.

This is a new track (because of access issues for the first half of the old one), well marked, but fairly slow going as it was a bit uneven, but made steady progress up and down through the forest, then down and up a long fenceline into a valley - then up and down again, and up some more - and the sun had come out too, so quite hot. On the next up section the track initially pointed through what looked like thick scrub, but the alternative I tried was worse, so after a rough hill climb, I rejoined the real track.

This then dived off into trees, with pleasant walking, and at some point changing from the new track into the original track which looked to be on an old forest road. At this point the markers became a lot less frequent, leading to a wrong turning, before back tracking and being more vigilant the second time. This wound its way down through the forest to follow a stream. My track map had a side turning marked part way along, so followed one when I found it, but that was wrong - so back tracked again.

And then there was a wide shallow river to cross (shallow thanks to dry weather - you don't go this way after heavy rain) - my feet really appreciating cooling down at this point. The real track actually follows the forest road up and down all the way down to near Waitomo - pleasant enough, but at this point I was quite tired.

The last section was to take a short track down the hill to join the Waitomo Walkway, but as warned by the neighbour, the brambles were out in force, and although my walking pole could deal to some of them, it was time to give up on them and head down the road to Waitomo village.

My hardest and longest day of Te Araroa so far - quite long sections of rougher track, and my track maps having some significant variations from where the new and original track actually went - errors of navigation really cost time and energy. Great country though - forest, hills, views, streams - I love it (pic).

Mt Pirongia Traverse, and on to Honikiwi Road

Saturday 3rd April - 33 km - 8.8 hours

Not yet used to the reduced daylight hours, we had a mostly dark drive to the north end of the Mt Pirongia track. Daylight arrived soon after, as I headed off alongside a stream, then into the bush for a steady climb for a while on a good track, getting rougher as I neared the top. Lovely views from the first 950m peak, then on to Mt Pirongia (959m) and its high viewing platform for an early lunch with views in all directions - some high cloud only.

Then on to check out the Pahautea Hut, before turning off down the revised Hihikiwi track. To the Hihikiwi lookout it is on the most amazing boardwalk, which at times is quite high above the forest floor - a bit disconcerting at first - not a place to be distracted and put a foot wrong ! This has been installed recently, and dedicated to Noel Sandford who has played a huge part in getting Te Araroa to where it is today.

After the lookout the track became more standard, working its way onto a ridge heading in the right direction, then following that up and down until finally reaching the southern edge of the Pirongia Forest Park. Finally found some of the famous Pirongia mud on the way - and it hasn't been raining much lately either.

Arrived at the track exit in very good time (5.5 hours), so then went on to the next section of Te Araroa - the Pirongia South Walk - going down mostly very minor country roads with some good views, including a walk on a road through the Te Rauamoa Reserve to finish the day.

West of Hamilton to foot of Mt Pirongia

Friday 2nd April - 27.5 km - 5.75 hours

Met up with the chooks again at Taitua Arboretum, on a cooler morning, heading westward via quiet country roads with frequent views in all directions.

These took me to the Raglan road, through Whatawhata, across the Waipa River, then picked up the Waipa River Walk. Some pleasant walking alongside the river, and a new found skill for when brambles grab my legs - Freeze ! Not many of those, but then two paddocks of boisterous young cattle - the sort that like to run up behind you when you are not looking and have to be shooed away before they bowl you over.

And so around the tiver some more, and some more quiet country roads to the start of the Kapamahunga Walkway - a walk along farm tracks through hilly limestone country with great views and cattle that were just happy to run away. Just loving the Waikato hills (pic).

A patch of pleasant bush, then some more quiet country roads to the start of tomorrow's Mt Pirongia jaunt.

Ngaruwahia to west of Hamilton

29.2 km - 5.25 hours

The next section of Te Araroa involves some walking on a busy stretch of SH1, waiting for a walkway to be built along the south bank of the Waikato River. My scout had been sent out earlier to check out the new walkway, but nothing much happening, so my alternative route was to cross to the north bank and follow a more minor River Rd all the way to Hamilton - at times still able to hear the traffic on SH1.

I crossed to the south bank again on a pedestrian bridge, so picking up with the Te Araroa route again very soon after it actually hits the walkway alongside the river. This delightful walk and cycle way took me all the way into the centre of Hamilton - what a real treat that is for the city to have such a pleasant traffic free walk in the middle of the city (pic).

From there a scoot across to Lake Rotoroa, and then via a few roads to Tills Lookout on the west of the town. And there I was with views all around and the path leading to ... Mt Pirongia, where Te Araroa will take me soon. From the lookout the path took me down into the Taitua Arboretum, for a gentle walk amongst the trees to the carpark and my pickup for the day.

Back there hopefully at Easter.

Huntly to Ngaruwahia

19.2 km - 5 hrs 20 minutes

From the Huntly power station, there is a road walk through the western side of the town, and then staying on that side of the river, on south to the start of the Hakarimata Walkway.

That starts off as a good class walking track - if you don't mind the hundreds of well made steps - up to lookout points back up north (picture - Waikato River and Huntly town). As promised, after that it becomes a standard tramping track that goes up and down the bush clad ridge that looks down on the Waikato River and SH1 on its way from Ngaruwahia to Taupiri - with even the sound of a train from time to time.

And then a steep downhill track, which near the bottom becomes a well made walking track past the Mangarata reservoir and waterfall, taking me all the way into Ngaruwahia.

A shorter time than expected, but at the moment with everything so dry, it is fast walking / tramping, with no mud or slippery tracks to slow me down.

Mercer to Huntly

42 km - 8.5 hours

From Mercer there is a short up and down track that runs parallel to the main road, providing a great view of the Waikato River and taking me to the Whangamarino Redoubt historical site.

From there it was a walk alongside SH1, but fortunately a wide verge, so no big deal. Escaped into a diversion via Meremere township, then back to the main road, before heading off for the river after a short while. Then on stop banks and other riverside paths for quite a few kms heading south. After the Pumphouse site a bit of a toss up between the quiet road and the parallel stop bank, all the way through to the bridge at Rangiriri.

Across the river there, and then on stop banks almost all the way to the Huntly Power Station - a bit like walking on a rail trail, as for most of the way the stop banks are some distance from the river, and wind their flat way through (very dry) paddocks, behind houses and away from the road.