Photo by
pbkwee
Waipā Walk
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Walking
Te Araroa trail section: This walk uses footpaths, back roads, state highway road margins, pasture and river esplanade. Follow the bypass during lambing season.
From the Taitua Arbortum, head west on Taitua Road, turn left (south) onto Howden Road and continue straight ahead until it runs into O'Dea Road. At the end of O'Dea Road, continue over the stile – up the steps and onto the track for 2km to Walsh Road. Turn right (north) onto Walsh Road and follow this (including a 90-degree turn to the left) out to SH39, turning right (north) onto SH39 and walking 1.5km to Whatawhata village where walkers can get refreshments at the petrol station and tavern.
NOTICE: Reported Dec 2023, there may be bulls present on the section of trail between O'Dea Road and Walsh Road. Stay alert, give them plenty of space, and take your headphones out.
Walk west on SH23 through the settlement of Whatawhata, over the Waipā River bridge and take the first left (south) into Te Pahū Road. Here you will leave the road to walk on the true left bank of the Waipā River.
Look for a track behind the church, on the river side of the fence, and follow the orange markers. The track runs through pasture and swamp to a footbridge and in some places goes along a farm race – please, always give way to cattle.
At one point, the track heads back onto Te Pahū Road and across a road bridge (Paratawa Stream) before orange markers lead back onto the river reserve. Then it's back onto Te Pahū Road to the junction with Old Mountain Road.
Walk 4.5km southwest on Old Mountain Road (well past the quarry) to the start of the Karamu Walkway (km 794/8). See note below on seasonal bypass.
Karamu Walkway (Kapamahunga Range) - 10.5km / 3-4 hours
From Old Mountain Road, follow the white and/or orange markers southwards over farmland in the Kapamahunga Range. Note the entry point off Old Mountain Road is a little obscure.
After 3.5km, you pass a rural airstrip to the west and the end of Waikoha Road to the east. Keep following the markers south for another 3km. As you come downhill to the river, continue further along the northwest side of the river, skirting behind the limeworks, before coming out at the junction of Fillery Road and Limeworks Loop Road.
Follow the road southwest until reaching the DOC picnic area by the Kāniwhaniwha Stream.
To access Karamu Walkway from the Karamu end (northbound), turn off Limeworks Loop Road onto Fillery Road, cross the one-lane bridge then follow the signs along a farm track to the carpark.
Conditions
Kapamahunga Walkway
Note - this route closes for lambing 4 August to 31 October, or later as may be determined by the farm manager. Please walk 7km south on Te Pahu Road, then a further 5km west on Limeworks Loop Road to re-connect to the route.
Potential hazards:
- Vehicles on road or track
- Farming operations - please give way on all farm races.
- River crossings - Never cross flooded rivers - No access along Waipā River banks if in flood.
- Open drains
- Few water sources
No dogs allowed.
How to get here
Northern Start: Taitua Arboretum, Taitua Road
Southern End: DOC picnic area, Limeworks Loop Road
Transport
Accommodation
Whatawhata
- The Village Cafe - 1 Rothwell Lane, Whatawhata - Free camping at the cafe with plenty of space, courtesy of owner Genevieve. toilet but no shower.
- Tui Views - 30 Ferguson Rd, Whatawhata. Nik & Sharon Lowther - P 021 293 5537 E: sharon.lowther@xtra.co.nz Good sized room 20 metres away from the house, has its own deck & bbq. Toilet & shower are in the main house. Booking in advance essential. Prices $50 single, $60 for two. Includes complimentary drink, tea & coffee and simple breakfast. Approximately 1 km north from Te Araroa km 788.3
- K Valley shepherds hut. We have accommodation for TA walkers on our farm. The location is km 784.5 near Whatawhata village. The cosy shepherds hut sleeps 2 and includes a kitchenette with gas cooker and a lovely hot shower. There is also lots of space for tenting. There is along drop toilet. Phone charging is available. It is a very peaceful private spot on our farm. We can collect walkers from Whatawhata village and drop them back. A koha to cover our expenses would be appreciated.Please phone Anita on 021 0805 1626.
Karamu
- Karamu Homestead. 966 Limeworks Loop Road, Karamu. We provide campsites (Soon to be a bunkhouse) for people on the trail at our spectacular farmstay. Think cooked breakfast, great coffee and a hot shower. free wifi and netflix. Some sites are under cover. P: Stewart Best 027 272 7010. Approximately 1 km along Limeworks Road, east of the southern end of Karamu Walkway at km 802.3
Food And Supply
Track Elevation and Map
Total 2 photos. Click image above to view them all.
More information
Waikato trail notes, including information about accommodation, transport and resupplying
Before starting Te Araroa either as a through-walker of the whole country or a section walker, please register on Te Araroa website. Please also visit the website or download the app for detailed maps, trail alerts and other relevant information.
We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz.
We recommend trying these online learning tools:
Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel.
Page last updated: Dec 4, 2023, 10:35 AM