We headed to Paeroa with a plan to ride the trail through to Waihi. Simple, easy day out… or so we thought.
First stop was the iconic L&P bottle. You can’t come through here without grabbing a photo and honestly, if you’ve never tried L&P, do it. It’s one of those drinks that just tastes like Aotearoa.
What we did
We set off on the trail feeling pretty good… until we weren’t. Took a wrong turn early on and ended up riding on the road which was a bit hairy with traffic flying past. Not ideal but we eventually found our way back onto the track.
Not long after, we hit the first tunnel. Closed. The recent weather had done some damage, so no access through. Bit of a setback, but someone pointed us further along to the Windows Walk, so we rolled with it. Locked the bikes up, repacked our picnic and essentials and started our new adventure.
That turned out to be a good call.
Short climb to start, then it levels out nicely. Along the way you pass old mining gear and trolley remains which gives you a feel for the history of the place. From there we carried on down toward the river, but the loop track was closed due to slips, so we kept going toward Dickey Flat.
That stretch along the river is easy walking and well worth it. You’ll hit a few tunnels along the way, dark, uneven underfoot, so a torch is a must (phone worked fine for us).
When we got to Dickey Flat waterfall, that’s where it got fun.
Two tunnels to choose from:
- One filled with water, you’re getting wet no matter what
- One long, dark and uneven (safest)
We went for the second one, made it halfway, turned the torches off and spotted a few glowworms. Nothing major, but enough to make it pretty cool.
We carried on to the campsite, then turned back, grabbed a spot by the waterfall, had a picnic and just chilled. Quiet, peaceful, good swimming spot too.
On the way back, we managed to get onto the proper bike trail and rode back into Paeroa, much better than the start.
What stood out
Things didn’t go to plan, but it actually made the day better.
The mix of biking, walking, tunnels, river tracks and old mining history keeps it interesting the whole way. It’s not just a straight ride, there’s a bit of everything.
The tunnels and glowworms were a highlight but honestly, just sitting by the river at Dickey Flat was up there too.
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Tohu Tip & Local Knowledge
- Check track conditions before you go — parts of the trail and tunnels do close after bad weather
- Bring a torch — phone works, but a proper one is better for tunnels, a headlamp is better, so you keep your hands free for balance.
- Watch your footing — tunnels and tracks can be uneven and slippery. Good shoes are advised.
- Parking is easy in Paeroa, plenty of space near the L&P bottle but not campervan friendly, we parked on the opposite side down the side streets.
- Karangahake Gorge carpark is a great option if you’re not biking. It has a large parking area, toilets and a safe place to start the walks
- Pack food and water — There are no shops once you’re on the track and its pack in pack out so take all your rubbish with you
- Swimming spots along the river are worth it, with easy access points leading to safe little pockets for a swim
- Good fishing spots along here too if you’ve got the gear
Worth Adding to Your Trip
If you’ve got extra time, explore more of the Karangahake Gorge walks. Even without biking the full trail, the shorter walks and river access points are well worth it.
If you’re planning to explore more of this region, take a look at our campervan itineraries and travel guides. They’re built from real trips like this, the good, the messy and the unexpected parts that often end up being the best.
“Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.”
My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective.