Nutshell
- Location: The Blade, Whakamarama, Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park
- Access: Ngamarama track – car park at the end of Whakamarama Road, the track veers off the Pa Kereru Loop track.
- DOC Duration: Click here for DOC website track info
- Forest Family Times: Ngamarama track to North South Junction – 5 hours with a 5, 6, 7 and two 8 year olds – this time includes breaks after every hour of walking (when walked without children it only took 2.5-3 hours).
- West – Te Tuhi track – 1.5 – 2 hours, walking with a 10, 11 and 12 year old (Walking time only – doesn’t include lunch or swim stop).
- South – North South track to Te Whare Okioki – 1/1.5 hours without/with kids.
- North – North South track to Wairere Falls (top) – 2.5 hours without kids
- Track Grade: Advanced – this DOC grade is due to stream/river crossings.
- Highlights/Features: The old tramline cuttings are pretty spectacular. The track is a good mix between tramline, roots and grassy paths, it’s nice to change it up a bit – kids love climbing over roots more fun than a plain track. There were plenty of streams to dip your feet in or to enjoy a lunch break at. This is a decent walk for little legs so be sure to have lots of distractions up your sleeve.
- Notes:
- There are several small stream crossings on this track, some are rock hopping, some are crossed by balancing on logs.
- Always look up and follow the orange triangles as there were a couple of times on the track that while looking down you could veer off on an unmarked track (make sure kids are not walking too far ahead).
- No dogs allowed unless by permit.
- There is a toilet at the car park in Whakamarama.