The Karangahake Gorge

Located in the rugged gap gently carved by the cool arm of the Ohinemuri River, the Karangahake Gorge is one of New Zealand's most astonishing areas. Watched over by the Kaimai Range to the south and the Coromandel Range to the north, the gorge is as rich in history as it is in physical beauty. The scars of mining have been stitched together by the roots of native trees and thin fern fronds and the rolling water of the Ohinemuri River has cleansed the land, leaving an explorer's paradise, with scenic walks, dark tunnels and wobbly swing bridges. There are multiple trails of varying length and difficulty, most of which depart from the main Karangahake Reserve car park near the Paeroa end of the gorge. The most popular of the gorge walks is the Windows Walk. With tunnels, railways, an abandoned battery and suspension bridges, the 2.5km loop will entertain young and old. Pack a torch – the tunnels are spooky enough. The walk takes its name from the ‘windows' blasted into the side of the tunnels, with views over the Waitawheta River.

It's a 1-hour walk from the Karangahake reserve to Dickeys Flat, the site of a popular campground with swimming holes and further walking tracks. There's a 200m tunnel on this walk, plus it passes the Woodstock Underground Pumphouse and the Crown Stope where a mine was built across the river.

There are two walks that share the path with cyclists on the Hauraki Rail Trail. The shorter of the two is the Rail Tunnel Loop, which includes the 110m rail tunnel, and the second is the Karangahake Historic Walkway, which connects the reserve car park with Waikino and the Victoria Battery. It's a 7km round trip, which also passes the Owharoa Falls and the Falls Retreat.