Located on the Coromandel Peninsula the trail takes you back in time along a bushman's logging track and ends spectacularly with a climb up jagged peaks to awesome views.

Officially named the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail this popular track near the town of Thames is more commonly referred to as the Pinnacles walk. Not surprising really as the peaks of the Pinnacles are the track’s highlight, and really worth the effort for the sweeping views of native bush, mountains and coastline.

Exposed and rugged the Pinnacles are an impressive sight in themselves. Conveniently the 759 metre peaks are only 50 minutes walk from the Pinnacles hut situated to maximise views of the peaks.

Also the hut’s close proximity gives energetic walkers the opportunity to climb the Pinnacles at both sunrise and sunset.

The Track

From the car park the track follows an historic packhorse route used for transporting supplies to logging camps in the 1920s. You will climb the stone steps cut for the packhorses and continue uphill for about two hours. After some bridge and river crossings you arrive at the old Hydro campsite.

From there it is another hour to the Pinnacles hut. Information plaques along the trail explain the kauri logging history and the volcanic activity that has formed the pinnacles, bluffs and gorges seen en route.

After a well earned rest at the hut, it’s only another 50 minutes to the Pinnacles peaks. The track leads up wooden steps, then with the increasingly steep gradient, up two steel ladders. Finally after a short rock climb assisted by fixed steel rungs you reach the viewing platform.

Getting to the Track

This track starts at the car park at the end of Kauaeranga Road. The road is sealed for the first half and then becomes gravel until the car park. It is signposted just before the Thames town ship at the start of the Coromandel Peninsula, about two and a half hours south east from Auckland.

When to Go

Late spring through to early autumn is best (November to April) as during winter the track floods and becomes very muddy and slippery. Also check the weather forecast as cloud can completely obscure the views.

Pinnacles Hut Accommodation

Pinnacles hut sleeps 80 in dormitory style accommodation. There is one cold shower, solar lighting, BBQ, gas cookers and a solid fuel burner. Cooking utensils are not provided.

A warden is present at all times.

Advance bookings must be made at the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre ph. 64 7 867 9080 kauaerangavc@doc.govt.nz . Costs per night for an adult is NZD15.00 (USD11.50) and for a child NZD7.50 (USD5.75). Camp sites are available at half the hut fee price and campers may use all hut facilities.

The walk is popular with school and family groups during the summer school holidays (Dec & Jan) and weekends. Booking the hut during the week or on a Friday night will avoid crowds.

Information & Maps

Brochures and topographical maps are available at the visitor’s centre.

Other Walks in the Area

The Kauaeranga Valley has a selection of trails and the wider Coromandel Peninsula area some splendid coastal and forest walks.

Other Walks in New Zealand

New Zealand has a bewildering number of walking tracks throughout the North and South Islands. In the North Island the Tongariro Crossing is a fascinating one day walk through a lunar landscape and steaming volcanic activity whereas the alpine vistas on the South Island’s Cascade Saddle are calendar perfect. Enjoy.