Kauri Grove Walk

A pleasant walk to some spectacular Kauri Trees

The Kauri Grove Walk is a gentle walk on a well formed track that takes you through some of the Tangihua Ranges unique forest and ends amongst a grove of large mature Kauri Trees.

Kauri Grove Walk Access and Route

The Kauri Grove is part way along the Te Haua Uru Track. The best way to get there is to take the track from the Tangihua Lions Lodge through to the confidence course. On the far side of the confidence course the track continues along the valley and across the Pikiwahine stream to the Kauri Grove.

From the Kauri Grove you can either head back to the Lodge or climb the Te Haua Uru Track to the ridge line where you can turn north to the hut or east to Horokaka.

Kauri Grove Walk Time and Difficulty Level

The walk to the Kauri Grove is suitable for all age groups and for people with low to moderate fitness levels and agility. The track follows the valley so is reasonablt flat, unless you continue past the Kauri Grove. It is also well formed and very well sign-posted.

A return trip from the Tangihua Lions Lodge can take as little as an hour. For school groups of year 8 students or younger, the walk to the Kauri Grove, a good look around and a few stops along the way can make for a pleasant half day.

There is no bridge were the track crosses the Pikiwahine Stream. In dry to moderate weather this is not a problem as there are plenty of rocks to use to get across without getting wet. During periods of heavy rain the level of the stream will rise so take care if crossing and if it looks too strong or deep, don’t cross.

For those planning to continue on up the ridge to the hut or Horokaka, be aware that after the Kauri Grove the track and the terrain become far more difficult.

The view along the track to the Kauri Grove

What you will see on the walk to the Kauri Grove

The track passes through different areas of forest in different stages of regeneration. You will also notice the forest changing as you get further in, with different species of trees and plants dominating in different areas.

The stream that you cross is the same stream that was once used to transport logs out of forest during the days of Kauri logging and along the sides of the track you may notice the stumps of Kauri and other trees that were harvested in the past. If you want to know more about the forest, the history of the area and the plants, birds and insects you may discover, have a browse through the pages on this website

What you will see when you get to the Kauri Grove

You will know you have made it to the right place when you step up on to the boardwalk that runs through the middle of the Kauri Grove. The largest trees in the grove would have been around when other Kauri in the forest were being felled for their timber. These trees were just outside the land designated for milling which is why they were spared.

About 200m before the grove there is a Kauri which has been cut down and left to rot. It is likely that the tree was outside the designated area but was felled before the loggers realised this.

The boardwalk and viewing platform was constructed by the Department of Conservation (DoC) to protect the Kauri from the spread of Kauri Die-Back. Please stay on the tracks and boardwalks to help us keep these ancient giants safe.

DOC MARKER TO FOLLOW

Important Information

When walking the tracks you are likely to notice a range of different coloured markers.

DO NOT

follow any markers other than the orange markers.

The other markers indicate the location of trap and bait station lines that are part of a range of conservation programs underway in the Tangihua Forest, including;

• Tangihua Community Pest Control Area: Targeting pests on farm land with local farmers and the Northland Regional Council
• Conservation on DoC Land: Tangihua Lions Lodge Conservation and Education project
• Conservation Education: Creating a high quality, accessible educational center surrounded by a fully functional ecosystem for schools and any one else who may choose to use the facility.
• Volunteers Options : How you can help protect our native bush.

For more information or to book the Tangihua Lions Lodge click here.

You may be interested in our conservation project aiming to restore the forest. If so, visit our conservation page.