Warawara Forest Track
Track category
Tramping track
Time:
2 days
Distance:
22 km
Description
Mitimiti viewed from the Warawara Track
This 22-km tramping track offers the backcountry adventurer a great tramping experience in one of Northland’s wilderness areas.
The track runs through the Warawara Forest ending at Pawarenga in the north or Mitimiti in the south-west.
To walk this track comfortably it is recommended you set aside two days to complete, camping overnight in the forest.
From Mitimiti, the track begins very steeply and quickly climbs up through manuka/kanuka shrub, leading into broadleaf forest until you reach the summit. You will pass through stunning kauri forest, and you can get beautiful vistas over the forest out to the coast from many places along the track. The climb up to the summit is steep. A moderate degree of fitness is required to attempt this track.
Along the track, you come across an historical kauri slab hut approximately 2 hours in. Situated 900 m west of the highpoint Umawera, at an altitude of about 350 m asl, the hut you see today lets you step back in time to life in the Warawaras during the 1940’s, before chainsaws and four-wheel drives.
From here, follow track markers through broadleaf forest, until you reach an old logging road. Once on the road the grade over the track is gentle.
It is recommended spending the night in the forest before finishing in Pawarenga. The second day you pass through an area now recovering from logging, before the track ends in Pawarenga. There is also an option for a round trip, which takes people back to Mitimiti via the beach.
View a track location map
Getting there
Start at Mitimiti: From Kaitaia travel west on Kaitaia-Awaroa Rd. Turn left to Herekino. Head to Broadwood. Turn right towards Pawarenga/Panguru. Follow to Pawarenga Rd, then left onto Runaruna Rd, right onto West Coast Rd. Follow until you get to Mitimiti. Signs indicate the start of DOC track.
Start at Pawarenga: From Kaitaia travel west on Kaitaia-Awaroa Rd. Turn left to Herekino. Head to Broadwood. Turn right to Pawarenga/Pangaru. Follow to Pawarenga Rd, then to the end of this road. Signs indicate start of DOC track.
Activities
Bird and wildlife watching
Bird and wildlife watching
Warawara Forest is full of beautiful native birds and plants. Keep an eye out for New Zealand's smallest bird, the rifleman.
Plan and prepare
Help stop kauri dieback
Kauri dieback disease is killing our native kauri. It spreads by soil movement, but you can help prevent it.
- Stay on the track and off kauri roots.
- Clean your gear before and after visiting kauri forests.
Visit the kauri dieback website for more information on how you can help.
Safety
- This track requires a high degree of skill and experience, and route-finding ability. It is suitable for well equipped trampers with topographical maps and compass.
- During winter months or after heavy rainfall track will become muddy.
- Be fit and self sufficient.
- Take care with river crossings, especially after rain. If in doubt, sit it out.
- Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back
- keep to the tracks. If you become lost - stop, find shelter, stay calm and wait for searchers to find you. Don't leave the area unless you are absolutely sure where you are heading.
What to take on your trip
- Take adequate food and clothing on your trip and allow for weather changes and possible delays.
- Carry water as streams along the way can dry up over summer.
- Take insect repellent.
Notes
Toihu te whenua – leave the land undisturbed
- Respect our cultural heritage
- Protect plants and animals
- Remove rubbish
- Do not cut or remove vegetation
- Light no fires
- Keep to the track
- Consider others
- Enjoy your visit
Track location map
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