10 October 2026
Mostly cloudy, with the odd shower. Northeasterlies.
Loading outdoor place details…
KiwiTools
Search KiwiToolsFind tools, guides and categories in one place.
Loading photo
1 / 12Mokaihaha Ecological Area
Mokaihaha Track
Large podocarps and a chance to hear kaka and other native birdlife while walking along the Mokaihaha Track which takes you past Lake Rotohokahoka.
Distance
4.9 km
Walking time
1 1/2 hrs
Difficulty
Advanced
Dogs
Not allowed
Wheelchair access
Not marked friendly
Current status
Alerts and track conditions
No active alerts found. Conditions can still change, so check again before leaving.
Weather outlook
Waikato forecast
Issued 10 Oct 2026, 4:55 pm
11 October 2026
Showers, possibly heavy, clearing to fine spells in the afternoon. Periods of rain developing in the evening. Northwesterlies.
12 October 2026
Occasional rain, clearing north of Hamilton in the evening but remaining cloudy. Northerlies developing for a time in the morning and afternoon.
13 October 2026
A few showers. Northwesterlies, dying out in the evening.
14 October 2026
A few showers. Northwesterlies developing in the morning.
Regional guidance only; elevation and terrain can produce different conditions.
Explore the area
Mokaihaha Track on the map
See the full route on the map
Explore the track route and surrounding area before you set out.
About Mokaihaha Track
Start from the South Road car park. Ten minutes from the car park, the track splits - both paths lead down to the lake and rejoin shortly after, reaching Lake Rotohokahoka in about 20 minutes. From the lake, the main track continues through forest - follow the sign to return you to South Road, approximately 15 minutes road-walk from the car park. You can also exit halfway around the track onto West Road, this will take approximately an extra 2 hours to the roadend. West road is found approximately 3 km further down South road. Due to its rough surface and particularly in wet weather, it is recommended only for 4 wheel-drive vehicles.
Getting there for Mokaihaha Track
Mokaihaha Ecological Area is situated on the Mamaku Plateau, 9.6 km south-east of Mamaku township. From Rotorua follow SH5 (the main Rotorua-Hamilton highway) for 1 km. Turn left up Dansey road to Mamaku. At the end of this road turn left by Mamaku School and follow South road for 9.6 km until you reach the track sign on the right (west) side of the road. This is the start of the track, which ends at West road. West road is found approximately 3 km further down South road. Due to its rough surface and particularly in wet weather, it is recommended only for 4 wheel-drive vehicles. Use this location on Google Maps to help find your way there.
Helpful resources
We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz . We recommend trying these online learning tools: Trip Planning Tramping / field Skills Basic Navigation River Safety Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel
Dog access for Mokaihaha Track
No dogs.
Before you walk Mokaihaha Track
Track information, access and weather can change. Confirm current alerts and land-manager information close to departure, tell someone your plans, and carry equipment appropriate for the route and conditions.