Taraire Ridge Track

Start from the car park and follow the gravel walkway. Pass through the first gate into the "Kiwi Area" and continue along the gravel path. Shortly, you'll reach a second gate—head through and follow the orange triangle markers (not the pink ones that indicate a trap line). The initial section is an easy walk on well-maintained trails, with a few rough spots but mostly smooth terrain. The early ascents and descents are manageable, often featuring new steps for easier navigation. The trail then becomes more technical, though some steps and boardwalks remain. At the 5 km mark, you'll reach a signed intersection. Turn right onto the Taraire Ridge Track to continue the route (or for a longer walk (10.7 km) take the Pukenui Forest Loop Track which also ends back up at the start). From here, the trail transforms into a rugged and challenging path, with steep ascents and descents, countless tree roots, small stream crossings, and plenty of mud—everything a trail enthusiast could hope for! Keep an eye on the orange triangle markers, as the trail can be hard to discern in places. Gradually, the loop brings you back to the first gate near the start. Before finishing, don’t miss the second large kauri tree, located not far from the end. Taraire trees, large forest trees with dark green oval leathery leaves and dark purple fruit, dominate sections of this track. Their smooth dark brown bark often appears greyish due to lichen growth.

The 1500 hectares Western Hills and Pukenui Forest area is located right on Whangārei’s western doorstep. Pukenui Forest tracks are signposted on Three Mile Bush Road, approximately 4 km from the Kamo traffic lights in Whangārei. You can see the entrance sign almost opposite Rotomate Road or on Amalin Drive. Use this location on Google Maps to help find your way there.

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

No dogs.