11 October 2026
Showers, possibly heavy, clearing to fine spells in the afternoon. Periods of rain developing in the evening. Northwesterlies.
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1 / 7Karioi area
Wairake Track
This is the shorter and less steep route to the summit of Mt Karioi. The track crosses private farmland before climbing through native bush.
Distance
6.5 km
Walking time
4 - 5 hours return
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, 11:01 pm
12 October 2026
Occasional rain. Northwesterlies developing before dawn.
13 October 2026
A few showers. Northwesterlies.
14 October 2026
A few showers. Northwesterlies developing in the morning.
15 October 2026
A few showers, some possibly heavy. Northerlies, turning westerly.
Regional guidance only; elevation and terrain can produce different conditions.
Explore the area
Wairake Track on the map
See the full route on the map
Explore the track route and surrounding area before you set out.
About Wairake Track
Wairake Track is the shortest route to the summit and isn't as steep as sections of the Karioi Track. The downside is that you need to wait until the summit to get the views, although you can continue 2 km down the Karioi Track to the lookout for more. To begin, it’s a 40-min walk across private farmland to the bush edge. Please respect the access privilege which is only available during daylight hours. From the bush edge, the track climbs steadily through coastal forest, comprising kohekohe, māhoe, rewarewa, kamahi and a variety of ferns and shrubs, to the summit. It'll take between 2 and 3 hours to ascend, and another 2 hours to return. Alternatively, take Mt Karioi Track down and have someone pick you up at the end.
Essential information for Wairake Track
The high level tracks on Karioi follow steep-sided ridges. Water is difficult to find, especially in summer, so be sure to take sufficient drinking water with you. Access is only allowed during daylight hours.
Getting there for Wairake Track
Wairake Track starts at the end of Karioi Road, off Ruapuke Road. Use this location in Google Maps to find your way there. If combining with Mt Karioi Track head to Te Toto Gorge, 13 km from Raglan. Note, the last 4 km of Whaanga Road are unsealed. Use this location in Google Maps to 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 Wairake Track
No dogs.
Before you walk Wairake 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.