The Hakarimata Summit Track is one of the best short hikes within easy reach of Hamilton. Tucked into the Hakarimata Scenic Reserve near Ngaruawahia, this track packs a steep climb through native forest into a manageable half-day outing with views well worth the effort. It also connects to a much larger network of trails if you’re keen to make a full day of it.
Where Is the Hakarimata Summit Track?
The Hakarimata Scenic Reserve sits about 17km northwest of Hamilton, just outside Ngaruawahia. It’s a short drive from the city, making it one of the most accessible “proper” hikes for anyone based in Hamilton or the wider Waikato.
The reserve is well known locally for its towering stands of native bush including kauri, rimu, miro, matai, totara, rata, rewarewa and tawa, and for the sweeping views you get once you reach the top.
The Summit Track at a Glance
- Distance: Roughly 3km return from Brownlee Avenue
- Time: Around 2-3 hours return
- Climb: About 335 vertical metres to a summit height of 374m above sea level
- Steps: Around 1,349 steps
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Dogs: Not permitted
Although not a technically difficult climb, this is not a flat stroll. The climb is steady and relentless in sections, with well-constructed staircases carrying you up through the bush. It’s a genuine leg-burner, but the trail itself is well maintained and easy to follow, and the payoff at the top makes the effort worthwhile.
As almost the entire track is composed of stairs, it is not a suitable track for wheelchairs or buggies. It requires a reasonable level of fitness and the ability to climb for an extended period, but your pace is entirely up to you. Take the steps slowly one section at a time or power through them all at once for an even tougher workout. Just make sure to let anyone faster than you pass safely.
From the summit tower, you get panoramic views across the Waikato Basin, out towards the coast, and on a clear day, all the way to Mount Ruapehu. It’s also a great spot to look back down over Hamilton and the Waikato River winding through Ngaruawahia.
Getting to the Trailhead
There are three main entry points into the reserve, depending on which section you want to walk:
Brownlee Avenue: the most popular starting point for the Summit Track, located off Hakarimata Road about 1km north of Ngaruawahia. From here, you follow the Waterworks Walk before the summit track branches off and begins its steep climb.
Parker Road: the northern access point, used for the Kauri Loop Track and the northern section of the Hakarimata Walkway. There’s parking and toilets here.
Waingaro Road: the southern access point, which connects into the Hakarimata Rail Trail.
Kauri Dieback: Please Use the Cleaning Stations
The Hakarimata Scenic Reserve is home to mature kauri, including a notable grove along the Kauri Loop Track. This makes it especially important to protect them from kauri dieback, a soil-borne disease that’s been killing kauri trees across the North Island and spreads easily on dirty footwear.
To help stop the spread, you’ll find boot cleaning stations at track entrances, including at the start of the Waterworks Walk. Take a moment to scrub off any mud and spray your shoes before you set out, and again when you finish. It only takes a few seconds and makes a real difference. If a track is closed for kauri protection, stick to the closure rather than detouring around it, since even a small amount of foot traffic near vulnerable roots can do damage.
The Waterworks Dam: A Bit of History on the Way Up
Before the stairs even start, the Waterworks Walk follows the Mangarata Stream past a genuine piece of local history: the old Mangarata Dam. Built back in 1922, this small reservoir once supplied Ngaruawahia’s drinking water, with everything used to build it carried up the track by hand, long before there was any vehicle access. It stayed in use right through until the 1970s, and you can still spot remnants of the old pipework along the trail today.
The dam itself, along with its small waterfall and pool, makes a nice landmark for a shorter, easier outing rather than the full summit slog. Many families enjoy this section as a standalone loop, with a gravel picnic spot near the old spillway. The damp banks around here are home to glowworms after dark, though you’ll need to visit outside daylight hours (and be extra careful on the track) to see them.
For summit-bound hikers, this is also where the two routes split: keep straight along the stream for the easy Waterworks loop, or branch off just before the dam for the steep staircase up to the summit.
A Quick Safety Note
The section of the Waterworks Walk between the waterfall and the start of the staircase runs through a narrower stretch of track. Take caution here, particularly in wet weather, as loose rock can be an issue. Sturdy footwear and water are a must for the climb itself, since the steps get slippery after rain.
Connecting Trails: Making a Bigger Day of It
The Summit Track is really just the steep, popular entry point into a much larger trail network across the Hakarimata Scenic Reserve. If you want to extend your walk, or come back another day for something different, here’s what else is out there.
Hakarimata Walkway
This is the full traverse of the reserve, running between Parker Road in the north and Waingaro Road in the south via the Rail Trail and the summit. The full walkway takes around 7 hours, depending on your route and conditions, so most people tackle it in sections or arrange a car shuffle between trailheads. Partway along, at the summit junction, you also have the option to exit down to Brownlee Avenue via the Summit Track rather than continuing the full length. The walkway passes through some of the best native bush in the reserve, including mature kauri and totara, with occasional clearings offering views west.
Kauri Loop Track
Starting from the Parker Road end, this loop takes you up to the top viewing point and across to the Southern Lookout, which has excellent views south across to Hamilton city. The track is a bit rougher underfoot, with exposed tree roots in places, but it’s a good option if you want forest immersion without repeating the main summit staircase.
Hakarimata Rail Trail
At the southern end of the reserve, near Waingaro Road, the old Ngaruawahia to Glen Massey railway line has been turned into a 1.5km, 30-minute walk that’s a much flatter alternative. There’s even a picnic area with toilets along the way, which allows for a more relaxed walk or to cool down after hiking up to the summit. However, despite being flatter in nature, after significant storm damage, the track will remain unsuitable for wheelchairs until repairs can be made.
Linking It All Together
Local trail runners sometimes link the whole reserve together: summit via Brownlee Avenue, continue south along the Hakarimata Rail Trail, then loop back to the start via Waingaro Road—turning the summit climb into a longer half-day loop rather than a straight there-and-back. It’s a solid option if you’re fit and after more distance, but it’s not the standard visitor route.
Is the Hakarimata Summit Track Part of Te Araroa?
Yes. The Summit Track forms part of the Te Araroa Trail, New Zealand’s long-distance walking route that runs the length of the country. So while most people are just out for a morning workout, you’re technically walking a stretch of trail also used by end-to-end trampers passing through the Waikato.
Tips for Walking the Hakarimata Summit Track
- Go early or midweek if you want the car park to yourself—Brownlee Avenue gets busy on weekends.
- Wear shoes with proper grip—the steps can be damp and slippery, especially under the forest canopy.
- Bring water—there’s no water source on the climb itself.
- Check the weather—the narrow section near the waterfall isn’t the place to be in heavy rain or wind.
- Leave the dog at home—dogs aren’t permitted in the reserve.
- Check the DOC’s website before you go for any track closures or updates, since sections are occasionally closed for maintenance.
So, Is the Track Worth It?
Yes. For a hike this close to Hamilton, the Hakarimata Summit Track punches well above its weight. It’s steep enough to feel like a real achievement, short enough to fit into a morning, and the summit views over the Waikato Basin are hard to beat. And if 1,349 steps isn’t enough for you, the connecting Walkway, Kauri Loop, and Rail Trail mean there’s plenty more of the reserve to explore on your next visit.
Hamilton with Kids: Affordable Family Adventures & Free Outings