Walks

Saturday, 13 April 2024

Grade 4-5

Nearest Town: Thames

Registration Region: Thames

Duration: 6-8 Hours

Start Time: 8:00 am - Kauaeranga Road end Carpark

Cost: Donation

This popular walk leads to the Pinnacles Hut and on to the summit of the Pinnacles with spectacular views of the Coromandel Peninsula. We follow an historic packhorse route used by kauri bushmen in the 1920s. We walk up Webb Creek Track to Hydro Camp using the steps cut into the rock to make the journey easier for the packhorses during the kauri logging era. At the top of the climb to the Hydro Camp clearing, the remains of a skidded road are visible beside the track. After Hydro Camp we follow a more open ridge where there are impressive views down a branch of the Tairua River and the rugged volcanic landforms of Tauranikau and the Pinnacles. The Pinnacles Hut and Dancing Camp Campsite are a short walk down signposted side tracks. At Dancing Camp Campsite there are the remains of the Dancing Camp Dam, built in 1921, the second largest dam in the valley and partly restored in 1994. Beyond the Pinnacles Hut to the Pinnacles summit (759m) is a steady 1km climb which is steep in places and includes climbing ladders. At the lookout there are spectacular views of the bush, mountains and coastline of the eastern Coromandel. We could return via the Billygoat track if time permits (this involves a crossing of the Kauaeranga River).

Our guides for the day are from Kauaeranga Tramping Club.