Karangahake Gorge Windows Walk: Gold Mining Tunnels Near Waihī

Overview

The Windows Walk is the most popular short walk in the Karangahake Gorge, on SH2 between Paeroa and Waihī at the southern end of the Coromandel Peninsula. In about 1 hour (2.5 km) you cross swing bridges and walk past the ruins of the Talisman battery. Then you follow an old rail track into gold-mining tunnels whose four openings, the "windows", look straight down into the river gorge. Kids love it.

The walk

1. From Karangahake Reserve car park, cross the suspension bridge over the Ohinemuri River, then the Lower Waitawheta Gorge bridge.
2. Climb the stairs through the abandoned buildings and machinery of the Talisman battery.
3. Follow the old rail track along the gorge and into the tunnels, past the four "windows".
4. Leave the cliff, go down a staircase, and cross the river on another suspension bridge.
5. Return along the opposite side of the gorge on the Crown Tramway Track to the car park.

Bring a torch for the tunnels.

Getting there

The Karangahake Reserve car park is on SH2 in the gorge, between Waihī and Paeroa.

Closures

The lower Crown Track, between the Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway and the top suspension bridge, is regularly closed when heavy rain is forecast, because of slips, rockfall and rising rivers. Dickey Flat Campsite is still reachable via the Windows Walk when that section is closed.

Good to know

• Grade: Easy short walk
• No dogs
• Combine it with the longer Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway or the Hauraki Rail Trail, which runs through the gorge. See our Hauraki Rail Trail guide.