Mangakara Nature Walk (Parking)

Adding some photos to help others out, since the website in my opinion is a little unclear. Great walks here! Loved the Mahaukura Track. It's a real nice challenge, we went to the Wharauroa Lookout and returned from there at the carpark in just over half a (work) day including stops. Perfect for a day hike!Sorry for the weird angle of the board but that was the only way of preventing the sunshine to cover all the information written there!

Beautiful walk, lots to see and do.Great for young families.

Pirongia Forest Park is amazing. Walk in a dense forest feel. Calm and quiet forest environment. Safe, clean , being with family and friends will be more enjoyable.

Great walk, well maintained track with information signs along the way. The walk is listed as 1 hour but easy to do in half that time if you wanted. Kid friendly, a few steps on the track and few inclines. Not really ideal for a push chair. Other walks also start here if you want something more challenging.

Parking was full so alot parked on the grass, we started the nature walk but it was super easy but beautiful with alot of information for adults and kids about the plants and life in this forest, we decided to walk up to Ruapane peak. This is not for the faint hearted, all uphill steep stairs but wow its worth is after 2 hours hard work to the top. Falling in love with this forest

Such an easy walk but yet different and interesting. Be careful with young ones no biking no dogs though. One of the sign says Expect the unexpected...

Really nice and maintained track. From the carpark you get straight into the bush walk there's a bit of a descent to get down to the loop. The track is mainly gravel so walking shoes would be fine. Takes between 30 minutes to an hour to do the whole loop and back. Plenty of parking. Has a number of information boards about the area and plants and wildlife along the track.

RUNNERS ADVICEIncredibly preserved forest, unencumbered by practically any human intervention. Paths are basic but very well sign posted.I ran this trail up to the lookout when it was bone dry and although it was fun, I wouldn’t recommend it for running. There are many many tripping hazards lower down the trail and on higher elevations, light technical work and scrambling is required (which is awesome). In saying that, if you don’t mind a technical run with some stop/starts, then I would give this a try.Elevation gain per kilometer averages 150m, so it’s a challenging ascent. On the descent, some parts will require all hands on deck, where as others will challenge an adventurous runner who is looking to work on their downhill forest sprints. Next time I will run further

Nice little hike. Expecting less incline on trail so if you go make sure to be ready to get your glutes in shape. Lots of stairs to go up.

What an idyllic little bush stroll within easy access of Hamilton city. Specific plants are identified by markers with information and there is an interpretation board at the entry. Sheltered walking suitable for young children.