Outdoors New Zealand

Mount Te Aroha - Tramping Track

Mount Te Aroha is located in the Kaimai ranges that divide the Waikato and the Bay Of Plenty. Te Aroha is one of the highest peaks in the area, in fact at 952m it's only 7 metres shorter than Mt Pirongia.

View of Mount Te Aroha from the Morrinsville-Te Aroha Rd
The easiest track to the top of the mountain starts from the Te Aroha township at the domain. Click here for a map.

There are hot pools at the domain which make a great place to relax at the end of the tramp. 

 

Sign at start of the track
There are a few trips you can do from the start of this track. I'll be describing the walk to the summit, this trip will take anywhere from 1 hour to 3 hours to the top and 40min to 2 hours to get back down.  So you're looking at 1h40m to 5 hours for the round trip. The wide range in the times is due to the steepness of the track, any difference in fitness will change the time taken to reach the top quite considerably. Allow at least five hours for your first trip.


Good section of the track on the way to bald spur
The first part of the track to bald spur is in quite good condition and currently (August 2008) this track is being upgraded to a very high standard as can be seen in the photo. After 20-45min of zig-zagging up the hill you will reach the bald spur viewing platform.

View from bald spur on lower slopes of Mount Te Aroha
The view from bald spur is great and is a popular destination in itself. It's really impressive how high up you get in such a short walk. You can see out over the Waikato and Hauraki plains, with the Firth Of Thames also visible.

 

One of the worse sections of the Mt Te Aroha summit track
Proceeding on from bald spur the slope is fairly gentle and even includes one of the rare flat sections as it passes through a small patch of pine trees. From there the slope begins to get steeper and sometimes rocky as you climb through native bush. As can be seen in the photo the track is not as good as the part leading to bald spur; however it is still well defined with good footing all the way up.

 

View south along the Kaimai ranges from the summit of Mt Te Aroha
Once at the top you'll see the TV aerial and accompanying building, just past this is the summit itself with the trig on top. You get 360 degree views from here. To the north are the kaimais and rugged looking coromandel ranges, east is the bay of plenty coastline. Looking south you'll see the rest of the kaimais and mount ruapehu on a good day. To the west is the Waikato and the peaks of Maungatautari and Pirongia.

It's often very cold at the top of the mountain so make sure you take enough warm clothes, that way you can enjoy the view in comfort rather than rushing away back down the mountain.

If you live in the area do make sure you do this walk, it's really good for your fitness and the views are great.