Waitonga Falls Track
Waitonga Falls Track
4.5
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Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
90 reviews
Excellent
60
Very good
27
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
0
CharlieOscarPapa
Dunedin, New Zealand543 contributions
Mar 2021
Be warned! There are two tracks to the falls - the first one you come across from Ohakune, says it takes 3.35h to the falls and this is not wrong. It is the Old Blyth Track. Do not take this one - the much quicker, and probably better (since we chose the wrong one) is quite a bit further on, though not easily spotted until you are right on top of it.
Written 24 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NgarK
42 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Beautiful walk to the falls. Our children aged 8 and 3 at the time loved it. The little one had to be carried for a bit up the stairs on our return but it is definitely family friendly. We ventured to the falls as the kids love rock jumping and they were amazing!
Written 24 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kaikopere
Ohakune13 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
I live at the bottom of the Mountain Road and have walked this track in all seasons. The bridge at the beginning of the track is beautiful after a winter snowfall. Just across the bridge is a mountain cedar (Libocedrus bidwillii, Kaikawaka) with its trunk formed like an abstract Henry Moore sculpture. The vegetation is very varied just beyond here, with even a rare mistletoe, protected from opossum damage by a wire netting cage beside the track. It can be covered in red flowers, but I have seen it in flower only once. Ten minutes along, steps take you up around a dripping rocky cliff. Beautiful icicles hang from the cliff in mid-winter. Just past the steps a botanical missing link is growing in abundance beside the track. This is a moss 15cm high, Polytrichum, with conducting tissue.
After another five-minute climb, the track levels out, and along here after a snowfall I once saw magical fairy ribbons hung across the track, rows of snowflakes suspended in midair on invisible spider web threads.
If a cold wind is blowing, you now need to zip up your warm gear to cross the heath on the boardwalk, but if it is fine, sit on the seat halfway along the boardwalk and enjoy the view of Mt Ruapehu.
Back into the forest again, now much gloomier and mostly stunted mountain "beech" (Fuscospora cliffortioides), the track descends to the foot of the waterfall. The waterfall is on your left, but if you later go rock-hopping 50 metres further downstream the stream bed widens out and becomes sunnier, flatter and drier, with a big flat rock a great place for a picnic.
If you have more time and more energy for exploring, the track does go on further past the falls. Cross the river, climb the steps up the far bank, take the left fork at the top of the ridge, and 30 minutes later you will be at Blyth Hut with a great view. Or take the right fork gently descending an easy boardwalk that goes on forever, and 30 minutes will get you to the vertiginous swingbridge across the Mangateitei.
After another five-minute climb, the track levels out, and along here after a snowfall I once saw magical fairy ribbons hung across the track, rows of snowflakes suspended in midair on invisible spider web threads.
If a cold wind is blowing, you now need to zip up your warm gear to cross the heath on the boardwalk, but if it is fine, sit on the seat halfway along the boardwalk and enjoy the view of Mt Ruapehu.
Back into the forest again, now much gloomier and mostly stunted mountain "beech" (Fuscospora cliffortioides), the track descends to the foot of the waterfall. The waterfall is on your left, but if you later go rock-hopping 50 metres further downstream the stream bed widens out and becomes sunnier, flatter and drier, with a big flat rock a great place for a picnic.
If you have more time and more energy for exploring, the track does go on further past the falls. Cross the river, climb the steps up the far bank, take the left fork at the top of the ridge, and 30 minutes later you will be at Blyth Hut with a great view. Or take the right fork gently descending an easy boardwalk that goes on forever, and 30 minutes will get you to the vertiginous swingbridge across the Mangateitei.
Written 24 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ZCashin2014
Chichester, UK127 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Me and my husband came across this walk in the lonely planet. Need about 1-2 hours to have a nice stroll up. Some of the inclines make you feel like you are working but not bad at all. The views make everything worth it. You get to the top of the incline just before the waterfall and the view is breath taking!! On a clear day you want to just pause time it’s beautiful. Then you continue and fine a magnificent waterfall. The water is clear and all you can hear is the sound of the forest and water falling. Devine. Take a towel because a paddle in the stream is lovely and you get a lovely view of the waterfall on the other side of the viewing point.
Written 15 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
doris30nz
Ohakune, New Zealand46 contributions
Nov 2016 • Family
This is a great walk to do and from the board walk you get beautiful views of Mount Ruapehu on a clear day. The reflections in the ponds are just beautiful. I have done this twice now, once down to the waterfall and once just to the boardwalk. Anyone can do it - I am not fit at all and quite a big lady so no excuses and great to just take your time. A few steps down to the waterfall but its so nice when you get there. Maybe take a shower proof light jacket as you are at the mercy of the mountain and the weather can change so fast.
Written 2 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaulK1960
Auckland Central, New Zealand163 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
The bush walk is up to the usual very high Department of Conservation standards, and it's great to also experience an open boardwalk across a swampy tussock area that has fantastic view to Mt Ruapehu. The track end abruptly at the small river below the waterfall, which does not provide a good view of the falls. It was very difficult to cross the river to get a better view (I could not, but my children managed to), but after deciding to get my shoes wet had a great time walking right up to the falls, which comprises the main falls plus a couple of others that are also impressive.
Written 28 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amelia M
Wellington, New Zealand209 contributions
Apr 2021
Highly recommend on a warm, clear day. The views to the mountain are fantastic and the falls are pretty.
We continued on to Blyth Hut, which is a bit more challenging walk, but well worth it.
We continued on to Blyth Hut, which is a bit more challenging walk, but well worth it.
Written 18 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KC1818118
New Zealand48 contributions
Jul 2020 • Friends
Breathtaking views. Easy walk. just Bring a little picnic and enjoy beautiful scenery! Highly recommend anyone.
Written 14 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sonalis551
13 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
My boyfriend and I did this walk on a very cold, cloudy, rainy day (we also briefly got snowed on), therefore we didn't have any views of Ruapehu, but would still give this walk 10/10 purely for the swampy tussock area and the beautiful waterfall at the end - although we did need to cross the river to get a better view of the falls.
The walk itself was not difficult at all, I am extremely unfit and the only part I had difficulty with was a few of the stairs back up from the waterfall.
We would definitely do it again on a nicer day - but if the only day you have to do it is a dreary day, it is 100% still worth it. The rest of the walk through the foresty areas is quite sheltered because of the foliage so we barely noticed the rain for a majority of the walk, it was most noticeable when we were going across the swampy, tussocky area.
Also, if you do this walk, Mangawhero Falls is just 2km up the road from the carpark for the Waitonga Falls walk, so you if you drive you can make a quick detour and visit the Mangawhero Falls while you're up there. The viewpoint for Managwhero falls is only 150m from its carpark, and it isn't as impressive as the Waitonga Falls but worth it if you're that close, and it doesn't require any effort.
The walk itself was not difficult at all, I am extremely unfit and the only part I had difficulty with was a few of the stairs back up from the waterfall.
We would definitely do it again on a nicer day - but if the only day you have to do it is a dreary day, it is 100% still worth it. The rest of the walk through the foresty areas is quite sheltered because of the foliage so we barely noticed the rain for a majority of the walk, it was most noticeable when we were going across the swampy, tussocky area.
Also, if you do this walk, Mangawhero Falls is just 2km up the road from the carpark for the Waitonga Falls walk, so you if you drive you can make a quick detour and visit the Mangawhero Falls while you're up there. The viewpoint for Managwhero falls is only 150m from its carpark, and it isn't as impressive as the Waitonga Falls but worth it if you're that close, and it doesn't require any effort.
Written 29 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ron A
Geelong, Australia204 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
Other walkers told us that the falls were well worth the climb out and they were. The walk in is fairly easy however the steps out may be an effort for some. It was not only the falls that were the highlight for us but also the trees and other vegetation. You can get closer to the falls if you walk around the edge of the stream however care is required. Would be good in winter
Written 27 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this an easy walk for children? Aged 5 and 8. Thank you :)
Written 22 July 2018
Yep, I for keen kids, this is a great walk. Gorgeous views from the boardwalk. For me, this is the highlight so even if they don't get any further, it would be definitely worth it.
Written 23 July 2018
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