Ruakuri Walk
Ruakuri Walk
5
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5.0
381 reviews
Excellent
306
Very good
65
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8
Poor
1
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1
KiwiExplorers
Brisbane, Australia91 contributions
Dec 2021
Excellent short walk with interesting views of limestone tunnels and formations and native bush. Even saw a few glow worms in one of the caves. The walk itself is well maintained, with boardwalks and steps and stone track for most of it. It took us about 45 minutes to complete the walk. There are quite a lot of steps and some people may find these tiring, so take your time. One section of boardwalk is suspended about 15m above the river on the edge of a cliff- those afraid of heights may not like this part. For the budget conscious traveller, Waitomo offers many short walks that are free to access that are still very enjoyable and scenic when compared to the paid cave experiences. We would also recommend checking out Piripiri Cave, The Waitomo walkway, Opapaka Pa walkway, Mangapohue Natural Bridge and the Marokopa Falls, which are all free and nearby.
Written 1 January 2022
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.
Acineto
Auckland Central, New Zealand24,094 contributions
Apr 2021
If you were wanting to do the bushwalk then it would be better to park in carpark B since it is right outside the starting point. The carpark is also where the Waitomo Walkway ends. The bushwalk is free and not very difficult. It goes around a couple of loops so you end up back in the carpark.
Follow the signs to the natural tunnel viewing platform. There were a few caves on the side of the trail which was accessible. The caves have lots of stalagmites and stalactites as well as cave wetas. It is advisable to have a torch if you go in since it is quite dark. There are also quite a few tunnels along the path which makes the walk very interesting. The walls of the cliffs look like they were man-made and formed from bricks. It was great waving around the caves as well as being over the stream and rivers. The viewing platform itself looked out into a large cave. You can also spot a few glowworms residing in the roof crevices.
It was a really enjoyable walk which has a bit of everything. Worth a stop if you are in the area for some fresh air and beautiful sights.
Follow the signs to the natural tunnel viewing platform. There were a few caves on the side of the trail which was accessible. The caves have lots of stalagmites and stalactites as well as cave wetas. It is advisable to have a torch if you go in since it is quite dark. There are also quite a few tunnels along the path which makes the walk very interesting. The walls of the cliffs look like they were man-made and formed from bricks. It was great waving around the caves as well as being over the stream and rivers. The viewing platform itself looked out into a large cave. You can also spot a few glowworms residing in the roof crevices.
It was a really enjoyable walk which has a bit of everything. Worth a stop if you are in the area for some fresh air and beautiful sights.
Written 4 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.
Hayley R
Thames, New Zealand15 contributions
Nov 2020 • Family
What an amazing place!
We visited Waitomo Caves first which was amazing but in a different way to this place. The circular entrance way is incredible and once inside the caves you won't be disappointed.
Our guide, Mitch, was great and was really good with our kids (ages 14 and 12). He was informative and fun.
Definitely worth the visit
We visited Waitomo Caves first which was amazing but in a different way to this place. The circular entrance way is incredible and once inside the caves you won't be disappointed.
Our guide, Mitch, was great and was really good with our kids (ages 14 and 12). He was informative and fun.
Definitely worth the visit
Written 1 November 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.
Moises07
Tampa, FL51 contributions
Dec 2022
Do this walk as the sun sets so you can appreciate the beauty then do a second loop in full darkness so you can see hundreds of glow worms. This is a very safe walk with board walks, and railings. Still use caution as you look around.
Written 3 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.
ingridh173
Nelson, New Zealand140 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
This 40min walk takes you through Bush, limestone formations and short tunnels. A bit slippery in places after rain, but no problem with good walking shoes. Well worth a visit. In fact, we went back for a second visit the next day.
Written 27 July 2022
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.
Miguelsancheese
Hamilton, New Zealand45 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Bundled into the card, picked up grandad, headed on down the road from Hamilton to Waitomo. Not feeling super flush with cash, we were off for the free unguided Ruakuri walk. It’s not super long, not super hard and has some amazing natural air conditioning at the beginning and end (cool air venting out of a cave). Great bush sounds, fantastically maintained track. We have been before, and will go back.
Written 2 April 2022
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.
LY W
9 contributions
Jun 2022
Go during the day to see the cliffs, trees and rushing waters. Then go again after dark to see the glow worms. It is worth the effort to go twice. But bring a torch for the night walk as it is very dark. If the sky is clear, pause at the car park, and you may see a beautiful starry sky.
Written 23 June 2022
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.
WCOB
Paekakariki, New Zealand647 contributions
May 2021 • Solo
I completed the loop before my visit to the Ruakuri cave. It's an easy walk and being the only person in the lovely bush was paradise. Definitely worth the time and effort.
Written 9 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.
Brett
Papamoa, New Zealand2,027 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
When you are reading these reviews, be aware that a number of people are reviewing the Ruakuri Cave attraction. The Ruakuri Cave is a paid attraction - a commercial cave tour, often done as part of the Glowworm Caves Combo ticket. It is a fascinating cave to visit as part of a tour, but the correct Tripadvisor reviews for the commercial Ruakuri Cave tour can be found at:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Attraction_Review-g616349-d1869965-Reviews-Ruakuri_Cave-Waitomo_Caves_Waikato_Region_North_Island.html
The Upper Ruakuri Caves and Bush Scenic Reserve is the forest park in which the Ruakuri Cave is located. It comprises densely forested valleys and rushing streams that wind their way in and out of the Ruakuri Cave system. There is a carpark and picnic/BBQ area with toilets at the bottom of the valley next to the Ruakuri and Aranui Caves. From here, a high quality 30 minute hiking trail winds its way up and down one of the valleys, with great views of the stream, caves and dense forest. It really is a fabulous walk (although there are quite a lot of steps), and the best part is that it is completely free of charge.
The Upper Ruakuri Scenic Walk
http://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Attraction_Review-g616349-d1869965-Reviews-Ruakuri_Cave-Waitomo_Caves_Waikato_Region_North_Island.html
The Upper Ruakuri Caves and Bush Scenic Reserve is the forest park in which the Ruakuri Cave is located. It comprises densely forested valleys and rushing streams that wind their way in and out of the Ruakuri Cave system. There is a carpark and picnic/BBQ area with toilets at the bottom of the valley next to the Ruakuri and Aranui Caves. From here, a high quality 30 minute hiking trail winds its way up and down one of the valleys, with great views of the stream, caves and dense forest. It really is a fabulous walk (although there are quite a lot of steps), and the best part is that it is completely free of charge.
The Upper Ruakuri Scenic Walk
Written 5 August 2014
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.
Brett
Papamoa, New Zealand2,027 contributions
Oct 2013 • Family
I love this walk.
I have done it many, many times, and taken many international visitors, and they are always blown away. It has beautiful bush, rushing streams, dense primeval rainforest, and fantastic views of the limestone and cave environment - the track winds its way through a number of small tunnels, and has some viewing platforms inside large cave systems. In the evening the lower section of the walk has glow worms. The start of the walk, at the Aranui Cave carpark, has a delightful picnic area, with electric BBQs, clean toilets, picnic tables, and interpretive panels explaing about the cave and river environment. It makes a fantastic compliment to an underground visit to one of the popular commercial cave tours, and is short enough that it can be fitted into just about any visit to Waitomo.
Unfortunately there are a lot of wooden stairs up and down, and the odd tunnel to navigate, so it is not possible to do this walk if you are mobility impaired, need a wheelchair, or with a child in a buggy.
If New Zealand ever creates a category of New Zealand's Great "short" Walks, the upper Ruakuri Scenic walk would be top of my vote list!
I have done it many, many times, and taken many international visitors, and they are always blown away. It has beautiful bush, rushing streams, dense primeval rainforest, and fantastic views of the limestone and cave environment - the track winds its way through a number of small tunnels, and has some viewing platforms inside large cave systems. In the evening the lower section of the walk has glow worms. The start of the walk, at the Aranui Cave carpark, has a delightful picnic area, with electric BBQs, clean toilets, picnic tables, and interpretive panels explaing about the cave and river environment. It makes a fantastic compliment to an underground visit to one of the popular commercial cave tours, and is short enough that it can be fitted into just about any visit to Waitomo.
Unfortunately there are a lot of wooden stairs up and down, and the odd tunnel to navigate, so it is not possible to do this walk if you are mobility impaired, need a wheelchair, or with a child in a buggy.
If New Zealand ever creates a category of New Zealand's Great "short" Walks, the upper Ruakuri Scenic walk would be top of my vote list!
Written 28 October 2013
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.
Hi there! Anyone know if this walk is currently open for night walks?
Written 30 December 2024
How do I get more information about Ruakuri Walk. We are staying a Waitomo Caves Hotel.
Written 17 August 2018
Hi. I wonder how much time you took for the walk?
Written 29 March 2018
Hi. Roughly 30 mins. 1 hour if you take your time.
Written 29 March 2018
Yes, it took us 2.5 hours from near Auckland airport to the caves. This was in a motorhome and driving steadily.
Written 29 December 2014
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