Mount Pirongia and the nearby Pahautea Hut are situated in Pirongia Forest Park in the North Island of New Zealand. There are as many as seven different tramping tracks that lead to Mount Pirongia Summit and Pahautea Hut, ranging from three to ten hours one way. Some of these tracks can be combined to form a loop, such as Bell Track and Tahuanui Track, which are the longest (22.4km) and hardest ones.
On this trip, we did an overnight loop by combining Ruapane Track, Tirohanga Track and Makaukura Track (17km). We parked and started at Mangakara Nature Walk Parking, where a link track connects us to Ruapane Track, to the junction of Tirohanga Track, and to Mount Pirongia Summit and Pahautea Hut. On the next day, we took Mahaukura Track back to the car park.
Members of this hike consist of two experienced adults and five kids (6-10 years old). We met another two adults and two kids at the hut. Online booking for Pahautea Hut is required.
Mount Pirongia Summit Track - Day 1
Link Track & Ruapane Track
We started our hike at 7.25am.
(+54)8.19am
(+27)8.46am
(+12)8.58am: The track follows a ridge that becomes steeper towards Ruapane Trig.
(+51)9.49am
(+6)9.55am
(+4)9.59am: Arrived at Ruapane Trig (723m).
The view at Ruapane Trig.
Tirohanga Track to Mount Pirongia Summit & Pahautea Hut
10.28am: After a break at the trig, we continued on Tirohanga Track. Mount Karioi can be seen from here.
(+5)10.33am: Climbing up a steep rock climbing track assisted by chains.
(+57)11.30am: Passing by Tirohanga Bluff, we decided to take a short side trip to climb to the top of the bluff.
(+35)12.05pm: Some descent after the bluff.
(+41)12.46pm: And then climbing uphill again towards Pirongia summit.
Looks like a giant mosquito!
(+55)1.41pm: Pirongia summit in sight. If you zoom into the peak you can see the viewing tower on the summit.
Mount Pirongia Summit (959m)
(+29)2.10pm: Arrived at the viewing tower on Mount Pirongia Summit.
The views from Pirongia summit.
Pahautea Hut & Campsite
(+35)2.45pm: Continued on from the summit, we first passed by Pahautea Campsite, a couple minutes before arriving at Pahautea Hut.
We got to savor a beautiful sunset from the deck of Pahautea Hut!
Next morning, getting ready to head back home.
P.s. Faces in the photos are covered to protect the children’s privacy.
Mount Pirongia Summit Track - Day 2
Mahaukura Track To Car Park
9.15am: Heading back to the car park using a different route via Mahaukura Track.
(+59)10.14am: Some big tree roots for the little ones to climb over, but they handled it really well!
(+9)10.23am: A very muddy path, but the kids had fun laughing at each other.
Well not too bad haha.
(+78)11.51am
(+112)1.43pm: A big climb towards Mahaukura Lookout (902m).
(+17)2pm: Followed by a steep rock climbing down from the lookout.
The view from Mahaukura Lookout.
(+28)2.28pm: Another big climb towards Wharauroa Lookout (850m).
(+1)2.29pm
(+12)2.41pm: At this point the kids were so looking forward to finishing the hike.
(+51)3.32pm: Not too far from the exit…
We exited the track in the evening. Back at the house in Cambridge, I can still see Pirongia from the hill. <3
Have this guide helped you? Tag @meowtainpeople in your hiking stories & posts!
*Captain Planet passing by* Remember, please take care of our environment, and please don’t destroy the Nature. Leave no trash behind and take back only photos and memories (and also some trash if you can). Walk on the designated path and stay in the middle as much as you can, so that the exposed soil doesn’t spread/corrode further. BE ONE WITH NATURE *flies away*
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