From Pahia to Haruru Falls and back
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 9.13 mi
- Elevation gain
- 938 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Easy
- Elevation loss
- 938 ft
- Max elevation
- 76 ft
- TrailRank
- 32
- Min elevation
- -25 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- 2 hours 44 minutes
- Time
- 2 hours 47 minutes
- Coordinates
- 2507
- Uploaded
- December 23, 2023
- Recorded
- December 2023
near Paihia, Northland (New Zealand)
Viewed 82 times, downloaded 0 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
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English version:
The Bay of Islands is not immediately known for its walks, but that is entirely unjustified. Yesterday, I did the splendid loop walk around Russell, and now I'm embarking on an equally magnificent walk to Haruru Falls. The ingredients are somewhat similar to yesterday: rainforest, mangroves, and mosses, although this walk is noticeably easier than yesterday's.
The ideal scenario is actually to be dropped off at Haruru Falls by a van or car and then walk the trail back to the hotel from the waterfalls. Unfortunately, I didn't have that option, so I had to rely on my own two feet to get there. I start at my hotel (Kingsgate), which means a short half-hour walk along the coastline, accompanied by a lot of cars. Not exactly the most inspiring part of this walk, although the coastline can still occasionally capture my interest. At Waitangi Treaty Grounds, culture-loving hikers can pop in for a visit, but I skip it this time. Not that I'm indifferent to culture, but it simply doesn't appeal to me. The walk, on the other hand, does, and it starts somewhat strangely at a golf course.
Through a small shortcut path on the far left, I spot a turnstile, and then the five-kilometer walk to the waterfalls begins. After yesterday's hike, the trail has few surprises, showcasing familiar elements. However, the path is exceptionally well-maintained, providing a stable walking surface. A river keeps me company, and after a few hundred meters, there's already a beautiful viewpoint overlooking this river. The trail is slightly undulating, especially at the beginning and end of this segment. The forest looks beautiful with its green hues and, for me, exotic trees, but after yesterday's splendor, it's less overwhelming. However, if this is your first walk in the Bay of Islands, your eyes will be captivated.
The most beautiful part for me, however, is a bit further, as I walk wonderfully over a boardwalk through the mangroves. These mangroves look picture-perfect, and with the wooden floating path, you're essentially an honored guest in this mangrove spectacle. Rarely do you get so close to mangroves on a walk like here. The green color of the water adds extra flair to this place, and I'm completely alone as I stroll along the mangrove forest. These are the moments that hikers cherish doubly.
After kilometer three, the rainforest takes center stage again, and parakeets like to make themselves heard here. The path winds about ten meters above the river and is also not very wide. I won't call this dangerous, but it's clear that you should be careful where you step. In the distance, I hear the waterfalls roaring, and after about five kilometers (from the turnstile), I reach the falls. These waterfalls are beautiful but not very imposing if you've seen a fair share of waterfalls. Nevertheless, this is certainly a mandatory photo stop, but the value of this walk lies in the overall experience and not just at the waterfalls.
I turn back and return via the same path. At the beginning of the trail, there's a warning sign that you should have 'medium fitness' and that the walk takes about 1.5 hours. I completed it in less than an hour, and I am the total opposite of a fitness guru. In other words, this trail is doable for anyone who walks a bit. At the same pace, I return to the starting point, and through a field, I can shave off a few hundred meters of the total route by taking a shortcut. The last two kilometers require a bit of autopilot to finally arrive back at my hotel after almost fifteen kilometers.
Even after yesterday's fantastic walk, this is also a beautiful walk, with the highlight being the boardwalk through the mangrove forest where you get the chance to be exceptionally close to these forest giants. The trail is slightly undulating but is otherwise suitable for everyone. If possible, it's best to do it one way, but it's certainly not a punishment to walk this route twice. However, a bit of repetition is inevitable.
Dutch version:
De Bay of Islands staat niet onmiddellijk bekend omwille van zijn wandelingen, maar dat is geheel onterecht. Gisteren maakte ik de schitterende luswandeling rondom Russell en nu maak ik een eveneens schitterende wandeling naar Haruru Falls. De ingrediënten zijn een beetje hetzelfde als gisteren: regenwoud, mangroves en mossen, hoewel deze wandeling toch wel beduidend gemakkelijker is dan die van gisteren.
The best scenario is actually to get dropped off at Haruru Falls by van or car and then hike from the falls back to the hotel. Unfortunately I didn't have that option and so I had to use my legs to get there. So I start at my hotel (Kingsgate) and that means walking along the coastline for about half an hour where I am accompanied by a lot of cars. Not exactly the most inspiring part of this walk, although the coastline can still fascinate me every now and then. Culture-loving walking tourists can drop by at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but I'll skip this for now. Not that I'm a cool lover of culture, but this simply doesn't appeal to me. The walk all the more and strangely enough it starts at a golf course.
Via a small path on the far left I see a turning gate and then the five-kilometre walk to the waterfalls can begin. After my walk yesterday, the route has few surprises and therefore features the well-known recipes. The path is very well maintained and you can walk very stable here. A river keeps me company here and after a few hundred meters there is already a beautiful viewpoint overlooking this river. The route is slightly uneven, especially at the beginning and end of this route. The forest looks beautiful with its green colors and - for me - exotic trees, but after yesterday's splendor, this is less overwhelming for me. However, if this is your first walk in the Bay of Islands, you will be spoiled for choice.
The most beautiful part for me, however, is a little further away, because here I walk beautifully through the mangroves on a wooden path. These mangroves look great and with the wooden floating path you are actually a guest of honor in this mangrove spectacle. Rarely do you come so close to mangroves as you do here. The green color of the water gives some extra cachet to this place and I am completely alone when I walk past the mangrove forest. These are the moments that you, as a walker, cherish twice as much.
After kilometer three, the rainforest dominates again and parakeets like to make themselves heard here. The path meanders about ten meters above the river and is not very wide. I'm not going to call this dangerous, but it is clear that you should be careful where you put your feet. In the distance I hear the waterfalls thundering and after about five kilometers (from the turning gate) I arrive at the waterfalls. These waterfalls are beautiful, but not very impressive if you have already seen some more waterfalls. Yet this is certainly a mandatory photo stop, but the value of this walk lies in the overall picture and not just at the waterfalls.
I turn around and return via the same path. At the start of the path there is a warning sign that you must have a 'medium fitness' and that the walk takes about 1.5 hours. I did this in just under an hour and I'm the total antipode of a fitness guru. In other words, this trail is doable for anyone who does a little walking. I return to the start at the same pace and through a field I can cut a few hundred meters off the total route by taking a shortcut. The last two kilometers take some time to clear your mind and finally arrive back at my hotel after almost fifteen kilometers.
Even after yesterday's fantastic walk, this is also a beautiful walk with the highlight being the boardwalk through the mangrove forest where you get the chance to be particularly close to these forest giants. The route is slightly uneven, but otherwise easy to do for everyone. If you can, it is best to do it in one direction, but it is certainly not a punishment to walk this route twice. However, a bit of repetition is inevitable.
The Bay of Islands is not immediately known for its walks, but that is entirely unjustified. Yesterday, I did the splendid loop walk around Russell, and now I'm embarking on an equally magnificent walk to Haruru Falls. The ingredients are somewhat similar to yesterday: rainforest, mangroves, and mosses, although this walk is noticeably easier than yesterday's.
The ideal scenario is actually to be dropped off at Haruru Falls by a van or car and then walk the trail back to the hotel from the waterfalls. Unfortunately, I didn't have that option, so I had to rely on my own two feet to get there. I start at my hotel (Kingsgate), which means a short half-hour walk along the coastline, accompanied by a lot of cars. Not exactly the most inspiring part of this walk, although the coastline can still occasionally capture my interest. At Waitangi Treaty Grounds, culture-loving hikers can pop in for a visit, but I skip it this time. Not that I'm indifferent to culture, but it simply doesn't appeal to me. The walk, on the other hand, does, and it starts somewhat strangely at a golf course.
Through a small shortcut path on the far left, I spot a turnstile, and then the five-kilometer walk to the waterfalls begins. After yesterday's hike, the trail has few surprises, showcasing familiar elements. However, the path is exceptionally well-maintained, providing a stable walking surface. A river keeps me company, and after a few hundred meters, there's already a beautiful viewpoint overlooking this river. The trail is slightly undulating, especially at the beginning and end of this segment. The forest looks beautiful with its green hues and, for me, exotic trees, but after yesterday's splendor, it's less overwhelming. However, if this is your first walk in the Bay of Islands, your eyes will be captivated.
The most beautiful part for me, however, is a bit further, as I walk wonderfully over a boardwalk through the mangroves. These mangroves look picture-perfect, and with the wooden floating path, you're essentially an honored guest in this mangrove spectacle. Rarely do you get so close to mangroves on a walk like here. The green color of the water adds extra flair to this place, and I'm completely alone as I stroll along the mangrove forest. These are the moments that hikers cherish doubly.
After kilometer three, the rainforest takes center stage again, and parakeets like to make themselves heard here. The path winds about ten meters above the river and is also not very wide. I won't call this dangerous, but it's clear that you should be careful where you step. In the distance, I hear the waterfalls roaring, and after about five kilometers (from the turnstile), I reach the falls. These waterfalls are beautiful but not very imposing if you've seen a fair share of waterfalls. Nevertheless, this is certainly a mandatory photo stop, but the value of this walk lies in the overall experience and not just at the waterfalls.
I turn back and return via the same path. At the beginning of the trail, there's a warning sign that you should have 'medium fitness' and that the walk takes about 1.5 hours. I completed it in less than an hour, and I am the total opposite of a fitness guru. In other words, this trail is doable for anyone who walks a bit. At the same pace, I return to the starting point, and through a field, I can shave off a few hundred meters of the total route by taking a shortcut. The last two kilometers require a bit of autopilot to finally arrive back at my hotel after almost fifteen kilometers.
Even after yesterday's fantastic walk, this is also a beautiful walk, with the highlight being the boardwalk through the mangrove forest where you get the chance to be exceptionally close to these forest giants. The trail is slightly undulating but is otherwise suitable for everyone. If possible, it's best to do it one way, but it's certainly not a punishment to walk this route twice. However, a bit of repetition is inevitable.
Dutch version:
De Bay of Islands staat niet onmiddellijk bekend omwille van zijn wandelingen, maar dat is geheel onterecht. Gisteren maakte ik de schitterende luswandeling rondom Russell en nu maak ik een eveneens schitterende wandeling naar Haruru Falls. De ingrediënten zijn een beetje hetzelfde als gisteren: regenwoud, mangroves en mossen, hoewel deze wandeling toch wel beduidend gemakkelijker is dan die van gisteren.
The best scenario is actually to get dropped off at Haruru Falls by van or car and then hike from the falls back to the hotel. Unfortunately I didn't have that option and so I had to use my legs to get there. So I start at my hotel (Kingsgate) and that means walking along the coastline for about half an hour where I am accompanied by a lot of cars. Not exactly the most inspiring part of this walk, although the coastline can still fascinate me every now and then. Culture-loving walking tourists can drop by at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but I'll skip this for now. Not that I'm a cool lover of culture, but this simply doesn't appeal to me. The walk all the more and strangely enough it starts at a golf course.
Via a small path on the far left I see a turning gate and then the five-kilometre walk to the waterfalls can begin. After my walk yesterday, the route has few surprises and therefore features the well-known recipes. The path is very well maintained and you can walk very stable here. A river keeps me company here and after a few hundred meters there is already a beautiful viewpoint overlooking this river. The route is slightly uneven, especially at the beginning and end of this route. The forest looks beautiful with its green colors and - for me - exotic trees, but after yesterday's splendor, this is less overwhelming for me. However, if this is your first walk in the Bay of Islands, you will be spoiled for choice.
The most beautiful part for me, however, is a little further away, because here I walk beautifully through the mangroves on a wooden path. These mangroves look great and with the wooden floating path you are actually a guest of honor in this mangrove spectacle. Rarely do you come so close to mangroves as you do here. The green color of the water gives some extra cachet to this place and I am completely alone when I walk past the mangrove forest. These are the moments that you, as a walker, cherish twice as much.
After kilometer three, the rainforest dominates again and parakeets like to make themselves heard here. The path meanders about ten meters above the river and is not very wide. I'm not going to call this dangerous, but it is clear that you should be careful where you put your feet. In the distance I hear the waterfalls thundering and after about five kilometers (from the turning gate) I arrive at the waterfalls. These waterfalls are beautiful, but not very impressive if you have already seen some more waterfalls. Yet this is certainly a mandatory photo stop, but the value of this walk lies in the overall picture and not just at the waterfalls.
I turn around and return via the same path. At the start of the path there is a warning sign that you must have a 'medium fitness' and that the walk takes about 1.5 hours. I did this in just under an hour and I'm the total antipode of a fitness guru. In other words, this trail is doable for anyone who does a little walking. I return to the start at the same pace and through a field I can cut a few hundred meters off the total route by taking a shortcut. The last two kilometers take some time to clear your mind and finally arrive back at my hotel after almost fifteen kilometers.
Even after yesterday's fantastic walk, this is also a beautiful walk with the highlight being the boardwalk through the mangrove forest where you get the chance to be particularly close to these forest giants. The route is slightly uneven, but otherwise easy to do for everyone. If you can, it is best to do it in one direction, but it is certainly not a punishment to walk this route twice. However, a bit of repetition is inevitable.
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