Kauaeranga Valley / Pinnacles

Kauaeranga Valley / Pinnacles
Coromandel Range

This is a very good trip for an overnight or a weekend, you can extend longer if you so wish. There are a lot of options within Kauaeranga Valley, however the Pinnacles is one of my favourite choices.

I often use this trip as my training preparation for any week long trips.


Location

Start Kauaeranga Valley road-end, Thames
Finish Kauaeranga Valley road-end, Thames

Kauaeranga Valley / Thames is an 1 1/2 hours drive from Auckland.

DOC Kauaeranga Visitor Centre is located on Kauaeranga Velley Road. It is suggested to take some time to visit the visitor centre as it contains history of the area.


Suggested Itinerary

Day 1 Kauaeranga Valley road-end - Pinnacles Hut
Webb Creek Track via Hydrocamp
2 ½ - 3 Hours
Day 2 Pinnacles Hut - Kauaeranga Valley road-end
Billy Goat Track via Hydrocamp
3 - 3 ½ Hours


Track Profile:

Currently not available.


 

Day 1:

At the road-end is where Webb Creek track starts. It first follows up the gravel road to the old road-end, it then enters some bush briefly before getting to the first river crossing. You have the option of going high-river route which is across a wire bridge or straight across the river. When the river is low (most of the time) it is possible to rock-hop across or otherwise prepare to get your boots wet.

Once across you will start heading up the valley. To get to the Pinnacles hut, it is mostly uphill. Before you hit the first set of steps you come to a Y intersection with Moss Creek track. Ensure you take the right track, which is the first set of steps uphill.

There are a couple of river crossings on the way up the valley, they all have high-river bridges.

Hydrocamp is a good place to stop and have a break. For early morning starters this is a good place to have lunch. DOC have been clearing out the gorse in this area and it is slowing returning back to how I first remembered the place.

Again after Hydrocamp it is uphill but the worst of it is over. You are basically following a ridge round to the Pinnacles Hut. Parts of this track can be exposed in bad weather and also watch your footings.

Finally you will hit another Y intersection. Take the right track down hill to the hut.



Day 2:

Follow the track back to Hydrocamp. Then take the left track where you will head uphill until you reach a saddle and then it is basically downhill all the way back to the road-end.

 

 


Maps



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Further Information


 

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