Ngatoro Track @ Top Tracks.info

Where is it? This track is easily confused with the Ngatoro Loop. They are very different! This track descends for two to two and a half hours from the North Egmont Visitor Centre to the Mangaoraka car park and picnic area part way up the access road. It is no loop! With the number of streams to get in and out of, fallen trees to clamber over or under, it would make for a very tedious trip with a group. With the stream crossings in mind, and a reasonable quantity of mud, a dry day is recommended for this walk. From Mangaoraka you encounter your first stream crossing almost immediately and it’s not too difficult, shortly after is the Waiongana River crossing, shown in the photo. This is the biggest, the rest are like the first. Once the track begins its gentle climb the streams cease being a problem. When you reach the notably steeper section you are almost at the Visitor Centre. You will next encounter the bottom of the Connett Loop going to your right. A mountain lookout is next on the left down a short side track, back on the main track the Maketawa track and Ngatoro Loop head to the left. Continue straight on another few metres to the lower car park at the Visitor Centre.
Features Streams, and fallen trees! Track Surface Variable, not pleasant after or during rain. Accessibility I couldn’t recommend this track to school groups. You would need the whole day. The more athletic pupils would think nothing of it, but the rest of the group wouldn’t thank you for the experience. The stream crossings would require much waiting as only one at a time could get down, cross and up the other side. There are no passing lanes in these places. Dangers It isn’t an unsafe track, usual care is required, if it’s raining, beware, the streams and rivers rise very rapidly.

This information was gathered while on site in 2004.

Where is it?

This track is easily confused with the Ngatoro Loop. They are very different! This track descends for two to two and a half hours from the North Egmont Visitor Centre to the Mangaoraka car park and picnic area part way up the access road. It is no loop!

With the number of streams to get in and out of, fallen trees to clamber over or under, it would make for a very tedious trip with a group. With the stream crossings in mind, and a reasonable quantity of mud, a dry day is recommended for this walk.

From Mangaoraka you encounter your first stream crossing almost immediately and it’s not too difficult, shortly after is the Waiongana River crossing, shown in the photo. This is the biggest, the rest are like the first.

Once the track begins its gentle climb the streams cease being a problem. When you reach the notably steeper section you are almost at the Visitor Centre. You will next encounter the bottom of the Connett Loop going to your right. A mountain lookout is next on the left down a short side track, back on the main track the Maketawa track and Ngatoro Loop head to the left. Continue straight on another few metres to the lower car park at the Visitor Centre.


Ngatoro Track
DoC recommended times and track type:
2-2.5 hours each way
day tramping track
This track involves a steady climb or descent with several stream crossings and fallen trees contributing to a walk with a difference. The majority of the track is evenly graded with only one steeper section at the Visitor Centre end.