The Ngamoko Track is the starting point for several walks, offering varying lengths and intensities. The walks commence opposite a wide open clearing and car parking marked Whaitiri Point.
Walk to Ngamoko Range Summit
The track climbs, steeply at times, through dense forest. At lower altitudes the variety of forest trees is superb: light green tawa, red and silver beech trees, tall rimu with draping golden green leaves, and the mighty northern rata. Higher up, above a row of sandstone bluffs, cooler temperatures and strong winds means the forest is dominated by the hardy silver beech. At the summit itself (1099m), gaps in the vegetation give glorious views of the length of Lake Waikaremoana in one direction, and green farmland ridges stretching away towards Gisborne and Wairoa in the other. Just a few minutes beyond the top Tawa Walk detour (see below) is one of the biggest rata trees in the country. It is around 1,000 years since it began life as a germinating seed high in the forks of a tree that itself was probably 400-500 years old. 2hr30min one way to the summit.
Tawa Walk
Follow the Ngamoko Track from Whaitiri Point for a short distance, then turn left onto the Tawa circuit. One highlight is the delicate willow-like yellow green foliage of the tawa tree. Another spectacular sight is the number of northern rata of various ages growing on their host trees. The northern rata begins life as an epiphyte perched high in the forks of another tree, usually a mature rimu. Its roots descend the host’s trunk to reach the secure water and nutrient supply in the soil. As the rata grows its roots/stems thicken and coalesce, and the host tree reaches old age, dies and decays. The rata becomes freestanding and often grows to a massive size. The rata’s legendary toughness is reflected in its scientific name, “Metrosideros” meaning iron-hearted. The Tawa Walk rejoins to the Ngamoko Track further up the track - where walkers can elect to return back down to the Whaitiri Point start (30min loop), continue the short distance further up the Ngamoko Track up to the large rata (a further 5min each way), or continue on the Ngamoko Track to the summit (as above).
Lake Kaitawa via Ngamoko Track
This is an extension of the Ngamoko Range Summit walk, extending your tramp to a full 8 hour day. It's a one way tramp - you'll need to arrange your own transport from Kaitawa at the end of the tramp. Near Ngamoko summit, a turn off to the right indicates the start of a long ridge which descends gradually through forest to Lake Kaitawa. There are good views in places.
Information thanks to the Department of Conservation