Time: 1 hour 5mins 

Skill:  Low 

SNO Rating:   3/5

Travel distance from SNO: 

Having a young family can be challenging but it’s not something that should hold you back from getting out in the outdoors. 

The Mangawhero Forest walk is 1hr & 5min loop walk which heads towards Mount Rupehu from the Ohaukune township. The track is well maintained and suitable for pushchairs which makes it an ideal walk for families.  

Start to the Mangawhero Forest Walk

We headed off from the car park at the base of Mountain Road with a child in a pushchair and my wife with our youngest in a wrap. We walked the track in a clockwise direction which took us over a small bridge over the Mangawhero Stream before heading through large established Matai trees.  The track gently inclines as you sidle the hill side on its way to the half way point which is the Mangawhero Doc camp before. From there you cross Mountian Road where the track starts to head back down the southern side of the road. The track has a very gentle decline with quite a few tree roots on this side as it heads back to the car park.

View of the Mangawhero Stream from the west side of the loop.

Tip:  5mins down the track from the Mangawhero campsite there is an ideal swimming hole.