Off-lead OKModerate
Huka Falls to Aratiatia Rapids
Taupo · Waikato · Out & Back
↑ 162 m gain↓ 163 m descenthigh 385 msteepest 12 %
DISTANCE15.4 km
ASCENT162 m
DURATION4–4.5 hr
STEEPEST12 %
ROUTEOut & Back
RATING · HIKERS 4.1 · 245
DOG EFFORT3.2 /5 paws
PARKING20 m away
Nearest emergency vetBay After Hours Veterinary Hospital (BAHVET), Tauranga
07 220 9775
The route
Good to know
Dogs can run off-lead here, one of only 287 tracks in Aotearoa where that’s allowed.
Check the water before the dog swims. Toxic algae blooms in NZ rivers and lakes can kill a dog within hours. Scan the LAWA water quality map in warm months and keep dogs away from dark slime on rocks.
About Huka Falls to Aratiatia Rapids
This big track follows 15.4 km as an out-and-back, near Taupo in Waikato.
It sits at the moderate end and gains roughly 162 m, pitching up to 12 % at its steepest, and takes about 4–4.5 hr to walk.
Walkers come for beach walking, native forest, lakeside stretches, and river frontage. Dogs are allowed off the lead on this one. Hikers rate it 4.1 / 5 across 245 reviews.