Overview

Hype:

Mangapohue Natural Bridge is a highlight on the scenic drive from Waitomo Village to Marokopa. The track follows a boardwalk through an impressive limestone gorge that takes you underneath a natural bridge. The 17 m high limestone arch, which spans the Mangapohue Stream, is all that remains of an ancient cave system. From here the track becomes stepped and passes under the bridge giving a superb view of the ceiling studded with stalactite-like formations and an excellent view back down the gorge. The track continues for over farmland. Follow the marker posts around to the right and up the hill where you can see 25 million year old fossilized oysters exposed in the limestone outcrops. Follow the marker posts until you cross a stile back into the reserve heading back to the car park.

Trail Condition: Class 1 (Trail is either paved or gravel. Navigation skills are not needed because there is only one trail or because there are signs. Elevation gains are gradual or there are stairs.)

Time: 30 minutes

Length: 0.5 mile loop

Elevation Gain: 120 ft

Fees: None

Recommended Ages:

	0-3
	4-11
	12-19
	20-49
	50-69
	70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Links: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/waikato/places/waitomo-area/tracks/mangapohue-natural-bridge-walk/

Maps

Closest City or Region: Te Anga, New Zealand

Coordinates: -38.261327, 174.899361

Interactive Guide Map

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November 17, 2022 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Tara Dye, Savannah Dye,

Story

We stopped to look at Mangapohue Natural Bridge. The trail to the natural bridge was closed, but Tara and I went around the sign anyway. Savannah didn't want to be a rule breaker, so she sat on the stump at the start and waited for us to do the hike out there and back. We ran into a bunch of really prickly bushes and Tara didn't have a jacket on, plus she was worried about Savannah, so she turned back. I grabbed a few pictures of the natural bridge, which was actually two with the river running through the lower one. So that was pretty cool.

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Pictures