Trail Distance: 2.8 km
Elevation Gain: 240m (~800 ft)
Terrain Rating: Easy
Hike In: 11:45AM
Hike Out: 12:50PM
Trailhead: Rurumoki Street for the Drummond Track. Map here.
Mount Parihaka is a popular hike for Whangarei locals. There are many trails in the Mount Parihaka Scenic Reserve but we decided to opt for the Drummond Track. The hike itself is short but the elevation will get your heart pumping. You’ll start out at the carpark before crossing a bridge. There are a few people feeding ducks along this river. It’s also a nice place for a picnic lunch. The ascent begins immediately, but they’ve put steps to help you out with footing. Sneakers (trainers) should be ok, no hiking boots necessary.
At the top, we were rewarded with sweeping views of the city and harbor. There is some historical information about the mountain as well. We took a few photos and headed back to the car park. I would highly recommend this hike for a short burst of adventure if you’re staying in the Whangarei area. It’s nothing to go out of your way for, but it was perfect for us since we were doing some more relaxed activities at Whangarei Falls and Abbey Caves afterwards.
2 Comments
They have just redone all of the steps in three of the tracks making this walk even nicer in wet weather or after rain
Awesome thanks for the updated info!