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Central North Island

Mangawhero Falls: a short viewpoint walk above Ohakune

ReGear

Visit Mangawhero Falls above Ohakune: a 5–10 minute return viewpoint walk, mountain-road access, cold-weather planning and real aerial route maps.

Mangawhero Falls dropping through a rocky gorge near Ohakune.

Mangawhero Falls is a quick mountain-road stop with a rewarding waterfall view. It suits a short outing rather than a long hike, but the setting can still be cold and exposed.

On this page: Quick facts · Start · Maps · Route · What to bring

Quick facts

  • Allow 5–10 minutes return, plus viewing time.
  • Very short out-and-back path: roughly 150 m of mapped track in total.
  • Start about 16 km up Ohakune Mountain Road.
  • No drone use without a permit.

Getting to the start

Drive from Ohakune towards Tūroa and use the signed Mangawhero Falls car park. Check road and weather conditions before driving up, especially during snow or ice.

Location and route maps

Orange highlights follow DOC’s recorded track on real aerial imagery. Open either map for a closer look.

Mangawhero Falls location relative to Ohakune on real aerial imagery, with north up.
Mangawhero Falls mapped walking track highlighted orange on real aerial imagery, with its entrance marked and north up.

DOC track information and official map

What the walk is like

  1. Find the signed viewpoint path beside the car park.
  2. Follow it through stunted beech forest towards the falls.
  3. Enjoy the waterfall from the viewpoint.
  4. Return to the car by the same short path.

Effort and conditions

The forest here is shaped by the harsh climate just below the bushline. Winter can bring icicles around the falls. Stay on the formed path and use the viewpoint; slippery conditions can make even a short walk awkward.

What I would bring

I would keep a warm layer and rain shell handy rather than buried in luggage. Wear shoes with grip and carry your phone securely, leaving your hands free.

Planning your return

Use toilets and organise food and drinking water in Ohakune first. Do not extend the walk towards the river or cliff edge. Check the current DOC track page and road conditions again on the day.

More walks to compare

Sources and photo credits

Sources checked 1 October 2026.

Maps: LINZ Basemaps and imagery contributors, CC BY 4.0. Track geometry: Crown copyright, Department of Conservation, DOC Tracks dataset, CC BY 4.0. Location labels and route highlights added.

Photo: Mangawhero Falls.jpg — itravelNZ® - New Zealand in your pocket™. CC BY 2.0. Resized for display.