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Central North Island

Waitonga Falls: a mountain forest walk above Ohakune

ReGear

Plan Waitonga Falls: a 4 km return walk above Ohakune, forest and wetland scenery, mountain-weather preparation and real aerial route maps.

Waitonga Falls dropping between forested rock walls above Ohakune.

Waitonga Falls combines mountain forest, open wetland and a 39-metre waterfall. It is a rewarding step up from a roadside viewpoint, with enough walking to make a proper short outing above Ohakune.

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

Quick facts

  • 4 km return; allow about 1 hour 20 minutes plus stops.
  • An easy-to-intermediate walk, returning along the same track.
  • Start 11 km up Ohakune Mountain Road.
  • No dogs. Mountain weather can change quickly.

Getting to the start

Drive from Ohakune towards Tūroa and use the signed Waitonga Falls track entrance. Organise drinking water, food and a toilet stop in Ohakune before driving up. Check the road and forecast, particularly when snow or ice is possible.

Location and route maps

Orange highlights show DOC’s recorded track over real aerial imagery. Open a map for a closer look.

Waitonga Falls location relative to Ohakune on real aerial imagery, with north up.
Waitonga Falls walking track highlighted orange on aerial imagery, starting at Ohakune Mountain Road.

DOC track information and official map

What the walk is like

  1. Follow the formed track into beech and kaikawaka forest.
  2. Cross the open Rotokawa wetland on the track. In calm, clear weather, its pools can reflect Ruapehu.
  3. Continue towards Waitonga Falls and enjoy the waterfall from the track.
  4. Turn back for the same car park. The longer Round the Mountain route is a separate trip.

Effort and conditions

Expect forest walking and an open stretch where wind and rain have more bite. Allow longer if your group is new to hiking or wants plenty of photo stops. Stay on the formed track through the wetland.

What I would bring

I would bring grippy walking shoes, a waterproof and windproof jacket, a warm layer, water and food. Keep a small first-aid kit and phone in the pack, and let someone know the plan. A fine start in Ohakune is no reason to leave the warm layer in the car.

Planning your return

Give yourself daylight for the return walk and mountain-road drive. Check DOC’s current alerts before leaving; drone use needs a permit. The waterfall is the turnaround for this guide.

  • Mangawhero Falls: A much shorter waterfall viewpoint stop farther up Ohakune Mountain Road.
  • Taranaki Falls: A separate waterfall outing from Whakapapa, useful when planning time on the other side of the park.

For kit planning, see our New Zealand day-walk gear guide.

Sources and photo credits

Researched trail guide using DOC information, checked 2 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: Waitonga fall.jpg — ShakyIsles. CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized for display.