There’s something special about standing on a summit just as the weather turns. The wind starts picking up. The clouds roll in fast. And suddenly, you realise how lucky you were to time it perfectly.
That’s exactly how our hike to The Pinnacles (Kauaeranga Kauri Trail) unfolded — our first “big” hike on New Zealand’s North Island. We started early, climbed steadily through historic kauri logging routes, and reached the dramatic summit ladders just before rain and strong winds swept across the Coromandel ranges.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about hiking The Pinnacles in Coromandel Forest Park — trail details, what to expect, whether to stay at the hut, and tips to help you time your summit right.
Quick Overview – The Pinnacles Hike
The Pinnacles is one of the most popular hikes in Coromandel Forest Park, and for good reason. Officially known as the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail, this track combines historic logging routes, steady elevation gain, and a dramatic ladder-assisted summit that feels far more adventurous than a typical forest walk.
While many hikers choose to stay overnight at Pinnacles Hut, we did The Pinnacles as a day hike — and it’s completely achievable, provided you start early and keep a close eye on the weather. The steady gradient makes it manageable, but don’t underestimate the final push to the summit.
Below is a quick breakdown to help you decide if this hike is right for you:
- Distance: 13.8 km return
- Elevation Gain: 776m
- Time required: 1 or 2 days
- Trail Start & End: Trestle View Campsite (end of Kauaeranga Valley Road)
- Difficulty: Moderately Challenging / Hard
- Location: Coromandel Forest Park
For those wanting to turn The Pinnacles into a bigger adventure, it’s possible to complete it as a loop rather than returning the same way.
Near Hydro Camp, a junction connects with the Billygoat Landing Track, allowing you to descend via a different route back toward the Kauaeranga Valley.
Taking this option extends the hike to approximately 17.8 km with close to 1,000 metres of total elevation gain, making it a noticeably more demanding day out.
While the loop makes the hike feel more complete, it also requires strong fitness and smart time management, especially for day hikers.
Where Is The Pinnacles Track?
The Pinnacles are located in the Kauaeranga Valley within Coromandel Forest Park on New Zealand’s North Island. The nearest town is Thames, and from there it’s about a 45-minute drive to the trailhead via Kauaeranga Valley Road.
As you head deeper into the valley, you’ll pass a whole series of Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites scattered along the road. These basic forest camps offer a convenient option if you want to stay close to the trailhead and start early the next morning. Most are simple, with non-flush (long-drop) toilets and minimal facilities.
We chose to stay at Whangaiterenga Campsite, which stands out as the only campsite along Kauaeranga Valley Road with flushing toilets.
Although most sections of Kauaeranga Valley Road are gravel, it’s generally suitable for most vehicles in dry conditions. The trailhead car park itself is large, well signposted and includes toilets and basic facilities.
Because of its proximity to Auckland, Hamilton and the Bay of Plenty, The Pinnacles is especially popular on weekends and public holidays — another good reason to arrive early or consider camping nearby the night before.
The Pinnacles Track Breakdown
The hike to The Pinnacles follows the historic Kauaeranga Kauri Trail, gradually climbing through regenerating native forest.
The first major milestone is Hydro Camp, roughly the halfway point. From here, the character of the hike begins to change. The forest starts to thin, views gradually open up, and interpretive signs along the trail explain the fascinating geology of the Coromandel ranges.
The final summit section introduces metal ladders and narrow rock steps that require a bit more care — particularly in wet or windy conditions.
Let’s break it down section by section.
Section 1 – Forest Climb to Hydro Camp
The hike begins at the end of Kauaeranga Valley Road, and from the first steps it’s clear this trail carries some serious history. The lower section follows the route once used by kauri loggers in the late 1800s, and you’ll pass the remnants of that era along the way — old kauri dams built to flush felled logs downstream are still standing in the valley.
Almost immediately, you’ll cross the largest swing bridge on the track, spanning the Kauaeranga River. Shortly after the bridge, you can take a brief side trip to Billygoat Landing, a viewpoint where, on a clear day, you’ll spot Atuatumoe Falls cascading in the far distance.
The gradient is steady from the start, but never overly steep, making it easy to settle into a rhythm. Within the first section, you’ll cross several swing bridges spanning clear streams and small gorges.
Along the track, you’ll pass a small waterfall cascading beside the trail — an easy scenic highlight that breaks up the steady climb before continuing higher into the forest.
The forest here is dense and shaded, with towering native bush surrounding the track. After a consistent uphill push, you’ll reach Hydro Camp, a historic site that marks roughly the halfway point of the hike. It’s a natural place to pause, refuel, and reset before the landscape begins to change.
Section 2 – Hydro Camp to Pinnacles Hut
Beyond Hydro Camp, the character of the hike shifts. The forest gradually thins, and you’ll start to get your first open views across the Kauaeranga Valley and surrounding ranges within Coromandel Forest Park.
This section still climbs steadily, but the terrain feels more alpine and exposed compared to the lower forest. Along the way, interpretive signs explain the region’s volcanic geology, adding context to the rugged rock formations that begin to dominate the landscape.
Eventually, you’ll reach Pinnacles Hut, a large and popular DOC hut that serves as the overnight base for many hikers.
Even if you’re completing the hike as a day trip, this is a great place to rest before tackling the final summit push.
Section 3 – Pinnacles Hut to The Summit
The final stretch from the hut to the summit is short but unforgettable — the moment the entire hike has been building toward.
From the hut, the track climbs steeply up rocky terrain before reaching the feature that makes The Pinnacles genuinely unique: a series of fixed metal ladders bolted directly into the rock face, allowing you to ascend the near-vertical upper section of the summit.
The ladders are well-maintained and secure, but this section is exposed and can feel intimidating if you’re not comfortable with heights.
When we reached this point, the clouds were already beginning to roll in — which only added to the atmosphere. The sense of exposure on the upper ladders is real, and it makes reaching the 759m summit all the more satisfying.
The summit delivers sweeping views across the Coromandel ranges and out toward New Zealand’s eastern coast. On a clear day, you can trace the ridgelines all the way to the ocean, with small coastal towns visible in the distance.
We caught the summit in a narrow weather window. Darker clouds were moving in as we arrived, and by the time we descended back to the hut, strong winds were sweeping across the ridge.
Final Thoughts – Is The Pinnacles Worth It?
The Pinnacles is one of those hikes that builds gradually and rewards patience. It doesn’t overwhelm you in the first kilometre. Instead, it climbs steadily, drawing you deeper into the forest before revealing bigger views, more exposure, and finally that dramatic summit push.
For us, it was our first “big” hike on New Zealand’s North Island — and it set the tone perfectly. Camping the night before in the Kauaeranga Valley meant we could start early, which ultimately made all the difference.
Reaching the summit just before the weather closed in added an extra layer of intensity.
It’s not the most technical hike in New Zealand, but it feels like a real mountain experience — especially on that final ladder section. The combination of historic logging trail, steady elevation gain, exposed summit, and panoramic views across the Coromandel ranges makes it one of the most rewarding hikes in the region.
If you’re exploring the North Island and want a hike that offers both challenge and payoff, this one deserves a spot on your list.
Start early, watch the forecast, and don’t underestimate the weather — The Pinnacles might just surprise you in the best way.
For more awesome trail ideas across the region, check out my full guide to the 👉 Best Hikes in North New Zealand.
Frequently Asked Questions – The Pinnacles Hike
Most hikers complete The Pinnacles return hike in 6–8 hours as a day trip, depending on pace and weather conditions. If staying overnight at Pinnacles Hut, the climb is typically split into 3–4 hours to the hut and 1 hour return to the summit the next morning.
The hike is considered moderately challenging. The gradient is steady rather than steep, but the elevation gain accumulates over distance. The final summit section includes ladders and exposed rock steps, which require confidence but no technical climbing skills.
Yes — with reasonable fitness and preparation. While it’s not a beginner stroll, the well-maintained track and gradual climb make it achievable for first-time mountain hikers who start early and pace themselves.
Absolutely. Many hikers complete it in one day, though an early start is strongly recommended — especially in summer or when weather conditions are unpredictable.
Yes. If you plan to stay overnight at Pinnacles Hut, bookings are required through the Department of Conservation (DOC) website. The hut is popular, particularly on weekends and public holidays.
Pinnacles Hut is one of the largest and most well-equipped huts on the North Island. Located about 3 hours from the road end, it has around 80 bunk beds split into two large dormitory rooms, all fitted with mattresses (but you’ll need your own sleeping bag and pillow).
The hut is warden-staffed year-round and classified as a serviced DOC hut. Facilities include:
- Gas cookers and a large BBQ area for meals and dinner prep.
- Solar lighting in the kitchen/dining space.
- Cold outdoor shower to rinse off after a long day on the trail.
- Toilets (chemical/long-drop style).
- Limited water supply from a tank or roof catchment — boil before drinking.
The hut has a covered communal area and tables, making it a comfortable place to rest and refuel before or after your summit push. Because it’s so popular — especially on weekends and holidays — advance booking through the Department of Conservation website is essential.
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