4WD Trails in Waikato

Waikato spans from the King Country forests in the south to the Hauraki Plains in the north, with the Waikato River cutting through the middle. For 4WD drivers, the King Country — Pureora, Te Kūiti, Taumarunui — is the main draw.

The Pureora Forest Park and the Timber Trail corridor have some of the most accessible and enjoyable 4WD tracks on the North Island. Forestry tracks off the Awakino Road and the Marokopa Falls access roads give good variety. Much of this land is managed for commercial forestry and requires permits from the block manager.

Winter conditions in the King Country can be wet and slick but never alpine — Waikato has no snow closures. Year-round driving is the norm, with summer the most reliable for forestry track access.