Access: 74 km from Auckland on SH1 — at the Dome Tearooms, 7 km past Warkworth.

Length: 1.2 km to Dome Summit — 1.5 hours return. To the Waiwhiu Kauri Grove, 3.3km — 3 hours return.

Footwear: Walking shoes, boots in winter.

Caveat: The Dome walkway crosses land sacred to local Iwi, walkers should keep to the track. The tracks through to Conical Peak cross private pine forest and logging operations may cause changes to the marked route. Intending walkers should contact the Recreation Tourism section of Carter Holt Harvey to ensure tracks are clear of operational work which may affect their safety. Ph (09) 420 8660.

The walkway begins at the tearooms car park, at the top of the Dome Valley. Steps lead upwards along a narrow road reserve with private property either side to the Conservation Area — 401 hectares of native forest. The track leads 1 km along a ridge to a lookout platform. The lookout, with views across the Mahurangi Peninsula to the Hauraki Gulf, is a sufficient destination for a short walk (40 minutes return). The ascent to the Dome summit is steep and rocky. From there, the view is northward across exotic forest to the distant crags of Taranga Island, the mother ‘hen’ of the Hen and Chickens Islands. The track descends gently beyond the Dome trig, 800 metres to the Waiwhiu Kauri Grove. These 20 mature trees give some hint of the forest’s original magnificence.

A more extended route — suitable for experienced trampers — can be accessed just before the climb to the Dome Summit. The track leads left to the Waiwhiu Conical Peak Rd. Turn left to reach Hill Rd on the right. This route fords a stream — the road then branches, but bear right to reach the ridge line and a clay road which leads either left to McArthur Rd exit, or right to Conical Peak, and the Govan Wilson Rd exit.

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Alpine Sports Club inc.  P.O. Box 131, Auckland, New Zealand.  email   help@trampingauckland.org.nz