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Karangahake Gorge: Highway 2, Hauraki, Waikato
Photo: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia · Public domain

Drives Waikato, New Zealand Auckland, Waikato and the Coromandel

Karangahake Gorge: Highway 2

SH 2 · Paeroa → Waihi

Sweeping12.5 mi20 min700 ft climbHigh point ≈ 400 ftOne way
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The drive

State Highway 2 squeezes through Karangahake Gorge between Paeroa and Waihi, a break in the hills between the Coromandel Peninsula and the Kaimai Ranges. This drive covers the gorge section: 20 km (12.5 mi) in about 20 minutes, beside the Ohinemuri River.

The gorge walls are rock, and the old goldfields are all around. The Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway follows the former railway line past mining remnants, a rail tunnel and the Victoria Battery complex, with parking directly off State Highway 2 at Karangahake.

The highway is a trunk road but not a motorway, so it is narrow in the gorge, and it carries trucks.

Along the way

  1. Paeroa
  2. Waihi
Elevation
700 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 400 ft
PaeroaWaihi
Curves
Mostly moderate, with one twisty stretch
PaeroaWaihi
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The gorge is narrow, and trucks use it, so keep your speed down.
  • Rockfall from the cliffs above the road is a known hazard, and slips and flooding have closed the gorge in past years, so check NZTA before setting out.
  • Parking for the historic walks is directly off the highway at Karangahake, so watch for people crossing and cars pulling in.
  • The usual detour for through traffic is State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check NZTA Journey Planner.

Questions about this drive

How long is Karangahake Gorge on Highway 2?

State Highway 2 from Paeroa through Karangahake Gorge to Waihi is 20 km (12.5 mi) and takes about 20 minutes.

Is Karangahake Gorge ever closed?

Yes. State Highway 2 through the gorge has been closed for rock work, slips and flooding, so check NZTA's journey planner before you go.

Where can I park to see the Karangahake Gorge mining ruins?

DOC says parking for the historic walks is directly off State Highway 2 at Karangahake, with signs for the walks.

What you get in the app

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More drives near here

All 8 drives in Waikato, New Zealand ›

Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Karangahake Gorge: Highway 2, from Paeroa to Waihi