The Mangakara Nature Walk is designed for year-round use, allowing students to see and appreciate native forest.

The hiking opportuites from the lodge grounds are endless - they range from overnight options to walking to viewpoints.

The Mangakara Nature Walk starts from the lodge grounds and takes about an hour to complete. This part of the Mangakara Valley escaped the woodman's axe and remains here as a unique part of the original forest for us to see and appreciate.
The walk through podocarp-hardwood forest descends into a small valley, where it forms a loop and crosses the Mangakara Stream. A guide is available from the lodge warden or
Dept. of Conservation (Waikato Area Office) which gives useful information about each of the numbered points of interest that make up the Nature Trail.

There are up to 160 Km of walking tracks in the Pirongia Forest Park. The many routes leading up to the summit of Mt. Pirongia (959 metres) follow ridges which afford excellent viewpoints.

Below is a section of the track information from the DoC Leaflet 'Pirongia Forest Park', contact DoC or the Lodge Warden for a copy of this leaflet.

Possible Trips for School Groups:

• Ruapane Viewpoint
  This is the one the warden recommends for Primary School Groups because of the sense of adventure and the stunning views from the viewpoint, 723m in altitude. It takes about two hours one way. There is a large picnic area at the viewpoint and for those with energy to spare there are a few chained sections just after the viewpoint.
  
  
• Whararoa Viewpoint
  Excellent views from 823m in altitude, but more adventurous as a short section of chains prior to the viewpoint being reached. About two and a half hours one way (a cause of confusion is a rocky section about half an hour prior to the viewpoint, as a break in the bush convinces people they have already attained the viewpoint).
  
  
• The Summit
  Hikes to the summit are only suitable for smaller fit groups, as the loop can take between 8 and 11 hours. A possibility would be a small group going to the summit and staying in the hut (sleeps 6). The hut is 30 minutes passed the summit and this takes 4-5 hours one way.
  
  
• Nikau Walk
  An easy track along the Kaniwhaniwha Stream, which ends in a circular walk through lovely native forest. There is also a swimming hole and the start/end of this track (risk management to be assessed by teachers). This track requires transport (about 10-15 mins drive from the lodge).
  
  
• Interesting Arrival/Daparture from the lodge
  On arrival some groups drop the children at Corcoran Road end to start the walk to Ruapane Viewpoint (1 hour) and then walk back to the lodge (2 hours). This gives a three hour walk (less than a direct return to Ruapane) and uses two different paths for most of the trip. Also can be done in reverse.
  Logistics: The luggage MUST be dropped off at the lodge and not left with the hiking students.