Rising sharply above the Kauaeranga Valley behind Thames, the Pinnacles are among the most spectacular hikes on the Coromandel — a ridgeline of weathered rock spires reached by a historic track of stone steps and packhorse trails cut during the kauri-logging era. For Whangamata trampers willing to make the drive across the peninsula, it is a classic overnight or big day walk.
Getting to the Kauaeranga Valley
The trailhead sits at the end of Kauaeranga Valley Road, inland from Thames on the west of the peninsula. From Whangamata, allow well over an hour’s drive via SH25, plus the unsealed valley road at the end. Stop at the Department of Conservation visitor centre on the way in to check conditions, pay any fees and confirm hut bookings.
The walk to the top
Most walkers start on the Webb Creek track, which climbs steeply up stone steps originally built for packhorses servicing the logging camps. The route continues to the Pinnacles Hut, a large DOC hut that is popular and must be booked in advance, especially in summer and on weekends.
From the hut, a final climb with ladders and steel rungs leads to the summit of the Pinnacles themselves, where on a clear day the view stretches across both coasts of the peninsula. Allow around three hours from the car park to the hut, and budget extra for the summit push.
Day walk or overnight?
Fit walkers can complete the Pinnacles as a long day trip, but many split it over two days, staying at Pinnacles Hut to catch sunrise or sunset from the tops. A common loop returns via the Billygoat track, passing remnants of the old logging tramways and a waterfall lookout.
What to take and know before you go
This is a genuine alpine-style tramp, not a stroll. Carry sturdy footwear, warm and waterproof layers, plenty of water and food, and a torch. The exposed summit can be slippery and dangerous in wet or windy weather, and the rungs near the top are not for the faint-hearted. Book huts through DOC, check the forecast, and never push for the summit in poor conditions.
History underfoot
The stone steps and tramway remnants are reminders that the Kauaeranga Valley was once a hub of kauri logging. Interpretation panels along the way explain how timber was moved out of these hills, giving the walk a layer of history alongside the views.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Pinnacles walk?
It is roughly three hours from the Kauaeranga car park to Pinnacles Hut via the Webb Creek track, with an additional climb to the summit. Many walkers do it as an overnight trip.
Do I need to book the hut?
Yes. Pinnacles Hut is popular and must be booked in advance through the Department of Conservation, particularly in summer and on weekends.
How far is the Kauaeranga Valley from Whangamata?
Allow well over an hour’s drive via SH25 toward Thames, then the Kauaeranga Valley Road to the trailhead, the final section of which is unsealed.
Is the Pinnacles track suitable for beginners?
It is a strenuous climb with steep steps and exposed ladders near the summit. Reasonable fitness and proper gear are needed, and it should not be attempted in poor weather.
