‘A journey into the past’ says the sign at the start of the Waitawheta Tramway Track. In the early 20th century the Kaimai Ranges were rich in kauri trees and a tramway was built up the valley to remove the giant logs. Remnants of the logging operation can be seen in the first part of the track, which follows the tramway.

From the car park follow the Waitawheta River through farmland before entering the native bush of Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park and joining the Waitawheta Valley Tramway. The track is mostly flat and easy.

At around 2.5km into the walk, beneath Maungawhio (310m), the track bends westward as it enters the spectacular Waitawheta Gorge, which provides welcome shade on sunny days.

Exit the gorge and you will soon reach a track junction. Take the Daly Clearing Track to the right up a long flight of steps into the forest. The track to Daly Clearing Hut is only 1.4km but it’s a challenging part of the circuit. The terrain levels off at around the 280m contour. Romanga Stream, about 200m before the hut, is easy to cross. On sunny summer weekends, the hut would make a pleasant family getaway.

Immediately after the hut, the track climbs to gain a broad saddle beneath Pt430. Continue through the forest of nīkau palms with vines wrapped artistically around their trunks, until the track turns north and joins the Mangakino Pack Track. A brief descent leads to a steady sidle northwards high above Mangakino Stream for a few hundred metres. Once past Pt430, the track climbs steeply to the 400m contour and then winds its way down the hill to meet the junction with Dean Track, which is much less steep and leads through farmland again with views over the gorgeous Waitawheta River. A final descent of some steps leads back to Franklin Road and the car park.