Galatea is one of the access points for walks in Te Urewera National Park. The 9-kilometer foothills trail is a good place to start.
It’s a one-way trail you could walk in either direction, or I guess both if you’re keen for a big day out!
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I set off with my dog (on lead) in tow, beginning at the Horomanga stream and walking in the direction of Tawhiuau (the base of which lies at the other end of the trail).
The foothills track should be an easy, gently undulating hiking trail. And it is, but much of it was extremely overgrown when I went. It’s probably not always like that. I met one other person, a local trail runner, who stopped to chat and said he would come through and clear it.
I thought it might take 2-2.5 hours. By the time I finished the track, it was getting close to 3.5 hours for me, I think. I lost the markers a few times and, therefore, got off the trail a bit.
But I did it and came out with legs full of prickles and berry bush scratches to show for it!
The Tawhiuau end is clear, at least for a few kilometers, so it’s a nice area to meander. We took the kids on the trail, starting at the Tawhiuau end and walking until it felt like time to turn around!
Because it’s a foothills trail, you really can’t get lost. The trail goes in one straight line, and you can catch glimpses of farmland asking the way, so you can always escape to open pastures if you need to!
Overall, this is a lovely trail for a taste of the massive wilderness of Te Urewera. It’s fantastic for nature immersion and doesn’t require backcountry experience since you’re just walking along the forest’s edge. Once it’s cleared, it should be very easy to follow, as there are orange markers the whole way along.
If you’re heading to central North Island, you may also want to check out these fantastic things to do with kids in Whakatane and nearby, as well as our top tips for walks in the Whirinaki Forest Park.
Where are the best places to visit in New Zealand?
New Zealand splits naturally into two islands, each with its own character: the North Island’s geothermal country, beaches, and city stops, and the South Island’s mountains, fjords, and glacier country further south. The landscape shifts fast here, often within a single day’s drive, so families get a lot of variety without huge distances between stops. If you’re in New Zealand or considering a trip there, check out our New Zealand activity guides for family-friendly stops across both islands.
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