Coromandel Pinnacles Walk: Family Friendly Hike to Pinnacles Hut
Pinnacles Coromandel Walk: The details
The Coromandel Pinnacles Walk is one of New Zealand’s best family friendly huts and is a great North Island day hike. This track is also known as the Kauaeranga Kauri trail.
It’s not the easiest beginner tramp however with plenty of patience it will be great for most kids. I’d just do a few half day walks before hand or be prepared to carry their packs for the younger ones.
Our first beginner overnight tramp was to Woolshed Creek which is a much gentler option, however it is in the South Island. You can read our guide to Family friendly huts in the South Island if you’re heading down there as well.
Just a quick note, you’ll want to make sure you have the right Pinnacles New Zealand walk. There is also the Pinnacles Hut Mt Somers and the Pinnacles walk near Wellington which we have also written about 🙂
Coromandel Pinnacles Walk: The quick details
- Distance: 6km one way to Pinnacles Hut via the Webb Creek Track and another 1km to the Pinnacles Summit
- Duration: 3 hours one way plus 30 minutes to Pinnacles Summit
- Difficulty: Easy to navigate, but intermediate fitness
- Elevation gain: Around 450m to Pinnacles Hut
Article Table of Contents
What the walk was like
I’m going to be honest. There has been so much talk online in family tramping groups about the Pinnacles Hut being such a great hut for kids and I’m going to say I think I underestimated it a little.
It was harder than I thought it would be. In saying that, it wasn’t crazy difficult but there was definitely a lot of uphill. The DOC sign said it would take three hours and it took us 3.5 hours with a good lunch break. Now we often stop for photos because well… thats what I do.. But I didn’t think it would take us that long. So just be prepared, especially if you are heading up with kids on the younger side, there is a lot of uphill.
One thing you will notice at the very beginning of the hike is the gates where you have to clean your shoes. This is to help stop the Kauri dieback.
The walk starts off flattish with a gentle incline through the forest. It’s a classic kiwi bush walk with tall trees (I’m going to say perhaps lots of Nikau palms, but don’t quote me) and tons of silver ferns. Being from the South Island, they are not as prevalent there, so the kids were excited to turn them over to see the silvery bases.
After a few swingbridges (yay!) the path changes to a more rocky uphill trail and this does last quite a long time. It’s like climbing over large flattish river stones with some craggly rocks thrown in there and one good thing about this is the concentration. Kids will need to concentrate to work their way up which means they are less focused on how long it will take them.
There is a good stop in the middle (perhaps not the exact middle, but in the middle chunk of the walk) where there is a wee waterfall, a stream to cross and a whole lot of rocks to hop along. This is a great stop for lunch or to cool off on a hot day.
After a bit more climbing you’ll pass the hydro camp, lose the rocks, and finally feel like you’re out above it all in a bit of a clearing. When you get to this point, there isn’t too far to go. You’ll be able to look across and see the Pinnacles Summit and you’ll even get a glimpse of the hut in the distance too.
Success!! It will feel great to make it to the hut and get a well earned rest before you take the side trip to Pinnacles Summit.
Hiking to Pinnacles Summit Coromandel
The Pinnacles Coromandel summit (759m above seas level) is signposted to take 50 minutes from Pinnacles Hut, but it only took us about 30 minutes one way. This walk is perhaps my favourite part of the Pinnacles hike. Firstly because there are incredible views along the way and at the top of course. But also because of the climbing.
Climbing to Pinnacles Summit involves a bit of rock climbing, some sturdy metal ladders and some metal rungs to make it to the top. This is a kids adventure at its best so I highly recommend it. (carefully of course) The summit of the Pinnacles walk can be extremely windy but there are a few rocks you can duck behind depending on the wind.
There is ample space to enjoy the 360 degree views and from here you’ll see the mountain range and all the way along the coastline and out to sea if the weather is clear. The sun will set behind the mountains and rises over the ocean at sunrise. This beautiful Coromandel peak is a lovely spot for photos too so bring your camera.
For our trip, we headed up at sunset as the weather was relatively clear and the sunrise forecast was for lower cloud. So if the weather is clear, I say always take the opportunity and I’m glad that we did.
About the Coromandel Pinnacles Hut
Pinnacles Hut Coromandel is very unique. It’s more like a New Zealand Great Walk hut than any standard backcountry hut as it is very equipped. It’s the largest hut in New Zealand with 80 beds and I’ve never seen facilities like this which makes it very family friendly.
Gas and pots in the kitchen
Firstly your gas included the price of your hut ticket. So there are gas hobs you can use which is ideal for families who may not have their own Jetboil or little gas cooker yet. There are also a couple of very big school camp size pots that you can borrow too.
On top of that there are a number of kettles for boiling water. So if you are completely new to tramping and don’t want to purchase any extra gear you can buy some freeze dried meals like Backcountry Cuisine, boil water with the kettles and eat straight out of the bag. Or you can just bring a small pot or pan from home.
There is also a bbq (gas provided) so when we woke up in the morning there was a very fortunate family cooking bacon on the bbq and by golly that smelt so good. To bring up meats like this you can just bring a cooler pack or freeze it and let it defrost on the way.
Games
A lot of huts may have a rogue pack of cards floating about but this hut had all sorts of games for the kids to play including a handmade version of snakes and ladders. So fun for the kids and I can really see why this is one of the best family friendly huts in New Zealand.
Bunkrooms
There are two main bunkrooms with a mixture of platform bunk beds and single stacked bunk beds
Platform bunk beds include one main platform with a whole ton of mattresses side by side and on these, you may end up sleeping next to a stranger. When we travel as a family we often have the kids in between us as book ends, or else we use the wall as one of the barriers. Single bunk beds are also an option for a more separate sleeping option and I love there is the choice of both
Shower
There’s even a cold water shower on site. I bet it would be absolutely freezing, but its an option if you ever needed it.
The Hut Warden
A lot of popular huts over the summer months have a hut warden to be a point of contact and give you the rules and lay of the land. The Coromandel Pinnacles hike is so popular that it has a hut warden all year around.
In fact, this is the only hut I’ve come across where the bunkrooms and kitchens are locked in the day and you effectively have a 9am checkout time. But with 80 people in the huts, it makes sure the hut is well cleaned and in pristine condition for the next person.
The official check in time is 2pm, but the day we were there, the hut warden came back at 330pm and we weren’t allocated a bed until 4pm. A different wee system, so just a heads up for people who have had experience at other backcountry huts.
Pinnacles Campsite Coromandel
If the hut is fully booked or you prefer your own solitude, the Pinnacles campground is located a short walk from Pinnacles Hut and is called Dancing Camp Dam. If you took the longer Billy Goat circuit to Pinnacles Hut you would also come across the campsite at Billygoat Basin. This walk is much longer at about 10km but could make a good loop if you were up for a bigger adventure.
Pinnacles Hut bookings need to be made online on the Department of Conservation (DOC) website. You can use you your DOC Backcountry Hut Pass between 1 May and 30 September but they won’t be accepted outside of this time (you’ll need to book online like everyone else) The Pinnacles Trail map can also be found on the Kauaeranga Valley brochure on the website too
How to get to the Pinnacles Walk Coromandel NZ
The Pinnacles hike Coromandel is located near the township of Thames in the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand’s North Island.
The trailhead carpark is just over 30 minutes from the Thames township at the end of Kauaeranga Valley Road. It’s quite windy on the way there so watch out if you have a campervan. It’s 13km to the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre which you have to drive around before you hit 9km of gravel road.
There are lots of DOC campsites along the way here so great for camping pre or post hike if you have a tent or a campervan.
Do make sure you take your belongings as there has been theft at the carpark, so just be vigilant. We didn’t have any issues but it’s always good to be safe.
What to pack for the Pinnacles Track Coromandel
I know that this hike is popular for a first overnight hut hike so I’ll pop a quick list of the major things you will need to take on this hike. I have a more indepth article on Hiking gear for kids and our Backyard Travel Family hiking recommendations as well
Don’t forget, if this is your first family hike, see if you can borrow some gear from friends. Once you decide you love it, then add to your tramping gear list over time.
Personal gear
- Backpack (can just be a school bag, but something with a chest clip and/or waistbelt does make it easier)
- Decent shoes: a good running shoe or hiking boot if it has been raining and could be mucky
- Hiking socks/longer crew sock, not an ankle sock
- Merino/Polypro thermal top
- T-shirt (not cotton)
- Shorts – can add polypro long johns if its cold
- Warm fleece mid layer
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof pants
- Sleeping Bag (a down bag will squish down smaller than a camping sleeping bag)
- A pillowcase or packing cube to fill with clothes and use as a pillow
- Hut clothes: A spare set of clothes in case your hiking clothes get wet/dirty including socks and underwear)
- Water bottle/bladder
Cooking Gear
The Pinnacles hut has gas, so you don’t need to bring your own, just be prepared to share and work around others. You will need some sort of pot to cook in, or a little frypan. I’ve often just taken a small one from home, yes straight from my kitchen. You don’t have to have anything fancy.
You could also use the kettle and buy freeze dried meals. So in that case like we did on our visit to Pinnacles Hut in spring, we just needed a spoon and fork. You may also wish to bring a bowl and/or plate and a cup for hot drinks.
There’s also a bbq, so tongs or a fish slice may also be useful
Weather: Pinnacles Coromandel
NIWA has a specific weather forecast for Pinnacles Hut which is super handy. As the hut is around 600m above sea level, its not in alpine territory or at risk of snow so this should put families at ease. However the area is at risk of flooding at times and you will note there is a flood route around one of the waterfall areas and it can get windy up on top.
A lot of this walk is under the trees so with good protection would still be okay in the rain.
Like any hike, please do your due diligence and you can always stop in at the DOC visitor centre which you pass on your way up to the Pinnacles hike for the most up to date weather information from the DOC rangers.
———-
All in all, we totally agree that the Pinnacles tramp is a great one for the whole family. Whether you have kids in a carrier or they’re under their own steam, with some patience, this will be an awesome New Zealand backcountry hut adventure.
Things to do near the Pinnacles walk Coromandel
- Hot Water Beach
- New Chums Beach
- Cathedral Cove Walk
All of these things you can find more about on our New Zealand North Island Road Trip Itinerary
Jennifer
Founder of Backyard Travel Family
Jen is a super organiser when it comes to travel. Having travelled extensively in Europe and Africa, has lived in London and the USA and holidayed in many parts of Asia, she is not a newbie to the travel space
Jen has three young children, 11 and under and travels around New Zealand with them.
what you need to know
Travel
- Pinnacles Hut carpark is at the end of Kauaeranga Valley Road about 30 minutes from Thames township. The last 9km is on gravel
The track
- easy to navigate, you won't get lost
- bush trail for the most part
- lots of unstable footing, walking on rocks or roots so take care here
Suitable for kids?
yes absolutely, a good uphill hike for primary school kids and younger ones might be able to give it a crack with some patience and time. We saw some preschool kids walking and some being carried part of the time. Just allow a lot of time and some stops
Facilities
-toilets at the carpark and at the hut
- hut has full facilities
- exposed in the last section to the hut and fully exposed to the summit
What to bring
- See the tramping packing list in the article above
Food options
- Thames township is your closest option for supermarkets such as Pak n Save
