Last updated November 2026
The Boars Head Mine Track is in the Kaitake Range near Oakura. When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC listed this track as closed: “Boars Head Mine track is closed until further notice.” Check the DOC page for its current status before planning a visit.
When open, the track starts from Weld Road, which you reach by driving through Oakura on State Highway 45, and DOC allows about 45 minutes’ walk to the mine. DOC grades it Advanced and classes it as a tramping track. The Kaitake Range is about 17 km from New Plymouth and forms the forested backdrop to Oakura.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check DOC's current alerts for Boars Head Mine Track on the day you walk.
Current alerts on DOC
Practical Information
- Start
- Weld Road, off State Highway 45 through Oakura
- Distance from the city
- about 17 km from New Plymouth
- Walking time
- About 45 min to the mine (when open)
- Track length
- 1.9 km return via the same track
- Grade
- Advanced
- Dogs
- No Dogs
- Track type
- Tramping track
- Managed by
- Department of Conservation
- Status
- Closed when checked on 18 October 2026 (DOC’s track page says it is closed until further notice). Check DOC for reopening.
- Track markers
- On marked bush tracks, DOC and most councils use orange triangles for the walking route. Triangles or tape in other colours, usually pink or blue, mark pest-control lines and traps. They can lead off the track, so don’t follow them.
About Boars Head Mine Track
The Boars Head Mine Track is one of several tramping tracks in the Kaitake Range, the bush-covered hills behind Oakura that are part of Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki. When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC’s page listed it as closed until further notice with no reopening date, so don’t plan to walk it until DOC lists it as open again.
When it is open, the track leaves Weld Road and DOC allows about 45 minutes to reach the mine. DOC grades it Advanced.
If you want to walk in the Kaitake Range in the meantime, DOC’s other tracks here include the Davies Track from Surrey Hill Road and the Waimoku and Sefton Ridge tracks from Lucy’s Gully. Check each one’s DOC page for its status first.
The Kaitake Forest
DOC notes that the lowland coastal forest of the Kaitake Range is very different from the forest in the rest of the park. It includes nīkau, tītoki, kohekohe, pūriri, pukatea and karaka, silver fern and a range of smaller plants.
A stand of Californian redwoods planted in the 1930s is protected under a special dispensation in the park’s management plan, and other exotic trees from that time are slowly being removed so native species can regenerate.
Getting There
Take South Road (State Highway 45) from New Plymouth. Drive through Oakura and turn left onto Weld Road to get to the Boars Head Mine Track. When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC listed the track as closed until further notice.
Where to Learn More
Department of Conservation: Boars Head Mine Track: track information, alerts and status. Track information: Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Department of Conservation: Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki: an overview of the national park, including the other Kaitake Range tracks and current alerts.
Plan My Walk: plan your trip, check the weather and track alerts, and share your plans with someone you trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Boars Head Mine Track open?
It was closed when we checked on 18 October 2026: DOC’s page said the track “is closed until further notice”. Check the DOC page for updates before you go.
Where does the Boars Head Mine Track start?
From Weld Road. Drive through Oakura on State Highway 45 and turn left onto Weld Road.
How long does it take to reach the mine?
When the track is open, DOC allows about 45 minutes’ walk to the mine.
How hard is the track?
DOC grades it Advanced and classes it as a tramping track.
What other tracks are in the Kaitake Range?
DOC’s Kaitake Range tracks include the Davies Track, the Waimoku Track and the Sefton Ridge Track. Check their DOC pages for current status.
What should I bring in the Kaitake Range?
DOC recommends a waterproof jacket, plenty of warm layers and sturdy shoes, ideally tramping boots.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Track Facts: Track facts and line: Crown Copyright, Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026, CC BY 4.0. Elevation: LINZ (LiDAR), CC BY 4.0.