Ruakuri Bushwalk: forest, natural tunnels & caves in Waitomo

The Ruakuri Bushwalk is a fun and varied nature walk in the Waitomo region on the North Island of New Zealand. Although the Ruakuri Bushwalk is only a 2 kilometre long loop, the variety with caves, natural tunnels, a beautiful forest and a breathtaking gorge more than compensates for the short walk. And there is still one surprise when you return at night! Glow worms then light up the forest and create a magical, otherworldly atmosphere.

The Ruakuri loop takes about 45 minutes to an hour to walk. It is one of the easiest walks in Waitomo and also the most beautiful if you ask us! Your walk is therefore also suitable for every level. The walk is also perfectly doable with children.

What to expect from the Ruakuri Bushwalk?

The path is not always mud-free, but along the way you also encounter some really beautiful sections. Quite quickly you walk along a beautifully constructed boardwalk that leads you along the gorge. You can do the walk clockwise or counterclockwise. All interesting stops are clearly marked, such as the viewpoint for the cave and the natural tunnel. Along the way you also come across some small waterfalls. Absolutely worth it as you can see from the photos!

One of the highlights of the Ruakuri Bushwalk is the Ruakuri Natural Tunnel. This is a limestone arch that has been formed by thousands of years of water erosion. You can walk right through it and of course take a fun photo. You do have to duck occasionally to proceed further.

Further along you also walk into a cave. From the platform you have a magical view of the cave.

Then you come to a wooden boardwalk that leads you along the edge of the cliff with the flowing water below. This is a truly magical place with all the lush forest around you.

You can go left or right several times along the way. Eventually you end up in the same loop. It is handy to always stick to one side.

Spot glow worms at night on the Ruakuri Bushwalk

At night, the Ruakuri Bushwalk takes on a magical, otherworldly atmosphere. The forest is illuminated by thousands of glow worms! This is a fantastic alternative if you do not want to pay for the guided Waitomo glow worm tour. You can do the walk at night yourself, just bring a flashlight and you will not miss anything. The glow worms are located in the caves on the ceiling. And you can already see them within a few minutes of walking.

Unfortunately, it did not fit into our planning, but I have read beautiful blogs about it on the internet. So if you have the time, definitely put it on your bucket list!

How do you get to Ruakuri Bushwalk?

The Ruakuri Bushwalk is located in the Ruakuri Scenic Reserve, 2 km from the world-famous Waitomo caves. You can perfectly combine these two locations during a day trip glow worm spotting in Waitomo or Spellbound. Once you arrive in Waitomo, follow the signs to the Ruakuri Bushwalk where you can find a large car park. There are also picnic tables that are perfect for a picnic after the walk. There are no public toilets available, but there are at the visitor centre of the Waitomo caves.

When you are here during the day, you will pass various groups doing excursions through the Waitomo caves. These are tours that you can of course also book.

More caves in the Waitomo system

Besides the enchanting caves of the Waitomo system, even more adventure awaits nearby.

• Waitomo Glowworm Caves
  Dive deep underground in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves and float by boat through a sea of sparkling glow worms. This is the main tourist attraction of Waitomo. A quieter option is Spellbound. In this blog I tell you more about the difference between Waitomo and Spellbound.
• Ruakuri Cave
  Explore the mysterious Ruakuri Cave with its unique spiral-shaped entrance and discover the secrets of the limestone formations.
• Aranui Cave
  Go for a more intimate experience at the Aranui Cave, with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. For a dose of excitement.
• Cave World
  Choose a more adventurous tour in Cave World, where waterfalls and glow worms keep you company.
• Mangapohue Natural Bridge
  Don’t forget to admire the breathtaking Mangapohue Natural Bridge, a natural wonder created by water over time. This one is excellent to combine with the beautiful Marokopa Falls.