The Moria Gate Arch is a lovely short walk near Karamea. This 1 and a half hour walk explores native bush, caves, and a huge arch over a river.
Karamea is the end of the road for many people that visit the West coast of the South Island. In fact, for a lot of people they don’t even make it up this far north because it’s at the end of the road. Some people will see the area when they start or finish the Heaphy Walk or maybe the Wangapeka. This area near the top of the west coast of the South Island, which is actually farther north than Wellington, is rugged, wild, and beautiful. The Moria Gate Arch is a lovely walk that reveals some of the natural beauty of the area.
Moria Gate Arch Highlights and Logistics
Highlights – Tannin stained Oparara River flowing through a giant limestone arch, native bush, whio, and caves and cave weta.
Location – Oparara Basin outside of Karamea at the top of the west coast of the South Island.
Length of Walk – 4 km, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Difficulty – Easy
Moria Gate Arch Walk
This walk starts at the main carpark in the Oparara basin, actually the first one you come to after traversing the rugged road. The walk leaves the road, enters the native bush, and whisks you away to a different world.
Despite the tough road into this area, the short walk still draws many visitors and you will likely encounter others on your walk so be sure to behave courteously.
Heading in you will come to a fork in the trail. The right fork leads to the awesome caves and giant arch over the river. You will return to this fork after exploring the river and caves, where you’ll take the other fork to complete the loop.
Shortly after heading right at the fork you will climb up to a narrow entrance. This unobtrusive entrance fails to give a hint at the grandeur and awesomeness that await down below. You will scramble and walk down into the heart of the cave and be greeted with the photo below.
At first you may have trouble seeing in the darkness, but then you’ll see off ahead of you a huge arch and the Oparara river flowing under it! Walk on down and you can witness this amazing natural wonder in its full majesty and if you’re lucky you’ll get a nice photo before anyone else shows up.
Just to the right of the rivers edge, around a little corner another cave is hiding in plain sight. You can climb up a bit and then wander inside.
When you’ve had your fill, return back out of the cave to the fork in the trail where you came from. Then head right if you want to do the loop or go straight for the short return trip to your car. The loop is nice if you’re wanting to stretch your legs and see some more cool native bush. Shortly after starting the loop you will have a view back towards where you just came from!
The track passes by a small tarn that has great reflections. Along the walk you may see whio, robin, kaka, or weka.
My Insider’s Tips To The Moria Gate Arch Walk
Don’t despair if you somehow end up in Karamea without a vehicle (like we did after walking the Heaphy Walk). The trailhead to this walk is a decent drive out of town, but there are a few options. It’s 23 km from Karamea, with the final 13 km along a rugged unsealed road that is not suitable for large vehicles. You can either hire a car from Karamea or you can set up a day tour with a company and a guide. Inquire at the local Four Square or iSite.
There are actually a few walks in the Oparara Basin. Moria Gate and Oparara Arch, both of which head to beautiful limestone arches. Another fantastic walk, Box Canyon and Crazy Paving Caves, explores far into some cool caves where you have the chance to see cave weta. Be sure to bring along a head lamp or torch.