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Moria Gate Arch Walk

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Moria Gate Arch Walk

4.9 16 reviews

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Entrance to Moria

Itinerant Traveller

Entrance to Moria

Itinerant Traveller

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Judith Bishop

Judith Bishop

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Rivers ran red with Dwarfs blood

eliduke

Rivers ran red with Dwarfs blood

eliduke

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Information

Moria Gate Arch Walk

1 hr return

This is stunning country. Lord of the Rings styles and you almost expect to see a Dwarf or hobbit around each corner. The only thing that might put you off is the drive in - it's a long winding road.
In lord of the Rings Moria (Black Chasm) was the name given to a vast network of tunnels, chambers, mines and huge halls, that ran under the Misty Mountains, and home to the Dwarf clan known as the Longbeards.
All three of the short tracks in close proximity, Moria Gate, Oparara Arch and Mirror Tarn are well worth a look.

NOTE - Entrance road has a 2.8 metre height restriction barrier. Suitable for smaller Campervans only. It's a long and winding road (gravel version, not the Beatles one). Take it easy.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

DOC West Coast

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Karamea

Categories
  • Activity__walking_and_trekkingWalking

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-41.1509911599045

172.190734052658

Latitude
-41.1509911599045
Longitude
172.190734052658
Feature Value Info

Track Duration

  • 30 mins to 1 hour 30 mins to 1 hour

Track Duration

How long does it take to walk this track on average?

30 mins to 1 hour

30 mins to 1 hour

Track Difficulty

  • Easy walk Easy walk

Track Difficulty

Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete?

Easy walk

Easy walk

Payment Requirement

  • Free access/participation Free access/participation

Payment Requirement

Is there a cost for this experience or is it free?

Free access/participation

Free access/participation

The experience costs no money to access or take part in.

Track Length

  • 1km to 3km

Track Length

What is the physical length of this track?

1km to 3km

DOC Track Category

  • Walking track Walking track

DOC Track Category

What type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)?

Walking track

Walking track

Easy to moderate walking from a few minutes to a day. Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy. Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities. Clearly signposted. Stream and river crossings are bridged. Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots required.

Track Managing Organisation

  • DOC Managed DOC Managed

Track Managing Organisation

What type of organisation operates this walking track?

DOC Managed

DOC Managed

This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.

Original

Nearby

Reviews

    • Very nice walks.

      Icon__personAC Koopal

    • The tracks are realatively new.

      Icon__personMattias Thorm

    • Good tracks, amazing spider cave.

      Icon__personJenna Kuittinen

    4.9 16 Reviews Analysis

  • I loved the difference between the Moria Arch and Oparara Arch.

    It's really worth checking both.

    The hidden entrance of the Moria Arch is super cool. It opens up before your eyes.

    Not a dwarf in sight.

    Reviewed 6 days ago

    Cymen Crick's avatar

    Cymen Crick

  • Very nice walks.

    The road is only for max 2.8m tall cars (so no RV) amd quite narrow and bumpy with some washboards. We did it with a campervan (Jucy Chaser Hittop) amd it was doable but a confident driver is important.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2020

    AC Koopal's avatar

    AC Koopal

  • Mostly well signposted through thick rainforest walks.

    Gorgeous. Walks to the Mirror Tarn and Moria Arch and Oparara Arch were all stunning.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2017

    Monica Francia's avatar

    Monica Francia

  • Very easy and short walks suitable for all levels of fitness.

    Absolutely stunning landscape and rivers along the well formed tracks.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2017

    Ingrid Maple's avatar

    Ingrid Maple

  • Beautiful walk to the arch, the arch is stunning!

    Take repellant because there are lots of sandflies. Can be slippery, so stay on the paths and be safe!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2017

    Danielle's avatar

    Danielle

  • Good tracks, amazing spider cave.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2016

    Jenna Kuittinen's avatar

    Jenna Kuittinen

  • The narrow bumpy drive in to this DOC managed area was well worth it.

    In particular, the Moria Gate Arch track was a superb one hour walk through beautiful forest to a breathtaking natural arch.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2016

    Steve Barnwell's avatar

    Steve Barnwell

  • Beautiful bush walk and an amazing huge arch with a river flowing through it and pretty cool stalactites and stalagmites.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2016

    Sara and Antoine's avatar

    Sara and Antoine

  • Exciting road to carpark - not good for motorhomes because of potholes.

    Nice, easy walks to the stunning arches. Beautiful scenery and a lot to discover here.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2015

    Markus Delinsky's avatar

    Markus Delinsky

  • Beautiful nature, a great variety of trees, landscapes and views.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2013

    Colin Webster's avatar

    Colin Webster

  • Bit of a drive from Westport and an easy and short track but very nice.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2012

    Lydia Holleman's avatar

    Lydia Holleman

  • The closest thing to Pandora (the planet on Avatar movie) I have ever seen.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2011

    Sid's avatar

    Sid

  • Well maintained tracks, good signposting, great views, recommended.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in May 2011

    John Wekking 's avatar

    John Wekking

  • A good unsealed road into Kahurangi National park.

    Many long walking tracks. We only did the short ones (Free!)

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2010

    Colin Morbey's avatar

    Colin Morbey

  • The tracks are realatively new.

    The way along the Oparara river is great and the arches are awesome. But mind the road to the tracks. Driving there is hard and not for everyone.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2010

    Mattias Thorm's avatar

    Mattias Thorm

  • This walk is so worth the painful gravel access road.

    One of the best walks and scenery.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2009

    davidne's avatar

    davidne