Harwood's Hole
Abel Tasman National Park
- 2 hr return via same track
- Easy/medium
Short walk to Harwood's Hole, a deep vertical shaft.
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Walking time
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2 hr |
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Distance
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5.8km |
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Type
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Return via same track
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Grade
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Easy/medium
Vertical shaft and cliffs are unfenced Grades explained
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Bookings
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No bookings — open access
No — open access
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Starts
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Canaan car park, at the end of the 11km Canaan Downs Road, off SH60 |
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Maps
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NZTopo50-BP25
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Harwood's Hole is a dry sinkhole, and at 176m New Zealand's deepest natural vertical shaft. The hole was only entered as recently as 1958, and remains accessible only to experienced cavers, although a walk to the mouth is worthwhile.
Warning: the shaft is unfenced. Take extreme care with children. Do not throw rocks into the shaft as cavers may be below.
The walk sets off from the car park and camping area through dry beech forest. After 30 minutes, a side trail leads up to an outcrop of delicately fluted marble with limited views of the hole but good views of the Takaka Valley to the west. The main trail continues along a rocky gully to the hole itself. The walls of the hole extend high above, and also far below, with the bottom of the shaft well and truly hidden from sight.