This is a loop track that will take you longer if you stop to enjoy the water or views. It is possible to go to the pools and return the same way, without crossing the river. The track takes you to a series of pools formed by the scouring action of water-borne sand and gravel on 20,000-year-old lava.
The track begins from the car park 100m above the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre.
Walk through the Goblin Forest of twisted kamahi trunks hanging with ferns and mosses. Walk straight ahead past the turnoff to Waingongoro Hut. This junction is also where the return loop will bring you back later in the walk. Cross the Kapuni Stream. Take care here as the river bank may be eroded, making access difficult. There is no bridge across this stream.
Rock steps allow you to walk up beside the pools to the top but take care as it can be slippery. Return to the base of the pools to continue the walk. The rest of the loop leads through subalpine scrub and montane forest past Twin Falls and Bubbling Springs.
Walk past the road end’s water intake weir, cross the Kapuni Stream and turn left to return to the parking area.