Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk

Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk

Lake Waikaremoana as viewed from track
Length 44 km (27 mi)
Location Lake Waikaremoana, Te Urewera National Park, New Zealand
Designation New Zealand Great Walk
Use Tramping, Trail running
Hiking details
Trail difficulty medium
Season Summer to Autumn
Surface dirt

The Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk is a 44 kilometre tramping track which follows the southern and western coast of Lake Waikaremoana in the North Island of New Zealand.[1] Passing through several types of forest, and grassland, track often provides excellent views over the lake. It is classified as one of New Zealand's Great Walks, and is located in the Te Urewera National Park.

Tramping

The trailheads are at Onepoto, and Hopuruahine, on the southern and northern edges of the lake respectively. Most people take 3 to 4 days to complete the trail.[2]

The trail passes through several areas of private land, and touches the edge of the Puketukutuku Peninsula Kiwi Refuge.

Place Distance Time Description
Onepoto 8.8 km 5 hours Passing the former Armed Constabulary Redoubt near the start of the trail, the track then climbs steeply up onto Panekire Bluff. The bluffs form part of the southern shore, and provide spectacular views over the expanse of the lake. Following the ridge, the trail has several sharp dips and climbs. Panekire Hut sits in a small clearing next to the Panekire Trig point (1180m), at the top of the cliffline, with excellent views of the lake.
Panekire Hut
7.6 km 3–4 hours The trail from Panekire Hut goes west, climbing and descending over the Panekire Range, before eventually descending precipitously into much taller and wetter forest. At the end of the descent lies Waiopaoa Hut and Campsite, on the edge of the Waiopaoa Inlet part of the lake.
Waiopaoa Hut and Campsite
3.6 km 1.5 hours Passes grassland, and forest, usually 10-20m from the lakeshore. Just before Korokoro campsite, there is a turnoff up Korokoro river, to Korokoro Falls which takes about 30 minutes each way.
Korokoro Campsite
6.8 km 2.5 hours This section has a very large number of meanders in the trail, as it follows the lakeside, and toward the Maraunui Campsite, follows a river upstream, before crossing it, and returning downstream.
Maraunui Campsite
1.7 km 0.5 hours A brief walk through grassland and over a small ridge.
Marauiti Hut and Campsite
6.2 km 2 hours Apart from a brief climb over a small peninsula, the trail follows the shoreline as it meanders northeast.
Waiharuru Hut and Campsite
2.1 km 1.5 hours Climbing fairly steeply, the trail crosses the neck of the Puketukutuku Peninsula, touching the edge of the Kiwi Reserve area. Descending the other side of the peninsula, the trail arrives at the Tapuaenui Campsite, back on the lake shore.
Tapuaenui Campsite
3.2 km 1 hour Again following the shore, the trail meanders along, through forest, before arriving at Whanganui Hut.
Whanganui Hut
2.7 km 0.75 hours After a short walk through the forest, the trail arrives at the beach where water taxis pickup and set-down passengers (they use the rocks on the east end of the beach). Sandflies are a problem whilst waiting here.
Water Taxi Stop
1.25 hours
Hopuruahine

The Department of Conservation provides very conservative estimates on the hiking time from point to point on the track, and experienced hikers may cover quoted distances in half of the recommended time.

Transport

As this track is not a circuit, transport is needed between the start and end of the trail. Most trampers use the services of one of the local shuttle bus or shuttle boat operators who can deliver and pick-up trampers at pre-arranged times. The start and end of the trail are both on State Highway 38.

There is a motor camp at Home Bay (Whanganui o parua Inlet), near the Āniwaniwa Visitor Centre.

All the huts/campsites are also accessible by boat, except for Panekire Hut, and there are several boat-ramps along State Highway 38.

View of Lake Waikaremoana from Panekiri Bluff

Fees and Reservations

Advance bookings required all year. Fees are NZ$32.00 for huts and NZ$14.00 for campsites.[3] Bookings can be made online or over the phone through the following link

Location

Lake from the car park

The Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk is located within Te Urewera National Park.[4] The nearest town to the trail is Wairoa, from where there are shuttles on demand to the lake.

Waikaremoana can be approached from two directions. State Highway 38 links Wairoa and the East Coast with the central North Island and passes the lake and the Āniwaniwa Visitor Centre. The highway is unsealed for about 80 kilometres between Murupara and the village of Tuai. There are well-marked side roads to the main boat ramps and Lake Track entrances.

Big Bush Holiday Park (06) 837 3777 runs a variety of transport services around the lake, including a twice weekly service to/from Rotorua and an on demand service to/from Wairoa.

Waikaremoana Guided Tours (06) 837 3729 offers a water taxi and shuttle bus service to either end of the track. This runs on demand in winter and to a timetable in summer.

References

  1. ↑ Lake Waikaremoana Department of Conservation
  2. ↑ Track description Department of Conservation
  3. ↑ Lake Waikaremoana Fees & Booking Department of Conservation
  4. ↑ Map and Profile - Lake Waikaremoana Department of Conservation
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Coordinates: 38°46′S 177°05′E / 38.767°S 177.083°E / -38.767; 177.083

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