Lake Waikaremoana Track

The ground beneath your feet is the homeland of the Tūhoe people and very sacred

Where is it?

Located within Te Urewera National Park, 80km from Gisborne and 163km south of Rotorua.

Terrain

The track initially follows the lake edge and is uneven in places. Some steady climbs follow.

Need to know

Accommodation on this track is under review; check before you go.

3-4 days; 46km one way

Moderate to high fitness required

Undulating terrain

No dogs

TRACK OVERVIEW

Nestled within Te Urewera National Park, the Lake Waikaremoana hike is a Great Walk and multi-day excursion that takes in valleys, peaks and lakes. It can be completed year-round but excels in summer when swimming in the lake proves irresistible.

This unique Great Walk is managed by local iwi (Māori community), the Tūhoe and the land is critical to their turangawaewae (sense of identity). The mountainous Te Urewera region was the first natural feature in New Zealand law to be recognised as a legal entity in its own right.

Although you’ll predominately skirt the lake’s shoreline for four days, be aware that the route is not a complete circuit.

The changing landscape combines streams, steep ridge climbs, tunnel-like forest trails and rolling valleys of beech, podocarp and kāmahi shrub. All along the route you’ll likely witness a community of fantail, tomtit and kererū, and hear an orchestra of bellbird and tūī. Come nightfall, calls of the North Island brown kiwi trill from the darkness.

Lake Waikaremoana © Hawke’s Bay Tourism

Looking for a place to stay? Book accommodation at aa.travel.co.nz