Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk

The Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk is a multi-day hiking route that covers roughly 46 kilometers along the shores of a deep mountain lake surrounded by native rainforest. The path traces the southern and western edges of the water, climbing over ridges and passing through thick forest on its way around the lake.

European explorers documented the area in the early modern period, but Maori settlement in this region extends back many centuries before that. The walking track itself was created to open up this landscape to visitors while respecting the land's cultural importance.

The trail passes through lands sacred to the Ngai Tūhoe people, whose stories and place names are woven throughout the landscape. Walking here means moving through spaces where this community has lived and held meaning for many generations.

The route has huts and camping areas spaced along the way that need to be booked ahead of time before you start walking. The best season to visit is during warmer months when trail conditions are most stable and facilities are easier to reach.

The route includes a steep climb to Panekire Bluff at roughly 600 meters elevation, which opens up views across the deepest lake on the North Island. This challenging section rewards hikers with rare vantage points over the entire water and surrounding terrain.

Location: Wairoa District

Elevation above the sea: 600 m

Operator: Department of Conservation

Website: https://doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/east-coast/places/te-urewera/things-to-do/tracks/lake-waikaremoana-great-walk

GPS coordinates: -38.80003,177.12081

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:45