Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk

The 44-kilometer track follows the southern and western shores of Lake Waikaremoana through native rainforest and along mountain ridges.

The area gained unique legal status in 2014 when Te Urewera region received recognition as an independent entity with rights equal to humans.

The track lies within Te Urewera, the ancestral lands of Ngai Tūhoe people who maintain strong connections to this forested region for centuries.

Four Department of Conservation huts and five designated campsites require advance booking, with facilities spaced at regular intervals along the track.

The trail includes a steep ascent to Panekire Bluff at 600 meters elevation, offering views across the North Island's deepest lake.

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: May 17, 2025 10:45