Length 44 km (27 mi) Season Summer to Autumn | Trail difficulty medium Surface dirt | |
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Uses Tramping in New Zealand, Trail running | ||
Lake waikaremoana great walks
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. 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.
Contents
- Lake waikaremoana great walks
- New zealand s lake waikaremoana great walk day 1
- Tramping
- Transport
- Fees and Reservations
- Location
- References
New zealand s lake waikaremoana great walk day 1
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.
The trail passes through several areas of private land, and touches the edge of the Puketukutuku Peninsula Kiwi Refuge.
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.
Fees and Reservations
Advance bookings required all year. Fees are NZ$32.00 for huts and NZ$14.00 for campsites. Bookings can be made online or over the phone through the following link [1]
Location
The Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk is located within Te Urewera National Park. 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.
Lake Road B&B (recommended by Lonely Planet as one of Hawke's Bay's preferred accommodation providers) (Tel: (06) 838 6890) is located 23 km from Wairoa, on Lake Road as you approach Lake Waikaremoana, and provides gourmet Thai evening meals on request.
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.