Lake Waikaremoana Track

This is the most strenuous part of the trip, but the views from Panekire make it worthwhile. The track starts from the Onepoto Shelter through the former Armed Constabulary Redoubt and climbs steadily up to the top of Panekire Bluff. It then follows the undulating ridgeline before reaching Puketapu Trig (1180 metres) and onto Panekire Hut. Be prepared for low tank water levels at times during summer.

From Panekire Hut, the track heads south-west down the range to the top of the Panekire descent. From here the track drops steeply off the range into rolling valleys of beech, podocarp and kamahi forest and the lake. At the mouth of the Waiopaoa inlet is Waiopaoa Hut. The Waiopaoa Campsite is nearby.

Head up the Waiopaoa Stream a short distance before crossing grassy flats and heading through kanuka forest on the lake shore. Just before the Korokoro suspension bridge there is a turn-off to Korokoro Falls (a 1 hour return trip). The falls are worth the extra trip but the track can be slippery in places and you'll have to cross the stream, so be prepared for wet boots. Korokoro Campsite is 200 metres past the bridge and a short distance off the main track, towards the lake shore. To continue on to Marauiti Hut, the track, while undulating, weaves its way through and up and over a number of small ridges, through young rimu wooded areas and along the lake edge. A short track off the main track leads to the Maraunui Campsite and a brief climb over Whakaneke Ridge takes you to Marauiti Hut. This is great spot to stop for the night - at dusk you can go for a walk to the edge of the Puketukutuku Peninsula where you may hear the call of the kiwi.

After crossing the bridge over the stream running into Marauiti Bay the track crosses a saddle to rejoin the shore at Te Totara Bay. The track then stays close to the shore to Waiharuru Hut and Waiharuru Campsite. The track runs parallel to the lakeshore before rising over the neck of the Puketukutuku Peninsula, then around the Whanganui arm of the lake. The water taxi now takes people to and from the track at the lakefront close to the old Whanganui Hut site. From the old Whanganui Hut site, the track contours above the lake shore before a climb up and over the ridgeline into the Huiarau Stream. The track then follows the grassy Hopuruahine River flats to reach the Hopuruahine suspension bridge.

There are five huts and five campsites on Lake Waikaremoana. These must be booked in advance. Huts do not have gas cooking facilities, lighting or toilet paper. Remember to take a portable stove and fuel, candles and toilet paper with you. Some provisions are available at the Lake Waikaremoana Holiday Park store. Check out user reviews about each hut or campsite to help plan your itinerary: Panekire Hut Waiopaoa Hut and Waiopaoa Campsite Korokoro Campsite Marauiti Hut Maraunui Campsite Waiharuru Hut and Waiharuru Campsite Note: Whanganui Hut has been removed and Tapuaenui Campsite is permanently closed.

Lake Waikaremoana can be walked either from Onepoto in the south or Hopuruahine in the north. It's not a circuit track, so transport needs to be arranged to and from each end. Use this location in Google Maps to find your way there. There is a water taxi service to and from each end of the Great Walk, and to individual Huts and campsites around the lake, out of Te Urewera Visitor Centre (Te Karetu). You need to book ahead by contacting the water taxi by email to waiwaixpres@gmail.com, or on their booking site.

We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz . We recommend trying these online learning tools: Trip Planning Tramping / field Skills Basic Navigation River Safety Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel .

Lake Waikaremoana lies between altitudes of 600 and 1200 m. While the East Coast tends to be dry, the Te Urewera ranges are open to significant rain from the west or east. The weather at Lake Waikaremoana is changeable. Cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur at any time of the year, including summer. Te Urewera is a rainforest, so tracks are often muddy.

No dogs.