| Great Hike |
| Start: | Rotorua 8:00am (pick up from your accommodation) |
| Finish: | Rotorua 5:30pm (approx.) |
| Length: | 4 days |
| Grade: | C (track uneven in places) |
| Price: | NZ$950 |
| Departs: | see trip dossier - see Departures |
Please click on the map to enlarge it
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Highlights: Lake Waikaremoana is situated in Te Urewera National Park, the largest area of untouched natural wilderness remaining in the North Island of New Zealand.
Highlights of the Lake Waikaremoana hike include: journeying through a forgotten wilderness area of NZ where small populations of Maori tribes still live in the forest; circumnavigating the beautiful and pristine Lake Waikaremoana; hiking through dense native rainforest in the most diverse botanical region of NZ; spectacular geological formations; abundant birdlife (kiwi, kaka, kereru, tui, etc.); rich history and opportunities for swimming in the lake.
Day 1:
Start your Lake Waikaremoana hike with a walk around the edge of an estuary to reach Lake Waikaremoana. Follow the shores of the lake to the first hut, passing a North Island brown kiwi reserve. Approx. 4 hours hiking.
Day 2:
Hike the length of the tranquil Wairaumoana arm of the lake, enjoying lakeside picnics and possibly swimming and kayaking. Side trip to idyllic Korokoro Falls. Approx. 6 hours hiking.
Day 3:
Climb the Panekiri Ridge, through dense Podocarp rainforest to the enchanted silver beech forest on the mountain tops. Breathtaking views of the lake, national park, Pacific Ocean, and get a birds-eye view of the terrain you covered over the past three days. Approx. 4 hours hiking.
Day 4:
Continue along the Panekiri Ridge to the infamous bluffs; sandstone rock ledges that drop sheer to the lake 600 metres below. Celebratory lunch then journey back to Rotorua. Approx. 5 hours hiking.
Click here for the detailed trip dossier
This trip goes well with the following tours:
"Lake Waikaremoana – Hiking in the North Island of New Zealand!"
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