Lake Waikaremoana Hike

  •  
    Multi-day Hiking
  •  
    Kayaking
  •  
    Rafting
  •  
    Caving
  •  
    Biking
  •  
    Skiing
  •  
    Scuba Diving
  •  
    Snorkelling
Start: Rotorua 8:00am (pick up from your accommodation)
Finish: Rotorua 5:30pm (approx.)
Length: 4 days
Grade:
C (track uneven in places)
Accom: Backcountry Huts
Price: NZ$1,240
Departs: Oct - May - see see departures
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 New Zealand 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); 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.
   
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Wonderful in every way. Caring guides, nothing any trouble, very helpful.

Monica, New Zealand

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Did you know?

Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain, is 3753 m. Its Maori name Aoraki means 'cloud piercer'

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