Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0 
Photo: Steffen Sledz ( Zone42 ), CC BY-SA 3.0
Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk
A three to four day Great Walk along the shores of Lake Waikaremoana in Te Urewera, from Onepoto over Panekire Bluff to Hopuruahine.
At a glance
- Starts in
- Onepoto
- Ends in
- Hopuruahine Landing
- Length
- 44 km
- On foot
- 3–4 days
- Countries
New Zealand
About the trail
Te Urewera, in the east of the North Island, is the homeland of Ngāi Tūhoe and is recognised in New Zealand law as a living person, governed by its own board. The Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk follows the shore of its great lake through rainforest, beginning with a climb to Panekire Bluff, whose views take in the lake and the old ranges around it.
Below the bluff the track keeps close to the water, past bays, beaches and side trips such as Korokoro Falls, which drop off a sheer cliff in the forest. The two ends lie about 30 km apart and are linked by water taxi, usually from October to April.
The tracks and huts are cared for by Te Uru Taumatua, Tūhoe's operational body, with Tūhoe wardens at the main huts in the peak season. The Department of Conservation describes a walk of three to four days with four huts and five campsites, all of which must be booked, and notes that Whanganui Hut is closed.