This Great Walk is rated as medium and takes in the beautiful Lake Waikaremoana, located in Te Urewera in the North Island of New Zealand. A free of charge, 46-mile end to end trail that can be hiked in either direction with campsites or huts along the way which operate on a per person, per night basis. The trail heads can be reached by water taxi which should be booked in advance as early as possible. A rugged and spectacular backcountry trail from Onepoto to Hopuruahine, this long-distance trail is a taste of wild New Zealand. Usually walked over 3 – 4 days, hikers can stay in huts or designated campsites which must be booked in advance. There are five huts and five campsites on Lake Waikaremoana and accommodation can be found for before and after the trail at Waikaremoana Holiday Park. This trail is part of the Great Walks family; 10 Great Walks around New Zealand showcasing the New Zealand’s breath-taking landscapes, from coast, fjordland and forest to mountain peaks and backcountry. Highlights include hiking in Te Urewera, a significant cultural, spiritual, and historical area, spectacular views over Lake Waikaremoana from Panekire Bluff, a side trail to Korokoro Falls and multiple hut stays in New Zealand’s stunning backcountry. The trail ends at Hopuruahine suspension bridge, where water taxi pick-ups and drop-offs are available near the Whanganui Hut, depending on the lake water levels. Find out all you need to know about hut stays, campsites, how to book, and how much they cost here. (https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/east-coast/places/te-urewera/things-to-do/tracks/lake-waikaremoana-great-walk/) Based on our data, the trail is graded as medium . For information on how we grade trails, please click here. Also, check our latest community posts for trail updates.This trail can be completed in approx 3 - 4 days. Caution is advised on trail times as this depends on multiple variables. For more info, click here.
