Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk

Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk
Lake Waikaremoana as viewed from track
Length	44 km (27 mi)
Location	Lake Waikaremoana, Te Urewera National Park, New Zealand
Designation	New Zealand Great Walk
Use	Tramping, Trail running
Hiking details
Trail difficulty	medium
Season	Summer to Autumn
Surface	dirt

The Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk is a 44 kilometre tramping track which follows the southern and western coast of Lake Waikaremoana in the North Island of New Zealand. Passing through several types of forest, and grassland, track often provides excellent views over the lake. It is classified as one of New Zealand's Great Walks, and is located in the former Te Urewera National Park.

The trailheads are at Onepoto, and Hopuruahine, on the southern and northern edges of the lake respectively. Most people take 3 to 4 days to complete the trail.

The trail passes through several areas of private land, and touches the edge of the Puketukutuku Peninsula Kiwi Refuge.

The Department of Conservation provides very conservative estimates on the hiking time from point to point on the track, and experienced hikers may cover quoted distances in half of the recommended time.

As this track is not a circuit, transport is needed between the start and end of the trail. Most trampers use the services of one of the local shuttle bus or shuttle boat operators who can deliver and pick-up trampers at pre-arranged times. The start and end of the trail are both on State Highway 38.

There is a motor camp at Home Bay (Whanganui o parua Inlet), near the Āniwaniwa Visitor Centre.

All the huts/campsites are also accessible by boat, except for Panekire Hut, and there are several boat-ramps along State Highway 38.

Advance bookings required all year. Fees are NZ$32.00 for huts and NZ$14.00 for campsites. Bookings can be made online or over the phone through the following link [1]

The Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk is located within the now-disestablished Te Urewera National Park. The nearest town to the trail is Wairoa, from where there are shuttles on demand to the lake.

Waikaremoana can be approached from two directions. State Highway 38 links Wairoa and the East Coast with the central North Island and passes the lake and the Āniwaniwa Visitor Centre. The highway is unsealed for about 80 kilometres between Murupara and the village of Tuai. There are well-marked side roads to the main boat ramps and Lake Track entrances.