Lake Waikaremoana Track

Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk follows the southern and western coast of Lake Waikaremoana in Te Urewera, running as a one-way tramping route rather than a loop. The standard walking distance is 46 km and most people take 3 to 4 days to complete it.

You start either at Onepoto (south side) or Hopuruahine Landing (north side). The route climbs out of the lake at the start, then works along ridgelines and lakeshore sections with several hut-to-hut legs.

Day 1 is the most demanding: Onepoto Shelter to Panekire Hut is 8.8 km (about 4–6 hours) and includes a sustained climb up to Panekire Bluff. The track goes through the former Armed Constabulary Redoubt area before reaching Panekire Trig (1180 m) and then Panekire Hut.

From Panekire Hut to Waiopaoa Hut and Campsite (7.6 km, about 3–4 hours), the track heads down from the Panekire Range and drops into forest down to the Waiopaoa inlet area where Waiopaoa Hut sits near the lake.

Waiopaoa Hut to Marauiti Hut (often described as 12 km; Great Walk timing puts it around 5 hours) follows the lake edge in and out of forest. Near the Waiopaoa area you can take the Korokoro Falls detour: a short side track from the main route to Korokoro Falls and back.

The final sections continue along the lake shore to the end at Hopuruahine Landing. DOC notes the segment from Waiharuru Hut and Campsite to Hopuruahine Landing as 9.5 km (about 4.5 hours), including a climb over the neck of the Puketukutuku Peninsula before descending toward the Whanganui arm and reaching the Hopuruahine Suspension Bridge.

Accommodation is spread across huts and designated campsites along the track (four huts and five campsites on the Great Walk), and bookings are required in the Great Walk season. Camping is only permitted at designated campsites on the route.

Because the track is one-way, you’ll need transport between Onepoto and Hopuruahine Landing. A water taxi service operates seasonally (typically October to April), with drop-offs and pickups available at ends and some huts/campsites; SH38 provides road access to the visitor centre/holiday park area near the trackheads. The Hopuruahine end is reached via a road noted as unsuitable for 2WD vehicles.

More information: Wikipedia, An In-Depth Guide to the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk, Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk: A Complete Guide