Lake Waikaremoana, New Zealand - Basic Hike Itinerary

If you like fresh water, you'll love this hike. One of New Zealand's Great Walks and a very deserving one at that!

OVERVIEW

Location: Te Urewera, North Island New Zealand
Type: One Way
# Days: 4
Distance: 46km | 28.25mi
Water: Yes, rain tanks at each hut/campsite + lake
Grade: Great Walk Status (Tracks are well maintained and signposted)
Park Fees: No
Campsite/Hut Fees: Yes, per person per night
Closest Town: Wairoa
Official Track Info: DOC

ITINERARY

Day 1:
We stayed the previous night at Lake Waikairemoana Holiday Park. This meant the drive in the morning to Onepoto Car Park was just 20 minutes. We caught the water taxi across to the decommissioned Whananui Hut. It normally let’s you off at Whanganui but the lake levels were low at the time, so it shaved a fair amount of distance off our first day! Book the water taxi on the Ngāi Tūhoe website.

Hike: Whanganui Hut to Waiharuru Campsite
Distance: 6km | 3.7mi. Time: Approx 2 hours

Day 2:
Hike: Waiharuru Campsite to Korokoro Campsite
Distance: 14km | 8.7mi. Time: Approx 5.5 hours + Side Trip to Korokoro Falls 1 hour return.

Day 3:
Korokoro Campsite to Panekire Hut
Distance: 12km | 7.4mi. Time: Approx 4.5 hours

Day 4:
Panekire Hut to Onepoto Car Park
Distance: 9km | 5.6mi. Time: Approx 4.5 hours

We arrived at our trusty car and drove the 50 minutes to Wairoa. Staying the night at some accomodation with a shower!! Everybody on the track was doing it in reverse but I still like the thought of catching the water taxi at the start and hiking to the car. Just depends if you want to tackle the big hill on day 3 like us when your packs are a little lighter, or on the first day when your legs are fresh! There is a small car park at the other end but it is currently not suitable for 2WD.