The Lake Waikaremoana Track is more of a back country, off the beaten track than the other NZ Great Walks. Come along with me for an epic four day, three night camping adventure in my tiny tent. I started on the lakeside at the Hopuruahine Landing and walking to the Waiopaoa Camp before tackling the famous Panekire Mountain on Day Four where I was rewarded with the magnificent views from the Panekire Bluff.

Highlights

- Beautiful walking trail through spectacular native podocarp forest

- Panekire Bluff has magnificent views

- Urewera National Park is stunning

- The amazing Korokoro Falls is well worth the detour

- Untold places to swim in the lake

- Beautiful lake views

- Kiwi in the forest

- Bird songs in the forest

- Sounds of nature

Lowlights

- The track, huts and infrastructure are in a poor state of repair when compared to the other NZ Great Walks and there were no Rangers present anywhere while I was there.

The Facts:

Lake Waikaremoana Track, New Zealand Great Walks.

ℹ️Stats

📅 Date: 27/12/20222 - 30/12/2022

☀️Weather: New Zealand Summer; fine, rain, cloudy, sunny

🌲Location: Lake Waikaremoana Track, Urewera National Park, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

⛺️ Accommodation: New Zealand Great Walk Campsites. Bookings Required - $14 per person per night. Huts: $32

Day 1 – Onepoto Wharf to Hopuruahine Landing (private charter/water taxi). Waharuru Campsite

Time: 2h 29 m (hike)Distance: 8.54 km

Elevation: 131m

Day 2 – Waharuru Campsite to Korokoro Campsite

Time: 5h 26m

Distance: 19.116 km

Elevation: 352m

Day 3 – Korokoro Campsite to Korokoro Waterfall to Waiopaoa Campsite

Time: 2h 9m

Distance: 7.75km

Elevation: 64m

Day 4 – Waiopaoa Campsite to Onepoto Shelter and Village

Time: 5h 46mDistance: 21.05km

Elevation: 1003m

Notes

I walked the track in reverse which meant by the time I reached Mount Panekire on Day Four, my pack was lighter

It is necessary to arrange ahead of time for water taxi’s at the start and/or at the finish of the Track. Alternatively, it is possible to leave a car at each end.

There’s no cell phone coverage for most of the track. Limited coverage at Panekire Hut and Bluff and surrounds.

Nearby accommodation at the Lake Waikaremoana Holiday Park.