Introduction

. Distance: 46 km
· Time: 4 - 5 days
· Grade: Moderate
· Higest point: 1180 m
· Island: North
· Location: Urewera National Park

The lake track is the most popular of walks in Te Urewera National Park. This tramp winds its way around the forested shores of lake Waikaremoana.

Trampers have a choice of either staying in one DOC's huts or at one of the designated camp sites, all of which have water supplies, toilets and cooking benches. The track is usually completed in 4 days.

The lake was create by a landslide in 2200 years ago, the landslide blocked a gorge on the Waikaretaheke River and water backed up creating the 248 m deap lake.

This track prodominately goes through beech, podocarp, kamahi forests, grasslands and kanuka forests. The National Park itself is home to some 650 types of native plants.

Birds that you might spot in the park include tui, bellbird, New Zealand falcon, kakariki, fantail, kaka, tomtit, North Island robin, rifleman, and at night the call of the morepork and North Island brown kiwi may be heard.

Times

· Onepoto to Panekiri Hut: 5 hr, 8.8 km
· Panekiri Hut to Waiopaoa Hut and campsite: 3-4 hr, 7.6 km
· Waiopaoa Hut to Maraunui Hut: 4 1/2hr, 12.2 km.
· Marauiti Hut to Waiharuru Hut and campsite: 2 hr, 6.2km
· Waiharuru Hut and campsite to Hopuruahine Bridge: 4 hr, 10.5km.

More Information

East Coast/Hawke's Bay Conservancy
63 Carnarvon Street,
PO Box 668
Gisborne
New Zealand

Ph:+64 6 869 0460
Fax:+64 6 867 8015