Whakapapa area walking tracks

Walking track

Description

Ohinetonga Track

Time: 2 – 3 hr loop track

35 km from Whakapapa village. Turn right onto SH 4 at National Park. Turn right at Owhango. The track winds through forest containing a variety of attractive scenery, the Ohinetonga Lagoon and some excellent examples of native trees. There are picnic areas and good places to swim along the river.

Taurewa Track

Time: 2 – 3 hr loop track

17 km from Whakapapa village. Take SH 47 north and turn left at John McDonald Road. Turn right at the intersection with Pukehinau Road, look for the Taurewa Track sign.

Okupata Caves are stream bed caves
and sometimes after heavy rain the
entrance becomes a bit of a log jam

The track starts on the edge of Tongariro Forest and follows old milling trails through the bush. The area is home to a wide variety of bird life.

Okupata Caves

25 km from Whakapapa village. Turn off SH 47 onto John McDonald Road. Turn left at the intersection with Pukehinau Road, continue to caves.

A natural and unmarked network of underground passages in Tongariro Forest. Only enter the caves with people who know them well as it is easy to get lost. Heavy rainfall may result in rising water levels in the caves, which may cause them to flood.

Tupapakurua Falls Track

Time: 4 – 5 hr return to Tupapakurua Falls Lookout

Begins at Fishers Road, National Park Village. 

Tupapakurua Falls

Tupapakurua Falls plummet to the valley floor in splendid isolation, amidst a forest of regenerating podocarps. From the start of Fishers Road walk approximately 30 minutes to the entrance to Tupapakurua Falls track (on the left hand side of Fishers Road). 

This old Forest Service track has been recently upgraded by the local community in partnership with DOC.  It begins with an easy 20 minute walk to the Taranaki Lookout with a view towards Mt Taranaki. 

From this point the track becomes a back country adventure track and is suitable for experienced trampers only. The track follows a ridge and then descends steeply down to a stream. There is a wonderful diversity of plant and tree species with good stands of tawa, mature rimu, miro and totara. Ascending from the stream, the track winds its way around bluffs with beautiful forest views and good lookout points to the Falls. Return via the same track. 

Rotopounamu

Lake Rotopounamu Track

It is 20 minutes to the lake one way or 2 hours to and around the 5 km loop track.

35 km from Whakapapa on SH 47. Rotopounamu (the greenstone lake) is a picturesque lake on the side of Mt Pihanga. See Rotopounamu track for a fuller description of the walk.

Plan and prepare

Before starting out, trampers should check the weather forecast and track conditions - Tongariro National Park weather is extremely changeable all year round. Be prepared for bad weather at all times.

Heavy rain will cause increased water flows in all streams and rivers in the park.

Remember to let a reliable person know where you are going and to check in with them on your return.

If you are overdue they should contact the police or the appropriate Department of Conservation office.

Giardia may be present in some streams in the park. We recommend you treat all water before you drink it.

Take with you:

windproof and waterproof clothing (raincoat and overtrousers)

sturdy comfortable shoes or boots

food, and plenty to drink

sunglasses and sunscreen if you are venturing above the snowline

first aid kit

 

What to expect on a walking track:

• Easy to moderate walking from a few minutes to a day
• Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy
• Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities
• Clearly sign posted. Stream and river crossings are bridged
• Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots required

 

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