Lake Waikaremoana

Description

Walking options

Lake Waikaremoana can be walked either from Onepoto in the south or Hopuruahine in the north. It's not a circuit track and is described here from Onepoto.

For a 3 night / 4 day trip:

• Day 1 - Onepoto to Panekire Hut
• Day 2 - Panekire Hut to Waiopaoa Hut
• Day 3 - Waiopaoa Hut to Marauiti Hut
• Day 4 - Marauiti Hut to Hopuruahine

Guided options are available.

Places to stay

There are five huts and five campsites on Lake Waikaremoana. These must be booked in advance.

Camping on the track is only permitted at the designated campsites.

Onepoto to Panekire Hut

Time: 5 hr
Distance: 8.8 km

This is the most strenuous part of the trip, but the views from Panekire make it well worthwhile.

The track starts from the Onepoto Shelter through the former Armed Constabulary Redoubt and climbs steadily up to the top of Panekire Bluff. It then follows the undulating ridgeline before reaching Puketapu Trig (1180 metres) and onto Panekire Hut. Please be prepared for low tank water levels at times during summer.

Views from Panekire on Google Street View

Panekire Hut

Category: Great Walk

Facilities: 36 bunk beds, heating, mattresses

Bookings required

Panekire Hut to Waiopaoa Hut and Campsite

Time: 3 - 4 hr
Distance: 7.6 km

From Panekire Hut, the track heads south-west down the range to the top of the Panekire descent. From here the track drops steeply off the range into rolling valleys of beech, podocarp and kamahi forest and the lake.

At the mouth of the Waiopaoa inlet is Waiopaoa Hut. The Waiopaoa Campsite is nearby.

Waiopaoa Hut

Category: Great Walk

Facilities: 30 bunk beds, heating, mattresses

Bookings required

Waiopaoa Hut to Korokoro Campsite

Time: 1 hr 30 min
Distance: 3.6 km

Head up the Waiopaoa Stream a short distance before crossing grassy flats and heading through kanuka forest on the lake shore. Just before the Korokoro suspension bridge there is a turn-off to Korokoro Falls. Korokoro Campsite is 200 metres past the bridge and a short distance off the main track, towards the lake shore.

Side trip: Korokoro Falls

Time: 30 min

These falls are a must-see. 

Korokoro Falls on Google Street View

Korokoro Campsite to Maraunui Campsite

Time: 2 hr 30 min
Distance: 6.8 km

The track, while undulating, weaves its way through and up and over a number of small ridges, through young rimu wooded areas and along the lake edge. A short track off the main track leads to the Maraunui Campsite.

Maraunui Campsite to Marauiti Hut

Time: 30 min
Distance: 1.7 km

A brief climb over Whakaneke Ridge takes you to Marauiti Hut. This is great spot to stop for the night - at dusk you can go for a walk to the edge of the Puketukutuku Peninsula where you may hear the call of the kiwi.

Marauiti Hut

Category: Great Walk

Facilities: 26 bunk beds, heating, mattresses

Bookings required

Marauiti Hut to Waiharuru Hut and Campsite

Time: 2 hr
Distance: 6.2 km

After crossing the bridge over the stream running into Marauiti Bay the track crosses a saddle to rejoin the shore at Te Totara Bay. The track then stays close to the shore to Waiharuru Hut and Waiharuru Campsite.

Waiharuru Hut

Category: Great Walk

Facilities: 40 bunk beds, heating, mattresses

Bookings required

Waiharuru Hut and Campsite to Tapuaenui Campsite

Time: 1 hr 30 min 
Distance: 2.1 km

The track runs parallel to the lakeshore before rising over the neck of the Puketukutuku Peninsula, then down to the Tapuaenui Campsite on the Whanganui arm of the lake.

Tapuaenui Campsite to Whanganui Hut

Time: 1 hr
Distance: 3.2 km

From here the track follows the shore to Whanganui Hut  in a clearing alongside the Whanganui Stream.

Whanganui Hut

Category: Great Walk

Facilities: 18 bunk beds, heating, mattresses

Bookings required

Whanganui Hut to water taxi pick-up/drop-off point and track start/end

Time: 2 hr
Distance: 4.2 km

From Whanganui Hut, the track contours above the lake shore before a climb up and over the ridgeline into the Huiarau Stream. The track then follows the grassy Hopuruahine River flats to reach the Hopuruahine suspension bridge.

Note: Water taxi pick-up/drop-off is in the vicinity of Whanganui Hut (300 m approximately east of hut on point) – lake level dependent.

Fees and bookings

Getting there

Location of Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk

Waikaremoana can be approached from two directions. SH38 links Wairoa and the East Coast with the central North Island, and passes the lake and the DOC Visitor Centre at Aniwaniwa.

The highway is a gravel surface for about 90 km between Murupara and Aniwaniwa.

Privately owned shuttle buses and water taxis provide transport to either end of the walk. This allows walkers to leave their vehicle at one of the free carparks where they are more secure than at the track ends. DOC accepts no responsibility for damage to vehicles left unattended in Te Urewera.

Free carparks are available at:

• Waikaremoana Motorcamp
• DOC Visitor Centre
• Big Bush Holiday Park
• Byre B&B (4934 Lake Road, 5 mins before Onepoto).

We recommend booking transport services in advance, especially in the quieter season, as they operate on demand. 

Plan and prepare

To ensure you enjoy your trip in all weathers, you will need to be reasonably fit and have good equipment. The walk is a moderate tramp with a climb and descent of about 600 metres over the Panekire Ridge. You can expect to walk 4-6 hours a day and carry a pack of up to 15 kg.

There are no gas cookers or cooking equipment in the huts so you need to carry your own. Bring your own toilet paper as well, as it is not provided. If you are camping you will also need to carry a tent and a sleeping mat.

Note that it can snow in summer - come prepared.

Know before you go

Make sure you are properly equipped and well prepared. The weather at Lake Waikaremoana is changeable and can be cold, wet and snowing, even in summer. Please check at the visitor centre for information on weather and track conditions and fill in your itinerary in hut books as you go.

Boil, filter or chemically treat water if you doubt its purity.

Keep to the track. If you become lost, stop, find shelter, stay calm, and try to assist searchers.

What to expect

• Climb and descend about 600 m over the Panekire Ridge
• Walk 4-6 hours a day
• Carry a pack of up to 15 kg

Remember

• All native wildlife in the park is protected.
• No rubbish facilities are provided. All rubbish must be carried out of the park.
• To protect ground-dwelling birds, no dogs or other domestic animals are permitted on the track.
• Fire is a major threat. Fires can be used for cooking or warmth, unless there is a temporary fire ban, however, a portable stove is a better option.
• If you are hunting - use firearms carefully. Always identify your target. Unload your firearm and remove the bolt before entering huts, and store ammunition and bolts separately from the firearm.
• Native plants and animals must not be disturbed, destroyed or removed. The bush is a taonga, a treasure for all.
• Hunting is by permit only.

What to take

Huts on the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk don't have gas cooking facilities, lighting or toilet paper. Remember to take a portable stove and fuel, candles and toilet paper with you.

Personal equipment

• Backpack (40–60 litre size for multi-day hiking)
• Waterproof/plastic pack liner
• Sleeping bag (3–4 season)
• First aid kit (including insect repellent, sunscreen, blisterkit, personal medication e.g. antihistamine for allergy towasp stings)
• Survival kit (survival blanket, whistle, paper, pencil, highenergy snack food)
• Safety equipment relevant to the track and time of year (e.g. map, compass)
• Drink bottle (1-2 litre capacity)
• Eating and cooking utensils (knife, fork, spoon, plate, cup,pot/pan/billy, cleaning kit, tea towel)
• Matches or lighter in waterproof container
• Toiletries
• Torch/flashlight and spare batteries
• Rubbish bag
• Booking confirmation letter and ID
• Portable stove and fuel
• Candles
• Toilet paper
• Visit the Kiwi way – never miss an opportunity to use a loo and be prepared with a back-up toilet option

If you're camping...

• Tent
• Sleeping mat

Optional

• Camera
• Ear plugs for communual bunkrooms

Clothing

• For multi-day walking you'll need at least one set of clothes to walk in and another dry set to change into at night. Walking boots or firm footwear (should be comfortable and well broken in)
• Socks (wool or polypropylene)
• Shorts (quick dry material)
• Shirt (wool or polypropylene)
• Under layers, top and bottom (wool or polypropylene)
• Mid-layers (wool or polar fleece)
• Raincoat (waterproof, windproof with hood)
• Overtrousers (wind and water proof)
• Warm hat and gloves
• Sunhat and sunglasses
• Extra socks, underwear, shirt/lightweight jersey

Optional

• Gaiters
• Lightweight shoes for inside the huts

Food

You can't buy food on the track.

Bring food that is lightweight, fast cooking and high in energy value. For example:

• Breakfast: cereal/porridge/oats, firm bread, honey or other spreads
• Lunch: cracker biscuits, cheese, salami, jam/jelly, fruit
• Dinner: instant soup, pasta or rice, dried vegetables or fruit, cheese or dehydrated (freeze-dried) meals.

You'll also need water, snacks, biscuits, muesli bars, tea or coffee, powdered fruit drinks and emergency food in case of any delays on the track.

Nature and conservation

Natural history

Waikaremoana was formed only 2,200 years ago by a huge landslide, which blocked a narrow gorge along the Waikaretaheke River.

Water backed up behind this landslide to form a lake up to 248 metres deep. The lake edge has since been modified by a hydro electric development which lowered the level by 5 metres in 1946.

The area is formed from young mudstone, siltstone and sandstone, mostly about 10-15 million years old. These sediments were originally part of the sea floor, but about two million years ago uplift brought them above sea level.

The mountains and hills of the area have been shaped by continuous erosion. Major valleys like the Aniwaniwa Valley have been carved more deeply from softer mudstones, while the more solid sandstones have tended to form ridges like Panekire.

The vegetation of the Waikaremoana area forms a protective green cloak, mantling countless ridges and valleys. There are more than 650 types of native plant in Te Urewera, some nationally rare. The vegetation pattern is ever changing - disturbances by volcanic activity, fire and storm damage, possum and deer have modified the forest in many areas. The lowering of the lake for power generation has encouraged forest regeneration along the shore.

Many birds live in the forest. Among the more notable are kereru (wood pigeon), kaka (forest parrot), kakariki (parakeet), North Island robin, New Zealand falcon and rifleman, and at night, morepork (forest owl) and North Island brown kiwi.

Grey, mallard and paradise ducks are common on the lake edge, and New Zealand scaup, kingfishers and white faced herons are found in sheltered areas.

Both of New Zealand’s rare native bat species, the long-tailed and short-tailed, are present in the park.

Deer, pigs and possums are found throughout Te Urewera. They have a major impact on the ecology of the forest and its bird life. DOC encourages hunting of these animals and permits are available free from any DOC office in the East Coast Hawke’s Bay.

Kiwi recovery work

Prior to human arrival there may have been as many as 12 million kiwi in New Zealand. The introduction of predators - e.g. mustelids (stoats, ferrets, weasels), dogs, cats, pigs and possums - has decimated them to a tiny proportion of the original number.

Work begun in 1991 by Landcare Research NZ into kiwi decline in the area identified that predation of kiwi chicks by stoats was the main cause. With assistance from the Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery Programme, DOC and the Lake Waikaremoana Hapu Restoration Trust (a local Maori hapu trust) formed a partnership to halt the decline of kiwi at Waikaremoana.

The focus has been on predator control on the Puketukutuku Peninsula. Traps have been laid to kill stoats, the main threat to kiwi chicks. Kiwi numbers and movement are also monitored. Possum and rat trapping complements the programme.

Kiwi numbers are increasing in the area and visitors may hear their calls at night. Only continued intensive predator control will ensure a kiwi population recovery.

History and culture

The remote nature of Te Urewera has for centuries cloaked and sheltered the Tuhoe, the local Maori people. Tuhoe spiritual and cultural traditions are closely linked with the forested hills of the park.

In pre-European times, life was determined by the practical demands of an annual cycle of food gathering. Te Urewera nurtured an industrious and resilient people with links to the land. No part of the forest was left unexplored.

The Waikaremoana catchment is dotted with areas of private land, some held sacred by the Tuhoe people. Where the walk crosses private land, you are welcome to pass through, but please stay on the marked track.

Hine-pukohu-rangi came from the sky luring Te Maunga, the mountain, to earth with her. Their child was a mortal being, Tuhoepotiki; his descendants are the Tuhoe people. Tuhoe are thus children of the supernatural, born of the remote mountain and the drifting mist.

The symbol you see on signs, shelters and other facilities along the lake track is an interpretation of Hine-pukohu-rangi. 

Contacts