You are here: Home / Archives for trekking in taupo

Lake Taupo walks Opepe Graves and Northern Walking Track

November 4, 2009 By Carl View Comments

Time: 30 – 45 minutes, loop track

This is one of my most favourite walks it has a lot of the early European/Maori history of Taupo at this site

See also Southern Opepe walk to get there follow the Napier/Taupo Highway (SH 5) 17 km from Taupo. The highway has parks on either side of the Opepe Scenic and Historic Reserve.

On the northern side a short walk brings you to a graveyard where members of the Bay of Plenty Cavalry, who died in an engagement with followers of the Maori warrior Te Kooti, were buried. Later, residents of Opepe Township and the Armed Constabulary were also buried there.

Continue around the bush loop track through mature podocarp (rimu, matai, miro) forest – unusual in this region as so much was destroyed by the Taupo eruption of 186AD and later by fires and the woodman’s axe. This is a very nice walk, and suitable for any one that is able bodied.

Print
Filed Under: Taupo, Trails Tagged With: , , , ,

Lake Taupo walk W2K

November 4, 2009 By Carl View Comments

 

This is the jewel in the crown of Taupo walks, it is a two way track which starts at either Whakaipo or Kinloch and then tracks up the mighty headlands to reward the walker with fantastic views of Lake Taupo and Mount Ruapehu, the track is hugely popular and is used by walkers/runners and Mountain bikers, just remember this as it is a two way track.

New sections have been opened to lengthen the track so you get better access to the area, on the way home there are two great cafes located in Kinloch, and the beach is a fantastic place to swim in the summer time.  

And just recently the track has been used as part of the Mizuno Half Marathon series.  

http://www.biketaupo.org.nz/content/category/5/75/112/

Print
Filed Under: Taupo, Trails Tagged With: , , , ,

Lake Taupo Mount Tauhara walk

November 4, 2009 By Carl View Comments

Just 6 kilometres (4 mi) east of the town of Taupo stands Mount Tauhara which is a dormant strato-volcano, reaching 3,569 feet (1,088 m) above sea level, and is situated within the Taupo caldera towards the centre of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which stretches from White Island in the north, to Mount Ruapehu in the south, to Mount Taranaki in the west. [1]. It is, New Zealand, next to the north-eastern shore of Lake Taupo.

This mountain is a great little climb, especially on a fine morning, the views are fantastic.

It was formed about 65,000 years ago; Mount Tauhara was not a violently explosive vent, instead slowly oozing viscous dacitic lava. It is the largest mass of dacite within the Taupo volcano, whose material is 98% rhyolitic.

There is an amazing walk to the top of the Mount, and on fine days affords a wonderful view of Lake Taupo and surrounding district.

As an interesting foot note, Tauhara in Maori language means “Alone”

Mount Tauhara

Mount Tauhara

Print
Filed Under: Mountains around Taupo, Taupo, Trails Tagged With: , , , ,

Great walks Lake Taupo Spa Park to Huka Falls

November 4, 2009 By Carl View Comments

From Spa park to Huka Falls

Huka Falls Walkway

Time: 2 hours return via the same track.

This walk is a pleasant and undemanding walk the track is well maintained. Turn right off Tongariro Street into Spa Road at the northern end of Taupo, then left into County Avenue and drive into Spa Thermal Park. Following the signs, walk for five minutes across the park to the Waikato River.

At the start of the walkway, a bridge crosses a natural hot stream. The well-defined track winds along the riverbank and offers lovely views on the way. The walk finishes at the spectacular Huka Falls, where the Waikato River is confined to a deep rock channel. The river emerges with a rush at the northern end to form the falls.

This a fantastic walk for the whole family, with the reward of a hot swim at the return in the river.

This walk can be linked with the Aratiatia Rapids Walk.

The Mighty Huka Falls

The Mighty Huka Falls

Print
Filed Under: Taupo, Trails Tagged With: , , ,

Great walks in Lake Taupo look out

November 4, 2009 By Carl View Comments

Lakefront Lookout

In 1961 the Taupo Lions Club built this lookout which provides visitors with an expansive view of the lake and Tongariro National Park (World Heritage Area) at the southern end of Lake Taupo.

This walk runs the entire lake front area of the Lake Taupo Township, with a cobbled path that starts above the marina and then ends at 5 mile bay, the path is about 8 kilometres long and has numerous vista points and seats to stop at and enjoy the view. The path is a shared path and if you feel inclined you can hire a push bike and pedal you way along. A little secret, there is a hot stream about 2 kilometres along the walk, a great place to soak tired feet. You can also grab a coffee and a bite to eat from the yacht hire centre.

A great view can be had from the look out

A great view can be had from the look out

Print
Filed Under: General, Taupo, Trails Tagged With: , , ,