Tuhoe Maori Routes
Lake Waikaremoana, the "sea of rippling water", was created some 2200 years ago when the Waikaretaheke river gorge was blocked by a rock slip resulting from a strong earthquake.
The original Tuhoe Maori routes around the lake were upgraded with swing bridges, stairs and walkways in 1962 by volunteer school boys as hydroelectric infrastructure development drew increasing tourism to the area. The trail was later classified as a “Great Walk” and is 1 of only 9 in New Zealand.
The Te Urewera National Park trail is 46km long from start to end with an elevation change of 600m over the Panekire range. The trail circuit can be completed by water taxi, shuttle, or for some by walking on the small gravel road known as Lake Road, or SH38.
A visitor/info shelter and parking lot mark the start of the trail, with the water taxi drop off being close by at Onepoto beach. Also nearby are Onepoto caves and the historic redoubt. Trail highlights include: Panekire trig, bald knob, goblin forest, Waiapoa beach, Korokoro falls and the flora and fauna.
