Nothing brings you closer to Taupo’s unforgettable wilderness than walking through it.
Taupo’s untouched ancient forests and swamplands, impressive geothermal wonderlands, and breath-taking volcanoes are crisscrossed with excellent walking and hiking tracks of all lengths and levels of difficulty. From pleasant lakefront and riverside strolls like the Great Lake Walkway and Huka Falls trails, through to the Tongariro River Trail and Lake Rotopounamu native bush walks ringing with birdsong, to the epic full-day alpine trek known as the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which treks across a cratered volcanic moonscape dotted with gemstone-coloured lakes.
Thermal walkways at Craters of the Moon and Orakei Korako expose the power and mystery of the earth’s inner workings in the strange and wonderful landscapes of Taupo’s geothermal areas, and walks in the Pureora Forest Park take you deep into a magical and ancient world of moss covered trees, crystal-clear rivers and melodious birdsong.
Taupo has some of the best walking tracks in New Zealand, all just awaiting the addition of your boot-prints.
Explore them below, then start planning your walk with New Zealand Mountain Safety Council's Plan My Walk app. An awesome app that provides you with useful information on each track with active alerts, the weather forecast, and the essential gear to bring. Click here to check it out
Orakei Korako 'The Place of Adorning' - a spectacular Geothermal attraction. Lonely Planet Travellers Guide writes: “Orakei Korako is arguably the best thermal area left in New Zealand".
We specialise in hiking and canoeing adventures throughout the Whanganui and Tongariro National Parks, including the famous, The Tongariro Alpine Crossing. We operate all year and and whether you’re a novice or keen adventurer we have a tour to suit.
Transport Shuttles for the Tongariro Crossing Park & Ride from Ketetahi. This is the most flexible, cost effective way to get to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
The newest section of the Great Lake Trails can be ridden by itself (12km) or part of a 36km loop that starts and finishes in Kinloch.
The W2K trail is part of the Whakaipo Section of the Great Lake Trails. It provides great views across Lake Taupo and back down towards Kinloch, one of the most beautiful lakeside villages in the country.
Explore the volcanic heart of Tongariro National Park through a landscape of stark glacial contrasts and alpine views. Discover diverse landscapes ranging from mountain beech forest, tussock country and sculptured sands and volcanic rock on this 3 - 4 day Department of Conservation Great Walk.
Enjoy the Beautiful Scenery of the famous Waikato River Trail as you Bike or walk in an ever-changing, Breathtaking landscape, for just a few hours, or travel more of the trail over 2 to 5 days. Shuttle, Bike Hire and accommodation available.
The Waikato River Trails are divided into five sections, each offering a unique adventure. You'll find everything from gently rolling paths to steeper, more rugged trails. The trails are graded from 3 (Intermediate) to 4 (Advanced). While most are wide and smooth, some, particularly in the Waipapa section, feature trickier single-tracks. A mountain bike is recommended for the best experience, ensuring you can handle the varied terrain and enjoy the scenic beauty to the fullest.in bikers and walkers can explore a series of cycle trails along New Zealand's longest river - the mighty Waikato River.
The Taupō region’s supervolcanic nature is on full display along the Waihora trail with its towering volcanic rock cliffs, breathtaking vistas, and secluded waterfalls.
Backyard Tours transport services customers from Turangi to hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing return. Door to door pickups and drops. Cultural insights, safety briefings, & sharing of local stories along your travels making memorable connections.
