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Walking & hiking
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.
Walking and hiking trails, tours and guides
Displaying 1 - 10 of 77
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Bus & coach transport
Base Camp Shuttle to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Base Camp is a car park between the beginning and end of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, just in front of the Tongariro Holiday Park. Park your car, hire your gear and use our shuttle for your return transport to the crossing.
$35 Book now -
Bus & coach transport
Taupo return shuttle for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Taupo return shuttle picks you up from Taupo takes you to the track start then picks you up from the end of the track and takes you back to Taupo again. We give you a free map and information sheet.
$70 Book now -
Custom transfers
Turangi return shuttle to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Turangi return shuttle picks you up from your accomodation in Turangi and takes you to the start of the track. In the afternoon we also pick up from the end of the track and bring you back to Turangi again.
$50 Book now -
Bus & coach transport
Ketetahi One Way Shuttle for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Cheapest option to get to the crossing is the Ketetahi car park one way shuttle to the start of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. We now pick up from the Tongariro Shuttle car park across the road from Ketetahi.
$35 Book now -
Maori culture
Opotaka Historic Reserve
Opotaka is a historical Māori pa site (fortified village) where you can learn about the history of the famous Ka Mate Haka, see the remains of the Māori settlement, and enjoy spectacular views across Lake Rotoaira to Mt Tongariro.
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Hiking trails
Tawhai Falls
This short easy walk in the Tongariro National Park is accessible on foot from Whakapapa Village or a short drive to the start of the track.
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Cycling & mountain biking
Tree Trunk Gorge
The Tree Trunk Gorge trail will take you on a picturesque journey through the Kaimanawa Forest Park. It passes through classic central North Island beech forest, across streams and rivers and over two impressive gorges as it tracks along the upper section of the Tongariro River.
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Cycling & mountain biking
Waikato River Trails
Mountain bikers can explore a series of trails along New Zealand's longest river - the mighty Waikato River. The trails cover about 100 kilometres of previously inaccessible Southern Waikato land from Lake Karapiro to the Atiamuri Dam.
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Walking & hiking
Chris Jolly Outdoors - Tongariro Alpine Crossing
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing in Tongariro National Park is one of New Zealand’s most spectacular tramping tracks, and is considered the most popular one-day alpine hikes in New Zealand. One of New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’ – a must do in this area.
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Biking trails
Kawakawa section of the Great Lake Trails
Flowing downhill, stunning wetlands, secluded beaches perfect for a mid-way swim and sweeping views of Lake Taupo are just some of the highlights of the Kawakawa section of the Great Lake Trails.