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Walking & hiking in Taupo

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

Walking and hiking trails, tours and guides

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  • Tongariro Alpine Crossing

    Mountain shuttle

    We offer a one way Tongariro Alpine Crossing shuttle service hourly from the Tongariro shuttle car park at the finish point of the hike to the starting point Mangatepopo.

    $25 - $35 Book now
  • Biking trails

    The Waipapa Trail

    Begin at Bus Stop Café, enjoy narrow forest trails, see historic dam foundations, cross wetland boardwalks, and finish at Waipapa Power Station, featuring technical paths, steep sections, and stunning views of sandstone cliffs and the river. Ideal for adventurous riders seeking a challenging and scenic route

  • Cycling & Mountain Biking

    Adventure Shuttles

    Whether you want to hike it, bike it, taste it or just go see it Adventure Shuttles helps you get the buzz in the beautiful Central North Island.

    $65 - $750
  • Fishing – Fresh Water

    River Birches Guided Fly Fishing on the Tongariro Package

    Our expert guides are skilled anglers and natural storytellers, offering personalised instruction for beginners or advanced tips for experienced fishers.

    $2,999 - $3,000
  • Hiking & walking trails

    Taranaki Falls

    Taranaki Falls is a short easy walk in the UNESCO dual World Heritage Tongariro National Park.

  • Taupō town

    Waipāhīhī Botanical Reserve

    Perched on a hilltop overlooking the shimmering caldera of Lake Taupō, this sweeping reserve, with its network of trails through different plant collections, is a relaxing haven for visitors.

  • Biking trails

    Headland Loop Trail (Great Lake Trails)

    The Headland Loop Trail starts and finishes on the W2K Trail at the top of the headland between Kinloch and Whakaipo Bay.

  • Hiking & walking trails

    Waikato River Walking Track

    This shared-use track starts at the Huka Falls carpark and ends at Otupo Flat.

  • Hiking & walking trails

    Ketetahi Track

    The Ketetahi Track is a section of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. You can get close up views of the active Te Maari Craters.

  • Hiking & walking trails

    Rimu Walk

    This short loop walk from Kakaho Campsite takes in the fantastic views and the tall trees of the Pureora Forest.

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  1. Home
  2. See & do
  3. Outdoor & adventure
  4. Walking & hiking