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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.
Walking and hiking trails, tours and guides
Displaying 31 - 40 of 77
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Cycling & mountain biking
Great Lake Pathway (Lion's Walk)
Voted New Zealand's Favourite Urban Ride in 2017, the Great Lake Pathway (Lion's Walk) is perfectly suited for families and offers spectacular views across Lake Taupo to the snow-capped peaks of Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu.
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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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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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Hiking trails
Waikato River Walking Track
This shared-use track starts at the Huka Falls carpark and ends at Otupo Flat.
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Taupo town
Huka Falls Lookout Walk
Take a scenic walk along the banks of the Waikato River, or simply explore the many lookout points at Huka Falls, one of the most visited natural attractions in New Zealand - these short, easy walks are great for kids.
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Taupo town
Rangatira Point Track
This easy walk winds through native bush along the lake edge, offering fantastic views and great picnic, swimming and fishing spots. It's perfect for families and those wanting to enjoy Lake Taupo.
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Cycling & mountain biking
Waihaha Hut Track
The Waihaha Hut Track is set in native forest within the Pureora Forest Park on the western side of Lake Taupo.
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Biking trails
Headland Loop - Great Lake Trails
The Headland Loop starts and finishes on the W2K trail at the top of the headland between Kinloch and Whakaipo Bay. This extension of the W2K is a must do if you love flowing singletrack.
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Taupo town
Waipahihi Botanical Reserve
Waipahihi Botanical Reserve is an amazing garden built with love, and is also a beautiful Taupo walk for the whole family.
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Cycling & mountain biking
Timber Trail
The 85km long Timber Trail is a unique mountain bike ride across ancestral Maori lands, taking you deep into the ancient Pureora Forest Park in New Zealand's central North Island.
