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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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  • Hiking & walking trails

    Waihora Lagoon

    This easy walk in Pureora Forest Park takes you to a small rain-fed lagoon surrounded by tall kahikatea and rimu trees.

  • Hiking & walking trails

    Round the Mountain Track

    The multi-day Round the Mountain Track located in the UNESCO dual World Heritage Tongariro National Park showcases the varied volcanic landscapes and alpine vegetation on the flanks of the active volcano Mount Ruapehu. It's a more remote alternative to the Tongariro Northern Circuit Great Walk and will take you 4 - 6 days.

  • Bus & coach transport

    Tongariro Expeditions - Taupō

    Transport Shuttles for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing from Ketetahi Park n Ride. This is the most flexible, cost effective way to get to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

    $40 - $45 Book now
  • Bus & coach transport

    Tongariro Expeditions Taupo Return Shuttle for 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.

    $100 Book now
  • Biking trails

    K2K Trail - 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 K2K Trail, part of the Kawakawa Section of the Great Lake Trails.

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