Love nature
Love Taupō
Mount Tauhara summit, Taupō
  1. Home
  2. See & do
  3. Outdoor & adventure
  4. Walking & hiking

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

Filter by
Map
Displaying 81 - 84 of 84
  • Biking trails

    Waikato River Trails

    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.

  • Biking trails

    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.

  • Bus & coach transport

    Backyard Tours

    Backyard Tours transport services customers from Turangi to hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing or the One way transfer from the Secure Tongariro Shuttle Car Park on SH46, or from the National Park Village 'Park n Ride' to Mt Ruapehu Whakapapa Snow.

    $55 - $110 Book now
  • 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.

Previous of 9

Get hiking stories and deals straight to your inbox!

You may also be interested in...

Cycling & Mountain Biking

Top 25 walks and rides in Taupo

The Taupō region has some of the best walking and cycling trails in New Zealand, from family-friendly lakeside cruising to journeys deep into ancient native forests. 

Walking & Hiking

5 hidden gems to explore in the Tongariro National Park 

Family Friendly

5 delightful rainy day escapes in the Taupō region 

Walking & Hiking

Leisurely loops and walking trails in the Taupō region 

Share your #LoveTaupo stories with us

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