Great Lake Trail LoopBeginner
Submitted by Mike Tennent
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Native bushPlantation/exotic forestRiversideLakesideOpen ridges/topsVolcanic
Beginner
4:30 (Slow)
3:30 (Moderate)
2:45 (Fast)
-5.2%
+4.9%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Description
Departing from the carpark, take the trail that runs parallel to the road (on the left of the carpark as you drove in). This will eventually end at a road. Follow the road for about 750m until you see the trail sign on the left hand side. From there on this trail is 100% single trail - it is shared with bikes though so be aware.
After about 10km you will come to an intersection, you can go left to Kinloch if you need coffee, otherwise turn right here and head to Kawakawa Bay. There is a nice wee climb in this section and a great stopping viewpoint.
At Kawakawa Bay you will probably meet up with copious numbers of campers as it's very popular, especially with rock-climbers. It is also the only point of the loop where you come in contact with the lake. Once you leave the bay, the trail traverses along parallel to the shore for roughly 3km before starting the long and gradual climb back up to the carpark. This section passes some excellent wetland.
Trail Community
Features of interest
Great views over Lake Taupo. Plenty of birdlife.
Make Up of Run
Untracked / Route only: 0%
Technical Single Track: 0%
Moderate Single Track: 22%
Easy Single Track: 75%
Farm Road / 4WD Track: 0%
Gravel Road: 0%
Sealed Road: 3%
Route Data
Reviews:
Overlapping Runs
The following trails overlap with this run to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate Strava activity for each
Photos:
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Access
Put Orakau Car Park in Google Maps and it will take you there, otherwise put 1568 Whangamata Road, Marotiri... which will get you there.
Sizable carpark with toilets
27 km
21 minutes
Yes
No
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Staying Safe
Easy.
Patchy.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Map.
Nothing for the first 10km or so.... after that there are scattered streams, although not always easy to get to.
Well prepared trail to pretty much Great Walk standard, so good throughout the year.
Nothing much other than mountain bikes
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See other runs nearby:
Taupo to Huka Falls Loop
Huka Falls to Aratiatia Dam Loop
Tauhara Grunt
Waihaha Trail - Out & Back
Orahau To Kinloch
W2K
Taupo Redwoods Track
Great Lake Trail - Waihaha Section
Waihora to Waihaha
Te Iringa Track
Craters Intro
SH1 Leg Stretcher
O2K Roller
Opepe Reserve
Rangatira Ramble
Kaimanawa Killer
