Orahau To Kinloch

At the Orakau carpark, you will find a shelter with a map, information board and a toilet. From here, the trail follows the beautifully clear Orakau Stream through regenerating native bush and past Harakakeke (native flax) wetlands down towards Kawakawa Bay. You will run across boardwalks, past waterfalls and over ravines as the trail makes its way down towards the lake shore.

As you near the beach at Kawakawa Bay you will cross two bridges that span some really deep ravines. It's worth stopping and peering over the sides as the ravines are quite spectacular. After 10.25 km you will emerge onto the beach at the stunning Kawakawa Bay. There are views across the lake to the mountains of Tongariro National Park, and during summer this is the perfect place for a swim in the clear blue waters of Lake Taupo.

A shelter and campsite lies in a clearing at Kawakawa Bay, and you will often see rock climbers here. There is a long drop toilet available.

From Kawakawa Bay, a 3km switchback climb will take you up onto the Te Kauwae headland before you begin the descent down to the village of Kinloch. Your climbing efforts will be rewarded by magnificent, sweeping views from the top of the hill up towards the western bays. Once down the other side, the trail emerges on the lake front in Kinloch where it continues along the lake shore on a grassy path before reaching the carpark opposite the Kinloch Domain.

You could either arrange to have someone to pick you up at Kinloch or turn around and run back making the run about 34km.