Nutshell 

• Location: Waikaremoana can be approached from two directions. Onepoto via Wairoa or Hopuruahine Landing via Rotorua. Best get the map out, she’s a long way from anywhere!!!
• Access: This track can be walked in either direction, you can start at either Onepoto or Hopuruahine Landing. NB: Travel pick up/drop off logistics are required! We started at Onepoto + organized a ride on the water taxi from Whanganui Hut (normally Hopuruahine Landing) others left a car at Onepoto and organized a ride to Hopuruahine. *Details for the water taxi are in the DOC link below👇
• DOC Duration: 3-4 days (46km one way)   Forest Family: 4 days without children (our times are below)
• Day 1 – Onepoto to Panekire Hut (~5 hrs including stops)
• Day 2 – Panekire Hut to Waiopaoa Hut (~3 hrs easy day)
• Day 3 – Waiopaoa Hut to Marauiti Hut (~6 hrs including Korokoro waterfall detour)
• Day 4 – Marauiti Hut to Hopuruahine (~4 hrs including stops)
• Track Grade: Intermediate Great Walk
• Highlights/Features: The views from the top of Panekire Bluff, the morning mist clearing to show the lake, swimming in the (freezing) but stunning lake, the various huts, meeting the friendly Tuhoe hut wardens, hearing the bird life, Korokoro waterfall, getting to meet such a wonderful range of people at the huts, laying on the lawn at the lovely Waiopaoa hut, walking the track, pretty much everything (maybe not the mud though)😂!
• Note: This track is NOT recommended for children under age 10, because of the exposed mountainous environment and often adverse weather. Lake Waikaremoana lies between altitudes of 600 to 1200m. Cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur at any time of the year. ****Please also not that there was no firewood stocks- so you may need to prepare yourself to search for dry wood + kindling upon arriving at the hut. Also and probably obvious to seasoned trampers but you need to bring your own bog roll!
• For the Department of Conservation track information click here- https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/east-coast/places/te-urewera/things-to-do/tracks/lake-waikaremoana-great-walk/
• 🌿🌿🌿Check out our blog post here for more information & cool photos👉