Blue Lake Track
Your Nature Guide
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
Nau mai, haere mai
Nau mai, haere mai
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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Photos
Information
Blue Lake Track
5.5 km return | 1 hour 30 minutes return
The shaded walk passes through fern-dominated native forest and exotic plantations of the Whakarewarewa Forest. All the while, the serene blue waters of Lake Tikitapu, which are suitable for swimming, lap the fine pumice beaches.
A great walk or run through the native bush surrounding the Lake. Just the right spot for a swim afterwards. This is suitable for all ages - a bit of family fun!
Walking Track
Access
From Rotorua, follow Te Ngae Road (SH30A) and turn right at Ngapuna into Tarawera Road.
Blue Lake is 7 km further on.
The track starts from the north-west corner of the lake at the western end of the beach.
There are large parking areas with toilets behind the beach at the northern end of the lake.
Track
The track is generally wide with a few undulations, uneven and muddy sections. It is unmarked, but follows the perimeter of the lake.
Following the track in an anti-clockwise direction:
After 40 minutes of skirting the western side, there is a 5-minute-return detour to a beach on the southern side of the lake.
10 minutes further is a crossroads. Veer left for 20 minutes to another parking area, where steps descend to another beach. Follow the lake edge track for 30 minutes to the road, where the track ends.
Take extreme care on the final 10 minutes along the roadside footpath back to the carpark.
Polynesian History
One story of Lake Tikitapu’s naming relates to a daughter of a high-born chief, who was bathing in the waters and wore a Tikitapu – a sacred heirloom ornament worn around the neck. It was usually attached with flax chord, but as she swam, it became removed and is still lost.
Details
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Organisation |
DOC Bay of PlentyCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Walking
Nearby
Reviews
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4.5/5
Great walk through the native Forest.
It took us nearly 2h some of the path on the west coast was underwater so we had to take our shoes off.
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4.5/5
Stunning scenery and such a warm lake.
Peaceful area for swimming or paddle boarding. We passed through on e-bikes on the forest loop trail. Was kinda going for a lunchtime snack/ hot drink from the airstream cafe but shame it was closed. Just watch two amphibious vehicles packed full of excited school kids plough into the lake… so funny 😂
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3.5/5
A very nice area.
We made a walk around the lake and saw a lot of birds. After we drove to the lookout to see the green lake. It was not very green, a bad light.
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2.5/5
Normally I like water and lakes but I was slightly disappointed in the Blue Lake.
It would have been enough just to drive to the Lake and look and learn.
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3.5/5
Nice 1.5-2 hour walk around the so called Blue Lake.
Takes you through beautiful forest and along wild small beaches.
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5.0/5
Very nice walk much needed after a lot of sitting.
Not too strenuous but just enough.
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4.5/5
Great walk through the native Forest.
It took us nearly 2h some of the path on the west coast was underwater so we had to take our shoes off.
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4.5/5
Stunning scenery and such a warm lake.
Peaceful area for swimming or paddle boarding. We passed through on e-bikes on the forest loop trail. Was kinda going for a lunchtime snack/ hot drink from the airstream cafe but shame it was closed. Just watch two amphibious vehicles packed full of excited school kids plough into the lake… so funny 😂
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3.5/5
A very nice area.
We made a walk around the lake and saw a lot of birds. After we drove to the lookout to see the green lake. It was not very green, a bad light.
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2.5/5
Normally I like water and lakes but I was slightly disappointed in the Blue Lake.
It would have been enough just to drive to the Lake and look and learn.
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3.5/5
Nice 1.5-2 hour walk around the so called Blue Lake.
Takes you through beautiful forest and along wild small beaches.
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5.0/5
Very nice walk much needed after a lot of sitting.
Not too strenuous but just enough.
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4.0/5
One and a half hours round the lake, easy track - could be better sign posted.
Beautiful bush, close to Rotorua.
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4.5/5
10km out of Rotorua towards Lake Tarawera.
Easy 45-60 minute walk. Very picturesque, crystal clear lake for swimming.
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4.0/5
Beautiful location for wild swim, parking close by, provision to swim out, coffee van cose by to warm up after.
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4.5/5
Very good track.
Well maintained. Signs easy to follow and beautiful views. Stopped to swim in the lake which was surprisingly chill for a such a hot summer day.
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4.5/5
Swimming in the Blue Lake is living the dream, crystal clear waters surrounded by pine trees.
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3.5/5
Beautiful walkway around the even more beautiful lake, nice sandy spots for swimming.
Lost way at the lookout and had to walk on the road - not so nice :(
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