Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
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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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!
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.
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.
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.
Feature | Value | Info |
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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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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Track Length |
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Track LengthWhat is the physical length of this track? 3km to 10km |
Track Duration |
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Track DurationHow long does it take to walk this track on average? 1 to 2 hours |
Track Difficulty |
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Track DifficultyConsidering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
Large Vehicle Access |
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Large Vehicle AccessCan large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. |
DOC Track Category |
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DOC Track CategoryWhat type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Walking track Easy to moderate walking from a few minutes to a day. Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy. Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities. Clearly signposted. Stream and river crossings are bridged. Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots required. |
Disabled Access |
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Disabled AccessDoes this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs. |
Crowd Factor |
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Crowd FactorHow crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting |
Track Managing Organisation |
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Track Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. The track is jointly managed by DoC, Fletcher Challenge Forests and Rotorua District Council. |
Not very well signposted, not great views.
Many different ways to go.
Very cold but very beautiful!
A very nice area.
Stunning scenery and such a warm lake.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 5 |
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16% |
9/10 | 10 |
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32% |
8/10 | 5 |
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16% |
7/10 | 6 |
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19% |
6/10 | 4 |
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13% |
5/10 | 1 |
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3% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
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.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
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 😂
Reviewed about 2 years ago
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.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
4.5/5
Nice track with the cleanest water in the world.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
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.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
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.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014
5.0/5
Very nice walk much needed after a lot of sitting.
Not too strenuous but just enough.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.0/5
Short walk but lovely views of the green and blue lakes.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
5.0/5
Beautiful walk around the lake.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
5.0/5
Beautiful to walk around and have a swim in Blue Lake.
Reviewed over 10 years ago
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.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
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 😂
Reviewed about 2 years ago
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.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
4.5/5
Nice track with the cleanest water in the world.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
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.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
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.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014
5.0/5
Beautiful walk around the lake.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
5.0/5
Very nice walk much needed after a lot of sitting.
Not too strenuous but just enough.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.0/5
Short walk but lovely views of the green and blue lakes.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
5.0/5
Beautiful to walk around and have a swim in Blue Lake.
Reviewed over 10 years ago
4.0/5
One and a half hours round the lake, easy track - could be better sign posted.
Beautiful bush, close to Rotorua.
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013
4.5/5
10km out of Rotorua towards Lake Tarawera.
Easy 45-60 minute walk. Very picturesque, crystal clear lake for swimming.
Reviewed over 11 years ago
3.5/5
Easy walk around the lake, 1.5 - 2 hours walk.
Trek goes through scenic jungle.
Reviewed almost 12 years ago and experienced in December 2012
4.0/5
Beautiful location for wild swim, parking close by, provision to swim out, coffee van cose by to warm up after.
Reviewed over 12 years ago
4.5/5
Swimming in the lake.
Crystal clear and absolutely fabulous.
Reviewed over 13 years ago
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.
Reviewed over 13 years ago and experienced in January 2011
4.5/5
Stunning scenery and nice track.
Again well maintained and sign posted.
Reviewed over 13 years ago
4.5/5
Swimming in the Blue Lake is living the dream, crystal clear waters surrounded by pine trees.
Reviewed over 14 years ago
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 :(
Reviewed over 14 years ago
4.0/5
When it's nice weather you can have a swim in the lake after you walk around it.
Reviewed almost 15 years ago and experienced in December 2009
4.0/5
Matched expectations.
1 1/2 hour walk, good quality path and very nice views.
Reviewed about 15 years ago and experienced in March 2009