Rotopounamu Track

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5 Rankers Reviews

2 Face-to-Face

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Marios Gavalas

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Tongariro / National Park Village, Ruapehu

Camping near Tongariro / National Park Village

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Marios Gavalas

Lake Rotopounamu

Marios Gavalas

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Information

5 km return | 2 hours return

Lush forest surrounds this tranquil lake in a crater beside Mount Pihanga

Walking Track

Access

Lake Rotopounamu is signposted on the left 8 km from junction of SH41 and SH47. There’s a large parking area on the opposite side of the road from the start of track.

Track

A steady climb of 20 minutes brings you to the start of the loop, which can be followed in either direction.

Occasional side tracks lead to the lake edge, however Long Beach is the natural stopping place. Here the fine gravel beach is the place to soak it up. There’s a toilet and benches too.

Continue back to the start of the access track.

Geology

Lake Rotopounamu occupies a hollow on the western flank of Pihanga (1326m). It is only 7.9 m deep and lies at 710 m altitude. It cover 0.89 k

Flora

Some towering rimu and sizeable kahikatea flank the lake shore.

Fauna

A partnership between DoC and Project Tongariro is aiming to reduce predator numbers in the area. Rats, stoats, cats, possums and pigs have decimated birdlife and traplines are now installed and maintained by volunteers.

Polynesian History

In Maori, ‘roto’ means ‘lake’ and ‘pounamu’ is ‘greenstone’.

One story relates to Pihanga being a beautiful maiden, fought over by Tongariro, Taranaki, Tauhara and Putauaki.

Feature

The lake is fully swimmable and devoid of taniwha.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Central North Island

Central government organisation

Location

North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Tongariro / National Park Village

Categories

Walking
Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-39.0173285744976

175.731630586326

Latitude
-39.0173285744976
Longitude
175.731630586326

Feature	Value	Info
Track Length	3km to 10km Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 3km to 10km	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 3km to 10km
Track Duration	2 to 4 hours Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 2 to 4 hours 2 hour loop track	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 2 to 4 hours 2 hour loop track
Track Difficulty	Easy walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is 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	Large vehicle accessible Large Vehicle Access Can 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.	Large Vehicle Access Can 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	Walking track DOC Track Category What 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.	DOC Track Category What 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	No disabled access Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.	Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.
Crowd Factor	Lesser Known Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting	Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting
Track Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Track Managing Organisation What 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.	Track Managing Organisation What 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.

Nearby

Reviews

Rating	Count
10/10	2	40%
9/10	0	0%
8/10	2	40%
7/10	0	0%
6/10	0	0%
5/10	0	0%
4/10	1	20%
3/10	0	0%
2/10	0	0%
1/10	0	0%

2.0/5

Very easy walk around the lake, unfortunately the view is covered so you are mostly walking in the bushes except for a few 100 meters on a beach.
There are no tables at the picnic place but a couple of benches to sit on.

Reviewed about 7 years ago

Anders Dahlgren
5.0/5

Great short walk.
Up a hill through forest to get to the lake. Beautiful views of the calm blue water all around the lake. Secluded spots for picnics or excellent to quietly sit and reflect.

Reviewed almost 8 years ago

Gail Hunter
4.0/5

An easy track around Lake Rotopounamu with many possibilities to stop at the lakeside to have a break.
We saw so many different forms - very well labelled trees. Very informative!

Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016

Eva Hesse
5.0/5

An initial uphill effort makes the views and swim in the lake totally worth it.
Seemingly untouched native bush teeming with bird-life. Beach is perfect for picnics and paddling. A good distance for the little tikes (and those who end up carrying them)

Reviewed almost 11 years ago and experienced in September 2013

Zoe
4.0/5

A superb little walk of 90mins or so.
Isolated and beautiful.

Reviewed almost 13 years ago and experienced in November 2011

Marek Woznica