Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
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17 km return | 5-6 hours return
Spectacular views of Mount Ruapehu, alpine herbfields and a couple of jewels in the desert. Tama Lakes are stand-out blue in the parched landscape and the elevated viewpoint makes a great photo point.
There is one stream crossing which can be negotiated with stepping stones, shortly before the signposted junction to the lakes (around 2 hours into the walk). If it’s raining heavily, this stream may rise.
A the start of the track is signposted from Whakapapa Village at the end of Ngauruhoe Place. It is the same start point as for Taranaki Falls.
For the first 1 hour follow the well metalled track to Taranaki Falls. There are some undulations, dips into forest, but for the most part you are walking through the alpine herbfields.
At the junction with Taranaki Falls, head right at the signpost. The views of Ruapehu to the south and Tongariro and Ngauruhoe to the north get increasingly spectacular as you weave through gullies descending from the flanks of Ruapehu’s northern slopes. There is one stream crossing which can be negotiated with stepping stones, shortly before the signposted junction to the lakes.
Head left on the narrower track and after 10 minutes the Lower Tama Lake comes to view. Occupying an ancient crater and surrounded by sheer walls of volcanic rock, the deep blue water contrasts with the tussock and snow.
The climb to the upper lake is marked with poles and is steeper and rockier. There are cairns on the summit knolls. The Tama Saddle is exposed, especially in a westerly.
There is no access down to the lakes.
Return via the same track, but at the junction to Taranaki Falls, you can return via the alternative track. This passes Taranaki Falls and weaves through the montane forest alongside Wairere Stream, before passing the oxidation ponds near Ngaruhoe Road.
Tama Lakes are relatively recent in formation. Vents formed around 10,000 years ago when newer ballistic material smashed through older lava flows. The resulting craters later filled with water which had no means of escape.
The lakes remain clear, fresh and pest-free.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC Central North IslandCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Tongariro / National Park Village |
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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? 10km to 20km |
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? Moderate 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. |
Track Accommodation |
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Track AccommodationWhat type of accommodation is available on this walking track? Hut/Cabin At least one building is available on this track to stay in overnight. |
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. |
National Park to Tama Lakes.
I was not very impressed with the walk.
Very good track with amazing views.
This hiking track is just perfect!
Well worth doing if crossing is closed.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 16 |
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37% |
9/10 | 10 |
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23% |
8/10 | 13 |
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30% |
7/10 | 2 |
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5% |
6/10 | 1 |
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2% |
5/10 | 1 |
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2% |
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
All the information you need, you will get at the i-Site.
The footpath is really good. With good weather you have a great scenery. Get a jacket with you up in the lakes, it is windy.
Reviewed almost 7 years ago and experienced in March 2017
5.0/5
You really must do this hike before you leave Tongariro!
Landscapes are amazing and stunning, there is not too many people compared to Tongariro Alpine Crossing and the views are completely different so I recommend to do both of them. The lake is really blue, wonderful! Nice views of mountains. Do it only with good weather.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
5.0/5
Very beautiful tramping track through a fascinating volcanic landscape.
Absolutely stunning was the view from the Upper Tama lake.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
5.0/5
Beautiful walk through lava stone fields to the Tama Lakes.
There, absolutely stunning views on the lakes and volcanoes. Make sure to go to the Upper Tama Lake!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
5.0/5
Well maintained trail, view to Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu passed the Taranaki Falls - a silent and impressive environment.
The view to the lakes is fantastic.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.0/5
We had bad weather for the walk so did not see much but it was a very easy walk, very fun for beginners.
The lakes must have been beautiful - too much fog though.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.0/5
Beautiful walk, not busy and a good walking path.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
Nice and easy walk.
Beautiful lakes but very windy at the top.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
5.0/5
This hiking track is just perfect!
On your 5-6km return track you will see turquoise volcanic lakes, the impressive snow covered Mt Ruapehu and the great views of the Tongariro National Park - excellent alternative to the famous Alpine Crossing track.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
4.0/5
For me, this walk was better than the Tongariro Crossing because it is a lot more quiet and the view is very similar.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.0/5
Amazing walking, you feel like a Hobbit walking in the 'middle heart', at the end the surprise, a beautiful crystal blue lake.
The walk takes 5 hours return.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in October 2015
2.5/5
Easy walk but long, mostly on gravel path.
Scenery a bit boring after a while.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.5/5
All the information you need, you will get at the i-Site.
The footpath is really good. With good weather you have a great scenery. Get a jacket with you up in the lakes, it is windy.
Reviewed almost 7 years ago and experienced in March 2017
5.0/5
Very beautiful tramping track through a fascinating volcanic landscape.
Absolutely stunning was the view from the Upper Tama lake.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
5.0/5
Beautiful walk through lava stone fields to the Tama Lakes.
There, absolutely stunning views on the lakes and volcanoes. Make sure to go to the Upper Tama Lake!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
5.0/5
Well maintained trail, view to Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu passed the Taranaki Falls - a silent and impressive environment.
The view to the lakes is fantastic.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
5.0/5
You really must do this hike before you leave Tongariro!
Landscapes are amazing and stunning, there is not too many people compared to Tongariro Alpine Crossing and the views are completely different so I recommend to do both of them. The lake is really blue, wonderful! Nice views of mountains. Do it only with good weather.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
4.0/5
We had bad weather for the walk so did not see much but it was a very easy walk, very fun for beginners.
The lakes must have been beautiful - too much fog though.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.0/5
Beautiful walk, not busy and a good walking path.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
This hiking track is just perfect!
On your 5-6km return track you will see turquoise volcanic lakes, the impressive snow covered Mt Ruapehu and the great views of the Tongariro National Park - excellent alternative to the famous Alpine Crossing track.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
4.0/5
Nice and easy walk.
Beautiful lakes but very windy at the top.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
4.0/5
Amazing walking, you feel like a Hobbit walking in the 'middle heart', at the end the surprise, a beautiful crystal blue lake.
The walk takes 5 hours return.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in October 2015
4.0/5
For me, this walk was better than the Tongariro Crossing because it is a lot more quiet and the view is very similar.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
5.0/5
Excellent alternative track to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing with views of 'Mount Doom', and the two volcanic lakes.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014
4.0/5
Nice and easy walk.
The lakes are very nice and the scenery is amazing. Perfect walk for the day after the crossing.
Reviewed almost 10 years ago
2.5/5
Easy walk but long, mostly on gravel path.
Scenery a bit boring after a while.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
3.0/5
I was not very impressed with the walk.
It is a bit too long and boring. The lakes are beautiful but that is the only highlight of the walk. Very windy up there.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
5.0/5
AMAZING!!
The track was well maintained. Nice and pretty!!
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
5.0/5
Very good track with amazing views.
Some of our best photos of our trip.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
5.0/5
Excellent walk without paying any fees for a taxi as on Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Reviewed over 11 years ago
4.0/5
National Park to Tama Lakes.
Easy walk, stunning crater, lot less busy than the Alpine Crossing. Mostly uphill worth taking 5-6 hours out of your day for.
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in December 2012
4.5/5
5-6 hour walk to Tama Lakes, great walk, nice views, nice kodak moment, not too difficult.
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in November 2012
4.0/5
Due to the volcano eruption, we could not walk the Alpine Crossing.
This was a good alternative and also a beautiful track to walk.
Reviewed almost 12 years ago
5.0/5
Hiking tracks are in very good shape and the views are incredible!!
Reviewed over 12 years ago
4.5/5
Unexpected alternative for the 'Crossing', almost as good as!!
Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in November 2011
5.0/5
LOVELY WEE TRACK, ideal for running, the views are beautiful, great alternative if tongariro alpine crossing is a no go
Reviewed almost 13 years ago
3.5/5
Impressive landscape and view, way is easy to find, no fees for entering the park, good information about the park at the visitor centre.
Reviewed over 13 years ago
4.5/5
Check the weather forecast because you want a clear day with no rain forecast to experience the great views.
Trail well maintained. Start early and allow enough time and come properly prepared.
Reviewed over 13 years ago and experienced in January 2011