Great Lake Trail: Waihora Section
Kuratau · Waikato
Route and dog-access details for this walk come from the Department of Conservation, licensed CC BY 4.0.
Good to know
Dogs can run off-lead here, one of only 287 tracks in Aotearoa where that’s allowed.
About Great Lake Trail: Waihora Section
Near Kuratau in Waikato, Great Lake Trail: Waihora Section runs 12.7 km as a track.
The Waihora Track is a section of the Great Lake Trail through the remote Western Bays of Lake Taupō, running from the end of Waihāhā Road (SH 32) past volcanic rock formations, native bush and clifftop lookouts before descending via bridges and boardwalks to Waihora Bay. About 4 hours' walk one way.
It sits at the hard end and gains roughly 232 m, pitching up to 26 % at its steepest, and takes about 2h 55m to walk.
Dogs are allowed off the lead on this one. DOC’s own wording: “Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times.”.