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WALKS & HIKES

The central North Island offers plenty of walks and hikes to do. So if you're looking for a gentle stroll or an all-day hike, check out our top walks and hikes below.

Omori to Pukawa

Pukawa Bush Walk

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Tokaanu Thermal Walk

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Tongariro River Lookout

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Tongariro River Trail

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Lake Rotopounamu

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Kiko Loop Walk

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Urchin Track: Mt Urchin Summit

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30 Minutes One Way

The walk from Omori to Pukawa is an easy 30-minute stroll through native forest, home to the tui and bellbird. Continue on the track over Omori Stream for more views over Lake Taupo and access to the small settlement of Omori.

 

Location: 1km from Poppa's Place.

 

Directions:

  1. Walk out of Poppa's Place and turn right and follow Kaimanawa Road until you get to the end of the road. 

  2. Follow path with the green fence down to Omori Road. 

  3. Once you get to Omori Road, go left and follow it down until you get to Fish Beach (on the right hand side). 

  4. At Fish Beach you’ll see signs on either side –one way will take you to Pukawa and the other way will take you through to Omori Boat Ramp.

45 Minute Loop

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Find this walk in the small nearby settlement of Pukawa. This short bush walk captures stunning views of Lake Taupo on its way through rimu, matai, totara and kamahi trees. There are short uphill climbs along the way.

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Location: 4km from Omori.

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Directions:

  1. Take State Highway 41 towards Turangi and shortly after, turn onto Pukawa Road.

  2. From Pukawa Road, turn onto Hauraki Terrace where the walk is signposted.

20 Minute Loop

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Don’t miss this short walk full of geothermal activity! The 20-minute loop walk is wheelchair accessible, taking you through native bush to several geothermal features. See steaming lakes, hot springs, bubbling mud and colourful silica features.

 

Location: 10km from Omori.

 

Directions:

  1. Take State Highway 41 towards Turangi and follow the brown signs for “Hot Pools”.

  2. The Tokaanu Thermal Walk starts beside the Tokaanu Hot Pools.

1 Hour Loop

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If you don’t fancy walking the whole 15km of the Tongariro River Trail (see the walk below), a great alternative is a shorter loop from the State Highway 1 Tongariro River Bridge to the Major Jones Bridge, taking about 1 hour to complete. On the east side of the river, the trail ascends onto some high cliffs offering views across the Tongariro River and Turangi.

 

Location: 17km from Omori. 

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Directions:

  1. Take State Highway 41 towards Turangi and follow signs to ’Major Jones Bridge’. 

  2. You can start the loop from either side of the bridge.

  3. The walk from the east side of the bridge will take you up to the lookout first

3 Hour Loop

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This 15km trail along the Tongariro River can be tackled by bike or by foot. Get a mix of fantastic scenery from river views to countryside to native forest as you follow the river

and cross a couple of times on swing bridges.

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Location: 17km from Omori.

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Directions:

  1. Take State Highway 41 towards Turangi and follow signs to ’Major Jones Bridge’. 

2 Hour Loop

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Walk in the lush forest of Lake Rotopounamu. This 2-hour loop walk captures the vibrant green of Lake Rotopounamu, with three beaches to check out along the way. Look out for native bird species like the North Island robins, tui, wood pigeons

and fantails.

 

Location: 20km from Omori.

 

Directions:

  1. Take State Highway 41 towards Turangi and follow signs to State Highway 47.

  2. Turn right onto State Highway 47.

  3. Find the walk and car park signposted along State Highway 47. (Approx 5 minutes drive up the road)

1.5 Hour Loop

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This little-known walk in the Kaimanawa Forest Park will take you to some of the most rugged and stunning forest in the Turangi area. See towering matai, miro and rimu on this walking and mountain biking track. Look out for native birds like the North Island robin.

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Location: 40km from Omori.

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Directions:

  1. Take State Highway 41 towards Turangi, then take State Highway 1 north for 10km, then turn onto Kiko Road.

  2. Follow Kiko Road for 17km all the way to end of the road where there is a car park. Be aware that Kiko Road is a gravel road. During the last couple of kilometres toward the car park, the road narrows and is not well maintained so take it easy.

3.5 Hour Return

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Start your walk through the wild native forest of the Kaimanawa Forest Park on this steep climb up to the Urchin Trig (1392m). Above the bush line, you’ll get outstanding views of Mt Ruapehu, Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe, as well as the surrounding Kaimanawa mountain range. It’s a tough climb but it’s worth the view!

 

Location: 33km from Omori.

 

Directions:

  1. Take State Highway 41 towards Turangi then go south on State Highway 1 for about 14km

  2. Turn left onto Kaimanawa Road.

  3. Continue on Kaimanawa Road, following the DOC signs for the “Urchin Track”. Note that the gravel road gets steep and winding.

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Tongariro Crossing

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8 Hour One Way​

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This 19km one way track takes you over dramatic volcanic landscapes with some of the most captivating mountain views of the country.

 

Location: The Ketetahi Car Park for the Tongariro Crossing is 52km from Omori.

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Directions:

  1. Take State Highway 41 south, then State Highway 47 where the Ketetahi Car Park is signposted.

Poppa's Place does not own the copyright for the images above. All images are the suppliers own.

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