Blue Lake Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Enjoy native bush and quiet beaches. The track provides good opportunities to look out over the Blue Lake (Tikitapu) and Green Lake (Rotokakahi).

This DOC directory entry covers Blue Lake Track in Bay of Plenty, within Lake Tikitapu Scenic Reserve. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 5.5 km loop
• Walking time: 1 hr 30 min
• DOC grade: Easy

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

Dog access

Dogs on a leash only. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Going in a clockwise direction, the track begins at the north-east end of the Lake. Head along the shore and follow the roadside section south, watching for oncoming traffic.

About a third of the way, the track enters the bush, following the lake until coming to a secluded beach at the south end. Head up the stairs to the car park and take a right to continue around the lake.

The track continues at this elevation heading north through Whakarewarewa Forest. The track slowly descends into native bush to the lake level and exits at the north-eastern side of the beach.

At the northern side of the lake is a boat ramp. The Blue Lake beaches and surrounding grassed areas are all popular for summer picnics. Facilities include toilets, rubbish bins, a children's playground, barbecues and swimming areas.

For longer excursions into the Redwoods and Whakarewarewa Forest, contact the Redwoods Gift Shop & Visitor Centre on Long Mile Rd, off Tarawera Rd, phone +64 7 350 0110 or see www.redwoods.co.nz.

Photos and map step by step

The Accesibel website provides a step by step description via photos. It also shows where photos were taken on a map.

Step by step photos on Accessibel website

Key details

Pinch points

The Loop track has many pinch points which make it unsuitable for wheelchairs and strollers. These include a narrow (less than 50 cm) entrance ways, fallen trees and narrow tracks especially on the first section of the trail – the eastern side of the lake.

Steps

There are multiple steps along the trail. Leading up to the Blue and Green Lake lookout is a multi-flight staircase from lake level to approximately 40 m. There is are steps on entry to the trail if entering from the Water Ski Club car park. There is an alternative, step free entrance 15 m away from the signposted entry.

Gradient

The track underlates between a slight a steady gradient as it track along the lake. If starting from the Blue and Green Lake car park there is a 1 km section along Tikitapu Road, which is a wide gradual access road. There's a steady decent from Tikitapu road towards the Water Ski Club enty/exit.

Surface

The trail is primarily conpacted dirt that becomes muddy after rain. The surface is uneen with many ruts and roots to navigate.

Safety

It is recommended to take the loop in an clockwise direction, which involves a 800 m stretch along a roadside, with no barrier from oncoming traffic. Extreme care is needed.

Facilities and seating

There are accessible toilets at the Waterski Club carpark and Blue and Green Lake lookout carpark.

There are picnic tables and BBQ facilities lakeside, near the water ski club car park. There are no seats along the trail.

Signage

The signage (at the anticlockwise / Waterski Club entrance) recommends to loop the track in a clockwise direction. Track is marked by blue arrows. The track branches from the Tikitapu access road. Follow the sign that says 'Lake Front'.

Environmental

Apart from the roadside section of the loop, the trail is primarily under cover of native and redwood forests that obscure the view of the lake. There's a beach access at the base of the stairs leading down from the Blue and Green Lake lookout carpark. There are a few other smaller lake access points on the eastern section of the walk.

Getting there

Tikitapu / Blue Lake is situated 9 km south-east of Rotorua, via Te Ngae Road then a right turn at the roundabout into Tarawera Road.

Parking

There are thre parking locations that provide access to the Lake Tikitapu Loop:

• Rotorua Waterski Club car park provides parking for larger vehilces, boats and trailers as well as an accessible toilet. Google map link

• A car park further along Tarawera Road, opposite Lake Tikitapu Campground, closer to the recommended entry (see safety issues below). Google map link

• Blue and Green Lake lookout (, provides a view of both lakes and access to the trail. This car park provides designated mobility parking and accessible toilets. Google map link.

Know before you go

Koi carp Image: Dave West

Keep Rotorua lakes free of pest fish

Invasive species are a pest because they reduce water quality and can compete with native species and trout.

You can help by reporting sightings or photographing caught specimens of koi carp (3-70 cm) or catfish (3-40 cm).

Other fish of concern are rudd and gambusia.

How to report your sightings.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.