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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -38.78771, 177.15136. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time
- 2 hr
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Lake Waikaremoana area / Te Urewera
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
The Old Māori Trail is also know as the Rosie Bay - Lake Kaitawa Track and follows what was once a Māori trail to the lake.
This DOC directory entry covers Old Māori Trail in Gisborne, within Lake Waikaremoana area / Te Urewera. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time: 2 hr
- DOC grade: Advanced
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.
- Te Urewera alerts; First published on 17 October 2022. Last reviewed on 6 June 2026.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
Starting at Rosie Bay, the track follows what was a traditional Māori route to Lake Kaitawa. It follows a valley which arcs around the trailing edge of the landslide block which slid from Ngamoko – see Lou’s Lookout description in Lake Waikaremoana area short walks.
It features grassy clearings and some beautifully formed totara and matai trees.
After passing through dense bush the track descends gradually to Lake Kaitawa.
Getting there
Lake Waikaremoana is located in Te Urewera on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand.
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.
