Opepe walks: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Perfect for families and just a short drive from Taupō on SH5, explore native bush and discover local history in this scenic and historic reserve.

This DOC directory entry covers Opepe walks in Central North Island, within Taupō area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 1.5 km | 3 km loop
• Walking time: 30 min or 1 hr
• DOC grade: Easiest

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.

• Toxin use in Opepe Reserve; First published on 28 November 2025. Last reviewed on 29 July 2026.

Dog access

Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Northern walking track

Time: 30 - 45 minDistance: 1.5 km loop

Follow the Napier Taupō Highway (SH5) 17 km from Taupō. The highway bisects Opepe Scenic and Historic Reserve, with car parks on both sides of the road.

On the northern side a loop track takes you through mature podocarp forest, unusual in this region as so much was destroyed by the Taupō eruption of 186AD, and later by fires and the woodman's axe. This makes the reserve a good spot for birdwatching.

Opepe is most noted for the 1869 New Zealand Land Wars engagement between members of the Bay of Plenty Cavalry and a band of Māori warriors led by Te Kooti. A side track to the right near the car park brings you to the cemetery where the nine soldiers were buried. Later, residents of Opepe township and the Armed Constabulary were also buried there.

Southern walking track

Time: 1 hr - 1 hr 30 minDistance: 3 km loop

This track is situated on the southern side of SH5. Taking the track to the right from the car park you have the option of walking to the saw pit and returning (20 minutes) or continuing around the loop. The loop passes through regenerating forest - quite different to the northern side of the reserve due to the brief but high impact nature of the settlement here.

Relics from the settlement including tōtara fencing, the bullock watering site and a water well can still be seen along the loop. As you walk up the track to the site of the old township and redoubt you cross the original Napier Taupō Road. At one time Opepe township had a hotel, a store and several dwellings with as many as 120 residents.

An Armed Constabulary stockade, occupied from 1869 to 1885, was situated on the western escarpment.

Getting there

Follow the Napier Taupō Rd from Taupō for 17 km.

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.