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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: -38.79217, 177.08421. 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
- 1-2 days
- Track grade
- Intermediate
- Location
- 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
Climb up to Panekire Bluffs for magnificant views of Lake Waikaremoana and the surrounding mountains.
This DOC directory entry covers Lake Waikaremoana: Panekire Bluffs in Gisborne, within 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: 1-2 days
- DOC grade: Intermediate
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
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This section of the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk provides options for a half day, full day or overnight walk.
The track rises steadily up Panekire Bluff to the first trig (1 hour one way) with magnificent views of the lake and mountains.
It continues less steeply along the ridge with various excellent viewpoints along the way, the grandest being Bald Knob at 1155 metres (3 hours one way). Bald Knob is a few minutes off the main track and isn't signposted, but is the obvious open area that has been burnt in the past.
Two hours further on is Panekire Hut.
Getting there
The Onepoto Road, 10.3 km south-east of the visitor centre, leads to the start of the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk and the access point to walk to the Panekire Bluffs.
Know before you go
Be sure to carry sufficient water on this trip as there is none available.
Take care when walking near the edge of the cliff.
Nature and conservation
The forest on the mid-slopes of the Panekire Range is dominated by red beech and the forest floor is often a dry carpet of leaf litter. At higher altitude it merges into silver beech forest, rainfall and moist cloudy weather are more frequent and the trees and forest floor are clothed in many mosses and ferns. The ridge top forest of irregular trees takes on a mysterious “goblin-like” appearance in misty weather.
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.
