Waihāhā and Waihora tracks: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Explore the remote bush, cliffs and waterfalls of the Western Bays of Lake Taupō. Normally accessible only by boat, these trails take you through a variety of landscapes with fantastic lookout points.

This DOC directory entry covers Waihāhā and Waihora tracks 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: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
• Walking time: 3 hr 30 min | 4 hr
• 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 allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Waihāhā Track

Walking time: 3 hr 30 minMountain biking: 1 hr 30 minDistance: 13 km

From the Waihāhā River carpark on Western Bay Road (SH 32), the trail follows the river for a few hundred metres before it crosses the river on a swing bridge. The trail then gently climbs up the river onto the cliffs above, following the course of the river to the end of Waihāhā Road.

The trail has great views of the Waihāhā River canyon and the iconic Tieke Falls. It is surrounded by tanekaha-dominated native bush and large outcrops of weathered volcanic rocks.

Return via the same track, organise a shuttle from the Waihaha Road end, or continue on to the Waihora Track.

Waihora Track

Walking time: 4 hr walk one wayMountain biking: 2 hr mountain bike one wayDistance: 17 km

This trail begins at the end of Waihāhā Road off SH 32.

The trail passes volcanic rock formations, lush native bush and a number of fantastic lookout points perched on cliffs at the edge of Lake Taupō. The final descent down the Kotukutuku stream via bridges, platforms and boardwalks to the beach gets you up close to the waterfall and the abundant native fuschia (kotukutuku).

This is a great spot for a rest (there is a toilet here), a picnic on the beach or even a swim.

This track ends at the lake edge in Waihora Bay; return via the same track, or pre-arrange a boat transfer on to Kawakawa Bay or Kinloch.

Know before you go

What to expect

The Great Lake Trails are an Intermediate: Grade 3 mountain biking experience. You can expect to encounter:

• steep uphill and downhill sections

• narrow sections

• steep drops next to the track

• trees fallen across the track, particularly after high wind or heavy rain

• mud and loose rocks on the track

• people and dogs on the track, as it is shared used

• quick changes of weather.

Skills/experience you need

To enjoy the Great Lake Trails, you need the experience and skill to handle an Intermediate: Grade 3 trail.

Check the biking times and the elevation profile on the Great Lake Trail map (PDF, 10,641K) to make sure you have the fitness for your trip. If you would like a shorter alternative to the full trail, sections of the track can be ridden as day or half-day trips.

How to plan/prepare

• Check the Great Lake Trails website or social media for the current status and any alerts.

• The trail is not suitable for road bikes or trail bikes, you will need to use a mountain bike (or an e-mountain bike). Pack a repair kit for your bike and know how to use it.

• Cell phone coverage is patchy, so consider packing a distress beacon

• The weather changes fast so check the forecast and pack plenty of warm and waterproof clothes

• Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track

More information

• Great Lake Trails: Love Taupō website

• Backcountry mountain biking: Mountain Safety Council website

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.