Blue Lake Track
Blue Lake Track
Your Nature Guide
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
Nau mai, haere mai
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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Information
The shaded walk passes through fern-dominated native forest and exotic plantations of the Whakarewarewa Forest. All the while, the serene blue waters of Lake Tikitapu, which are suitable for swimming, lap the fine pumice beaches.
A great walk or run through the native bush surrounding the Lake. Just the right spot for a swim afterwards. This is suitable for all ages - a bit of family fun!
Access
From Rotorua, follow Te Ngae Road (SH30A) and turn right at Ngapuna into Tarawera Road.
Blue Lake is 7 km further on.
The track starts from the north-west corner of the lake at the western end of the beach.
There are large parking areas with toilets behind the beach at the northern end of the lake.
Track
The track is generally wide with a few undulations, uneven and muddy sections. It is unmarked, but follows the perimeter of the lake.
Following the track in an anti-clockwise direction:
After 40 minutes of skirting the western side, there is a 5-minute-return detour to a beach on the southern side of the lake.
10 minutes further is a crossroads. Veer left for 20 minutes to another parking area, where steps descend to another beach. Follow the lake edge track for 30 minutes to the road, where the track ends.
Take extreme care on the final 10 minutes along the roadside footpath back to the carpark.
Polynesian History
One story of Lake Tikitapu’s naming relates to a daughter of a high-born chief, who was bathing in the waters and wore a Tikitapu – a sacred heirloom ornament worn around the neck. It was usually attached with flax chord, but as she swam, it became removed and is still lost.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua |
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Contact
Reviews
Showing 13 reviews of 26.
Liane Bausch
Ranking: 7/10
Many different ways to go.
Heyuuiutha Lokithas
Ranking: 7/10
A very nice area. We made a walk around the lake and saw a lot of birds. After we drove to the lookout to see the green lake. It was not very green, a bad light.
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Lukas Havlicek
Ranking: 9/10
Nice track with the cleanest water in the world.
Katharina Balzer
Ranking: 10/10
Very cold but very beautiful!
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Marc
Ranking: 5/10
Normally I like water and lakes but I was slightly disappointed in the Blue Lake. It would have been enough just to drive to the Lake and look and learn.
Felix Holm
Ranking: 7/10
Nice 1.5-2 hour walk around the so called Blue Lake. Takes you through beautiful forest and along wild small beaches.
Rita Hochstiasser
Ranking: 10/10
Beautiful walk around the lake.
Thank You - to the thousands of travellers that have contributed to our Top Voted NZ Activities Map - it's free from Rankers.
Jean Curry
Ranking: 10/10
Very nice walk much needed after a lot of sitting. Not too strenuous but just enough.
Jenny Finch
Ranking: 8/10
Short walk but lovely views of the green and blue lakes.
Katja Kraffzik
Ranking: 10/10
Beautiful to walk around and have a swim in Blue Lake.
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Kathy Arthurs
Ranking: 8/10
One and a half hours round the lake, easy track - could be better sign posted. Beautiful bush, close to Rotorua.
Gale Willcocks
Ranking: 9/10
10km out of Rotorua towards Lake Tarawera. Easy 45-60 minute walk. Very picturesque, crystal clear lake for swimming.
Ramon Keller
Ranking: 7/10
Easy walk around the lake, 1.5 - 2 hours walk. Trek goes through scenic jungle.
DOC Managed
Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍
