Rotopounamu Track
Whakapapa
5 Rankers Reviews
2 Face-to-Face
Your Nature Guide
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
Nau mai, haere mai
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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Photos
Information
Lush forest surrounds this tranquil lake in a crater beside Mount Pihanga
Access
Lake Rotopounamu is signposted on the left 8 km from junction of SH41 and SH47. There’s a large parking area on the opposite side of the road from the start of track.
Track
A steady climb of 20 minutes brings you to the start of the loop, which can be followed in either direction.
Occasional side tracks lead to the lake edge, however Long Beach is the natural stopping place. Here the fine gravel beach is the place to soak it up. There’s a toilet and benches too.
Continue back to the start of the access track.
Geology
Lake Rotopounamu occupies a hollow on the western flank of Pihanga (1326m). It is only 7.9 m deep and lies at 710 m altitude. It cover 0.89 k
Flora
Some towering rimu and sizeable kahikatea flank the lake shore.
Fauna
A partnership between DoC and Project Tongariro is aiming to reduce predator numbers in the area. Rats, stoats, cats, possums and pigs have decimated birdlife and traplines are now installed and maintained by volunteers.
Polynesian History
In Maori, ‘roto’ means ‘lake’ and ‘pounamu’ is ‘greenstone’.
One story relates to Pihanga being a beautiful maiden, fought over by Tongariro, Taranaki, Tauhara and Putauaki.
Feature
The lake is fully swimmable and devoid of taniwha.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Tongariro / National Park Village |
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Categories |
Reviews
Anders Dahlgren
Ranking: 4/10
Very easy walk around the lake, unfortunately the view is covered so you are mostly walking in the bushes except for a few 100 meters on a beach. There are no tables at the picnic place but a couple of benches to sit on.
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Eva Hesse
Ranking: 8/10
An easy track around Lake Rotopounamu with many possibilities to stop at the lakeside to have a break. We saw so many different forms - very well labelled trees. Very informative!
Gail Hunter
Ranking: 10/10
Great short walk. Up a hill through forest to get to the lake. Beautiful views of the calm blue water all around the lake. Secluded spots for picnics or excellent to quietly sit and reflect.
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Zoe
Ranking: 10/10
An initial uphill effort makes the views and swim in the lake totally worth it. Seemingly untouched native bush teeming with bird-life. Beach is perfect for picnics and paddling. A good distance for the little tikes (and those who end up carrying them)
Marek Woznica
Ranking: 8/10
A superb little walk of 90mins or so. Isolated and beautiful.
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 😍
