Timing

There is one stream crossing which can be negotiated with stepping stones, shortly before the signposted junction to the lakes (around 2 hours into the walk). If it’s raining heavily, this stream may rise.

Access

A the start of the track is signposted from Whakapapa Village at the end of Ngauruhoe Place. It is the same start point as for Taranaki Falls.

Track

For the first 1 hour follow the well metalled track to Taranaki Falls. There are some undulations, dips into forest, but for the most part you are walking through the alpine herbfields.

At the junction with Taranaki Falls, head right at the signpost. The views of Ruapehu to the south and Tongariro and Ngauruhoe to the north get increasingly spectacular as you weave through gullies descending from the flanks of Ruapehu’s northern slopes. There is one stream crossing which can be negotiated with stepping stones, shortly before the signposted junction to the lakes.

Head left on the narrower track and after 10 minutes the Lower Tama Lake comes to view. Occupying an ancient crater and surrounded by sheer walls of volcanic rock, the deep blue water contrasts with the tussock and snow.

The climb to the upper lake is marked with poles and is steeper and rockier. There are cairns on the summit knolls. The Tama Saddle is exposed, especially in a westerly.

There is no access down to the lakes.

Return via the same track, but at the junction to Taranaki Falls, you can return via the alternative track. This passes Taranaki Falls and weaves through the montane forest alongside Wairere Stream, before passing the oxidation ponds near Ngaruhoe Road.

Geology

Tama Lakes are relatively recent in formation. Vents formed around 10,000 years ago when newer ballistic material smashed through older lava flows. The resulting craters later filled with water which had no means of escape.

The lakes remain clear, fresh and pest-free.