Outbound Collective logo

Hike around Lake Tikitapu

Lake Okareka, New Zealand

4.5/5
based on 2 reviews

Details

Distance

3.4 miles

Elevation Gain

0 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Josh Currie

With hiking, kayaking, boating, paddle boarding, and pretty much everything you can do on the water, Lake Tikitapu is a perfect spot to hang for the day and watch the sun go down.

Lake Tikitapu is the smallest of the mountain lakes in the Rotorua area. Take Tarawera Rd about 9 kilometers and you'll run right into it. There is a huge lawn to the right that you can park on if the lot at the shore is full.

The beginning of the 5.5 kilometer trail starts on the right hand side of the lake at the base of the forest. The majority of the trail is covered with trees but there are multiple side trails that lead down to the waters edge to get a better view of the blue water or to find a more private beach for you and your crew. About half way around the lake the trail opens up offers more routes to the surrounding lakes, but if you stay left it will continue around Lake Tikitapu. The whole hike will take you about an hour and a half as you walk through the forest and along the waters edge. At one point along the track you will come out of the forest to a clearing and a small grassy knoll that offers views of both the Blue and Green Lakes.

There are endless activities to do at the lake but if you only have a small window of time, just watching the sunset and feeding the ducks at the shore is all you will need.

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Stand Up Paddle
Fitness
Chillin
Camping
Photography
Running
Kayaking
Yoga
Swimming
Hiking
Adult Beverages
Bathrooms
Beach
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Food Nearby
Forest
Groups
Lake
Picnic Area
Romantic
Scenic

Hike around Lake Tikitapu Reviews

The right side of the lake was beautiful and I especially loved the lookout at the halfway point! The only bummer was that as of February 2018 the entire left side of the trail is underwater so you have to walk on the side of the road for 20-30 minutes to get back.

When Rotorua has a perfectly sunny day and it's in the 30's, you know the right thing to do is to go enjoy some of Rotorua's amazing nature. And Lake Tikitapu is a local favorite with clear and clean blue water, grassy edges, and a sweet 5km+ walk around the lake! Going clockwise when I went, the beginning of the walk on the lake edge was overflowing the trail and the walk was a bit wet, but after a quarter of the way the elevation picked up. I loved when we got to a smaller beach on the other end of the lake (which you could also park near.) A lot quieter from the main lakefront. The walk itself was through open trails surrounded by tall trees! Highly recommended before a cool swim, after or both!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Experience the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley in Rotorua

Walk to Sulphur Point

Explore Kuirau Park

Summit Rainbow Mountain

Hike the Rainbow Mountain Track to Crater Lake

Swim in Kerosene Creek