Last Updated: 19th Dec 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

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Blue and Green Lake Loops

Last Updated: 19th Dec 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

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Grunt Factor: 14 ?

Gnarl Factor: 13 ?

14.0km

300m

300m

540m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Undulating, some big hills

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Lakeside

Run Makeup

10%
40%
50%

Sealed Road

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +8.3%

Average Downhill Gradient: -7.7%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

2:00

Slow

1:30

Moderate

1:00

Fast

Start from Blue Lake car park and head up the road towards Green lake. There's a slight drag up the hill to Lookout car park, or if weather allows there is a walking track that angles off into the bush and takes you up some stairs to Lookout car park. Follow the trail from the right hand corner of the car park through gate and continue along the track. At the crossroads, continue straight on up the hill. What follows is around 4km of steady downhill until you reach Branch Road on your left.

Turn down Branch Road and at the bottom take the left hand turn onto Green Lake Road. Follow this track until you reach the Green Lake Picnic Area. Left turn onto Lakefront Road and stay on this track until the top of the Green Lake Hill, steepest climb! At the crossroads, again go straight on and down to complete the loop of the Blue Lake. The trail naturally leads you back to the Blue Lake Car Park.

Lake views, native bush

If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.

Ample free parking at Lakefront

11 km

12 minutes

Yes

No

Moderate.

Be sure to take Branch Road as Eight Mile Gate Road is closed due to logging truck traffic. Do not use Mountain Bike Tracks either.

Very patchy.

Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map

Water tap at Blue Lake car park, no other water sources

Can be prone to muddiness of Lake Front Road and on return leg of Blue Lake

Be careful of walkers around Blue Lake, trail can narrow at points

Sequioa Eatery
Tarawera Road
https://sequoiaeatery.co.nz/
Operated by a member of Rotorua Trail Running Club, great supporter of Trail Running. Amazing food options.

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Trail Reviews

Good trail but as Ruth mentioned you can't complete the Green Lake loop part. The Western end of Lake Front road is blocked with a gate and signs stating Private Property, absolutely no entry. Not sure if its blocked at the Eastern end. Just means you have to run back up Tikitapu 4x4 track as the other track closer to the lake is a one way MTB track.

Phil Armstrong

June 6, 2024

A fantastic run if you're wanting a taste of the famous and amazing Rotorua trails. It's tracks that are used in most of the Rotorua off trail (and some road) events too so worth doing to get yourself familiar with the tracks.

Jayne Tankersley

October 3, 2020

This is a beautiful and scenic trail with awesome views of the lakes.

Noeline Best

May 30, 2020

Great trail but the bottom part of the green lake track was closed so we headed back, took moerangi Rd then Hill Rd and back around to the green lake . So many different types of terrain. Lots of great trails everywhere just keep checking the maps and your gps as not well sign posted.

Ruth Bell

January 25, 2020

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