Not Your Usual Rangitoto

This trail is an out-and-back in one direction to the summit at Rangitoto with some technical climbing, along with a more casual forest loop in the other direction past the caldera lakes. Obviously it can be done in either order, however this describes the route with the summit first.

From the signboard near the Outdoor Education Centre head south on the Tarawhai Track. Keep right always, as there will be two forks to the left. The second of these forks will shortly see you climbing into the hills on the Western Okataina Walkway. Eventually you will again come to another fork, where the Western Okataina Walkway continues to the left along the range. Taking another right will take you up to the Rangitoto trig and hopefully some incredible views.

Retrace your steps, then once back at that start follow the access road to Lake Okataina Road. Turn right to follow the road briefly before then taking a left onto the Ngahopua ("The Caldera") track. Be sure to look out for great views of the two very different caldera on your right as you pass them. This track is a simple loop that will take you back to Lake Okataina Road directly opposite the access road that will take you back to the start.

For a variation to this route, coming back down from the summit and hills you can follow the trails south of the Outdoor Education Centre and across Lake Okataina Road onto more trails that then link up with the Ngahopua track - see the NZ Topo Map for more detail.