Last Updated: 3rd Nov 2024
Great Lake Trail Loop
Last Updated: 3rd Nov 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 26 ?
Gnarl Factor: 20 ?
24.5km
520m
520m
631m
Last Updated: 3rd Nov 2024
Last Updated: 3rd Nov 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 26 ?
Gnarl Factor: 20 ?
24.5km
520m
520m
631m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Riverside
Lakeside
Open ridges/tops
Volcanic
Sealed Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +4.9%
Average Downhill Gradient: -5.2%
Login as a VIP to see the trailhead information.
4:30
Slow
3:30
Moderate
2:45
Fast
Departing from the carpark, take the trail that runs parallel to the road (on the left of the carpark as you drove in). This will eventually end at a road. Follow the road for about 750m until you see the trail sign on the left hand side. From there on this trail is 100% single trail - it is shared with bikes though so be aware.
After about 10km you will come to an intersection, you can go left to Kinloch if you need coffee, otherwise turn right here and head to Kawakawa Bay. There is a nice wee climb in this section and a great stopping viewpoint.
At Kawakawa Bay you will probably meet up with copious numbers of campers as it's very popular, especially with rock-climbers. It is also the only point of the loop where you come in contact with the lake. Once you leave the bay, the trail traverses along parallel to the shore for roughly 3km before starting the long and gradual climb back up to the carpark. This section passes some excellent wetland.
Great views over Lake Taupo. Plenty of birdlife.
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.
Sizable carpark with toilets
27 km
21 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
Patchy.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Map
Nothing for the first 10km or so.... after that there are scattered streams, although not always easy to get to.
Well prepared trail to pretty much Great Walk standard, so good throughout the year.
Nothing much other than mountain bikes
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Great Lake Trail Loop
As a VIP member you can record private notes for this trail, see all of your times and more.
Already have an account? Login now
Great loop with a super surface. We are lucky to have this locally. I added in the whangamata stream for some extra kms
January 19, 2024
Nice, well formed track but too much of the same and a bit boring for me. There is only a couple of spots along the way where you can get a nice view of the lake.
November 13, 2022
Great track! The track has been thoughtfully drawn in pen onto the Great Lakes trail map at the start. The initial route is called the O2K track. It is essentially a mountain bike path but very quiet. Could build up a nice stride. Under trees for at least 70% of the way. The trail goes right down to Lake Taupo shoreline. Had a blast!
April 11, 2021
Nice cover from the hot sun heat for most of the run and a few awesome lookout spots. It depends what you like in a run, I prefer more technical running (rocks, steep drops, etc) and this track is basically a mountain bike track - it's wide & smooth. There is only the smallest of segments on the road though! Overall pretty fun
March 6, 2021
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.
Send to your phone
Scan the below QR code to open this trail on your phone.
Tip: position the QR code in your phone camera screen.
