Off-lead OKHard
Great Lake Trail: Waihora Section
Kuratau · Waikato
↑ 232 m gain↓ 277 m descenthigh 492 msteepest 26 %
DISTANCE12.7 km
ASCENT232 m
DURATION2h 55m
STEEPEST26 %
DirectionsApple MapsForecast at the trailheadDOC track pageDownload GPXSend the start point to your phone
Nearest emergency vetWaikato After Hours Veterinary Hospital (WAVH), Hamilton
07 839 5656
The route
Good to know
Dogs can run off-lead here, one of only 323 tracks in Aotearoa where that’s allowed.
Open track, carry water for the dogUsually a quiet track
About Great Lake Trail: Waihora Section
Near Kuratau in Waikato, Great Lake Trail: Waihora Section runs 12.7 km as a track.
The Waihora Track is a section of the Great Lake Trail through the remote Western Bays of Lake Taupō, running from the end of Waihāhā Road (SH 32) past volcanic rock formations, native bush and clifftop lookouts before descending via bridges and boardwalks to Waihora Bay. About 4 hours' walk one way.
It sits at the hard end and gains roughly 232 m, pitching up to 26 % at its steepest, and takes about 2h 55m to walk.
Dogs are allowed off the lead on this one. DOC’s own wording: “Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times.”.