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Walking trails in Rotorua

Rotorua has many kilometres of walking tracks just waiting to be explored. From lakeside strolls to trails for the more intrepid hiker, there is something for every age, interest and level of fitness.

The 26km Rotorua City Walkway has eight sections. The various sections take in areas of historical, cultural, scenic and scientific interest; there is even a bird sanctuary. The majority of the landscape in Kuirau Park and along the Motutara and Te Arikiroa sections of lakeside walk has been shaped by geothermal activity.

Other excellent options are Hamurana Springs, Lake Tikitapu (the Blue Lake), the Lake Okareka Walkway, Eastern and Western Okataina Walkways, Rainbow Mountain, Tarawera Falls, Hinehopu/Hongi's Track and Okere Falls.

A Tarawera Falls walk can be combined with a kayaking trip, contact Adventure Kayaking.

Mt Tarawera 4WD Tours NZ Ltd offer guided 4WD tours up Mt Tarawera with a variety of walk options including once at the summit.

A new track on Mt Ngongotaha track was opened during Conservation Week August 2007. Joining the historic Jubilee Track to the top of the mountain, access is from the Violet Bonnington Reserve, 40 Paradise Valley Road (on the way to the stockcar track). The new track is part of a push by the Mt Ngongotaha Bush Restoration Trust to create a predator-free 500 hectare sanctuary of conservation land on the upper slopes of Mt Ngongotaha. They aim to encourage the return of native birds and plants (virtually wiped out by pests) and save the last remaining mature Northern Rata on the mountain.

A great selection of walking and hiking tracks can also be found in Whakarewarewa Forest , off Longmile Road . The forest options include a host of colour–coded marked trails for beginners and leisure walkers through to hikers looking for an extra challenge.

For further information and detailed maps about where to walk visit The Redwoods Gift Shop and Visitor centre or Rotorua i-SITE.

The adventurous should check out Whirinaki Forest Park and Te Urewera National, both south-east of Rotorua. The closest, Whirinaki, features the 27km Whirinaki Track. The park is sometimes called a ‘dinosaur forest' as it contains remnants of virgin rainforest; as such it is one of the world's most precious rainforests in the world. Nature Connection NZ offer a full day fully guided walks in the Whirinaki Forest. Te Urewera Treks offer a range of unique one to three day wilderness treks in both these forests.

Lake Waikaremoana, 156km from Rotorua, is a feature of the 212,673ha Te Urewera National Park. The Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk is a 46km 3/4 day tramp which follows the shore of the lake for most of its length. It is one of a network of Great Walks managed by the Department of Conservation throughout New Zealand. It is rated a moderate tramp offering magnificent scenery and plenty of opportunity for swimming and fishing. Rotorua-based company Walking Legends Guided Walks takes guided walks to both Waikaremoana and Tongariro National Parks.