Manawatū-Whanganui · Hiking

Upper Tama Lakes Track

2.6 mi
round trip
1,808 ft
climb
5,367 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Upper Tama Lakes Track is an out-and-back trail, 2.6 miles each way (5.2 miles round trip) in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand, inside Tongariro National Park. It runs between about 4,260 ft and 5,370 ft above sea level, with roughly 1,400 ft of climbing one way. It is alpine hiking on rough, exposed ground where you may need your hands for balance; it is for experienced hikers. Most of the way is gravel. The nearest town is Waimarino, about 11 miles east of the trailhead. Peaks within about 3 miles include Saddle Cone, Tama and Pukekaikiore. Taranaki Falls is within about 3 miles. For camping, Whakapapa Holiday Park and Whaihohonu campsite are within about 6 miles. There are 4 other mapped trails within about 3 miles, so you can combine or extend the outing. Distances, elevations and the route shape here come from OpenStreetMap and the Copernicus 90 m elevation model. Trails, access rules and conditions change, so check locally before you go.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Mount Ngāuruhoe Summit RoutePhoto: Javier Sánchez Portero, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Mount Ngāuruhoe Summit Route

~7 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 1.0 miles each way (2.0 miles round trip) in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand.

Tongariro Alpine CrossingPhoto: ogwen, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

~9 min drive

A 12-mile point-to-point route in Waikato, New Zealand.

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Dome Summit Track

~7 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 1.9 miles each way (3.8 miles round trip) in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand.

Mount Tongariro Summit RoutePhoto: Eusebius@Commons, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Mount Tongariro Summit Route

~9 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 0.9 miles each way (1.8 miles round trip) in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand.

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Lower Taranaki Falls Track

~3 min drive

A 2.0-mile point-to-point route in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand.

Tokaanu Geothermal WalkPhoto: Pseudopanax at en.wikipedia, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Tokaanu Geothermal Walk

~31 min drive

A 0.4-mile loop in Waikato, New Zealand.

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Ridge Track (unmarked)

~5 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 0.3 miles each way (0.6 miles round trip) in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand.

Waipakihi Middle Range RoutePhoto: Jesselawtonnz, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Waipakihi Middle Range Route

~34 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 1.2 miles each way (2.4 miles round trip) in Waikato, New Zealand.

HIKE

Ridge Walk

~5 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 0.5 miles each way (0.9 miles round trip) in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand.

HIKE

Hauhungatahi Route

~10 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 2.8 miles each way (5.6 miles round trip) in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand.

Conditions and forecast

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at Upper Tama Lakes Track for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors