Walking in Rotorua
Explore the Rotorua City Walkway or discover the tranquil trails around the region’s stunning lakes, forests and thermal areas.
Rotorua City Walkway
This 26km walkway around Rotorua takes in active geothermal areas as well as native birdlife and local heritage sites. There are some lovely picnic spots en route. Starting points include Kuirau Park, Pukeroa Hill across Ranolf Street from Kuirau Park, and the Lakefront walk. You can pick up a brochure of the Rotorua City Walkway at i-SITE Rotorua on Fenton Street. The shorter sections of the walk are as follows:
Pukeroa (10min,) wheelchair access. This former pa site and garden was gifted to Rotorua by the Ngati Whakaue in 1881.
Rotorua Lakefront (20min,) wheelchair access. This pleasant walk along Rotorua’s lakefront offers fine views of Mokoia Island.
Motutara (Sulphur Bay) (25min). Sulphur Bay is a wildlife refuge frequented by many bird species. There is a geothermal area at Sulphur Point.
Te Arikiroa Walk (15min). This walk brings you through a geothermal landscape and the site of a major Maori tribal battle. You can also cycle along this section.
Te Puarenga Walk (45min). This section follows Puarenga Stream to the gateway at Whakarewarewa Village.
Rotorua Tree Trust (40min). From Whakarewarewa Village, the walkway follows the streets to the tree trust site.
Te Utuhina (2hrs 45min). Winding through streets and reserves, this section follows the Utuhina Stream.
Kuirau Park (25min). There are some spectacular geothermal features along this section of the walk – but stay on the path at all times.
Rotorua Lakes
Blue Lake Track (2hrs return). Enjoy the beautiful views of the native bush and the city’s famous Blue Lake (Tikitapu) and Green Lake (Rotokakahi) on this circuit track. Located 9km south-east of Rotorua,
Hinehopu/Hongi’s Track (3hrs return). Linking Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoehu, this track has tranquil native forest and picnicking and swimming at Lake Rotoiti. Located 20km north-east of Rotorua off SH 30.
Okere Falls Track (1hr return). Enjoy the scenic lookouts over Kaituna River and the cascading waterfalls. From the main lookout, you can watch rafters and kayakers plunge over the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. Located 21 km from Rotorua on Trout Pool road off SH 33.
Isthmus Track (40min return). Enjoy majestic views of Mount Tarawera, steaming cliffs and silica terraces on this track linking Lakes Tarawera and Rotomahana. Located 26 km south-east of Rotorua.
Rainbow Mountain Crater Lake Walk (30min return). Located 26 km south-east of Rotorua, beside SH5, this walk has great views over two crater lakes against a backdrop of steaming cliffs.
Te Waihou Walkway (3hrs return). Travel along the upper reaches of the Waihou River, famous for its vivid blue colour. Wetlands and small waterfalls set in native bush add to the trail’s beauty. Drive west on SH5 and take the Putaruru turning on Whites road (SH 28). The entrance is just past Leslie Road.
Waiotapu Thermal Track (4min return). Located about 27km south of Rotorua, this short walk leads through an active thermal area with hot bubbling mud pools.
Whakarewarewa Forest
The beautiful Whakarewarewa Forest has a network of scenic walks, with views of the city and Lake Rotorua. The Redwoods Visitor Centre has free walking track maps and forest information.