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This trail in the volcanic Tongariro National Park leads runners to two lakes in old eruption craters.


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Map Key

5.6

Miles

9.0

KM

92%

Runnable

4,696' 1,431 m

High

3,713' 1,132 m

Low

1,222' 372 m

Up

239' 73 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

35%

Max Grade (19°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Lake · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall

The weather can change quickly especially at the higher elevations. Be prepared for wind, cold, and rain, even on nice days.

Description

Tama Lakes Track is a spectacular track through the Tongariro volcanic area. It goes through a variety of terrains - forested, tussock covered, sub-alpine, and alpine. Along the way it passes a major creek, waterfalls and two beautiful blue lakes. This is all with a back drop of active volcanoes in the distance.

Tama Lakes Track and several other trails, start from a well-marked trailhead slightly north of the Whakapapa Visitor Center, on State Highway 48. From its trailhead, Tama Lakes Track begins by climbing very gradually through grass, tussock, brush, and forested terrain.

At about 1.9 miles from its trailhead, Tama Lakes Track crosses a sturdy bridge over the Wairere Stream. To the left of the bridge, Taranaki Falls plunges 66 feet over a lava flow cliff. Taranaki Falls can best be seen after crossing the bridge, and taking a very short side trip down Taranaki Falls Track.

After crossing Wairere Stream, Tama Lakes Track goes through tussock covered terrain with great views of Mt. Ruapehu, an active volcano, in the distance to the south (right) of the trail. The trail gradually climbs, then gradually descends, and finally becomes level as it reaches a trail junction about 4.3 miles from its trailhead. Shortly before this trail junction, Mt. Ngauruhoe, another active volcano, starts rising to the northeast (left) of the trail. Go left at this trail junction to follow Tama Lakes Track.

After the trail junction, Tama Lakes Track is flat for another .7 miles, as it continues through tussocks. Mt. Ngauruhoe can clearly be seen to the northeast, and Mt. Ruapehu is to the south. Ahead, one can see the lip of a large bowl. This bowl is an old eruption crater that has filled part way with water - Lower Tama Lake. The trail approaches the old eruption crater and then follows its rim, with great views of Lower Tama Lake below.

After passing Lower Tama Lake, Tama Lakes Track becomes harder to follow. Look for orange tipped poles to guide the way. The trail climbs steeply over dirt, gravel, and rocky terrain as it leaves Lower Tama Lake behind. After about a third of a mile, a barren ridge is reached, and the trail is relatively flat until its end, high above Upper Tama Lake. This section can be quite windy and chilly. Upper Tama Lake is also in an old eruption crater. At the end of Tama Lakes Track, there are great views of both Tama Lakes, Mt. Ngauruhoe, Mt. Ruapehu, and all the tussock covered lands below.

Contacts

Shared By:

Joan Pendleton

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 6 votes

#499

Overall
  5.0 from 6 votes
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Trail Rankings

#4

in New Zealand

#499

Overall
21 Views Last Month
3,492 Since Apr 30, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

Lower Tama Lake and Mt. Ruapehu are quite beautiful when seen from the Tama Lakes Track.
May 14, 2017 near Waiouru, NZ
Looking northeast at the end of Tama Lakes Track, enjoy a spectacular view of Upper Tama Lake with Mt. Ngauruhoe on the left.
Apr 30, 2017 near Waiouru, NZ
Falls Bridge with Ruapehu in the background
Jul 17, 2016 near Ohakune, NZ
Mt. Ruapehu and Lower Tama Lake are spectacular when seen from the end of Tama Lakes Track.
Apr 30, 2017 near Waiouru, NZ
Taranaki Falls!
Jul 17, 2016 near Ohakune, NZ
Lower Tama Lake is in the bowl ahead as you approach it on Tama Lakes Track.
May 14, 2017 near Waiouru, NZ

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