- About 2.2km loop, roughly 50 minutes at an easy walking pace, with a couple of short climbs.
- Follows the Ngahopua Track through tall native forest to a cliff top view over Lake Okataina’s twin crater lakes.
- Dogs and other pets are not allowed anywhere in Lake Okataina Scenic Reserve.
- Starts on Lake Okataina Road, about 22km from Rotorua off SH30 at Ruato.
Quick facts
Getting there
Turn off SH30 onto Lake Okataina Road at Ruato, on the shore of Lake Rotoiti, about 22km north east of Rotorua. Follow Lake Okataina Road for several kilometres and the track start is on the left, directly opposite the side road into the Okataina Outdoor Education Centre. There is room to pull in at the roadside here.
Lake Okataina Road is a rural road and it has been closed by slips and storm damage in the past. Check the current road status before you head out, especially after heavy rain.
The Lake Okataina walk, step by step
From the roadside start the track, known as the Ngahopua Track, climbs gently into tall native forest. Rimu, tawa and rewarewa close overhead pretty quickly and the road noise drops away. The path is a well formed dirt track with a few tree roots to watch for, and it works its way up through a couple of short, steady climbs.
About halfway round, the track skirts a cliff edge about 100 metres above two small crater lakes, Rotongata and Rotoatua. This is the highlight of the loop and also the one spot that needs care. There are barriers along the drop off sections, so stay behind them, keep to the formed track and keep children close.
From the lookout the track loops back down through more forest to rejoin the road a short walk from where you started, closing the loop.
What you will see
The forest here is mature and largely untouched, with a good canopy of native trees and plenty of birdsong. The real drawcard is the view over Rotongata and Rotoatua, twin volcanic crater lakes that formed around 3,500 years ago. Both lakes support birdlife including scaup and dabchick, and on a clear day the still water below the cliff is a striking contrast to the bush around it. Lake Okataina itself, glimpsed through the trees on the drive in, has its own quiet reputation as one of the least developed of the Rotorua lakes.
Who it is for
This suits anyone after a short forest walk with a proper payoff view, without committing to a full day out. It works well for families with older, sensible kids who can be trusted near a marked cliff edge, for birdwatchers, and for visitors staying at Lake Okataina or Lake Rotoiti who want an hour outdoors. It is not a track for young children who need constant hands-on supervision on narrow paths, and it is not for anyone wanting to bring the dog.
When to go
The loop is walkable year round since most of it is under forest cover. Mornings are quietest and give the best chance of birdsong. The dirt track gets muddy and can be slippery after rain, so decent shoes help. Because access depends on a rural road that can be affected by weather, it pays to check conditions before driving out after heavy rain.
Important stuff
- No dogs or other pets are permitted on the Lake Okataina Short Loop or any other track in Lake Okataina Scenic Reserve.
- Where the track skirts the cliff above the twin crater lakes there are high drop offs. Stay behind the barriers, keep to the track and supervise children closely.
- Lake Okataina Road can close due to slips or storm damage in severe weather, so check the current road status before you go, especially after heavy rain.
- Bikes, motorbikes and horses are not permitted on the track.
My honest take
I walked this on a still weekday morning and had the forest to myself the whole way round. It is a short loop, but it does not feel like a token walk. The climb up warms you up nicely, the bush is genuinely good quality, and the moment the track opens out above those two crater lakes is worth the whole trip on its own. I stood at the barrier longer than I probably needed to.
The path underfoot is a bit rooty and can be greasy in patches even when it has not rained for a day or two, so I would not do this one in bare-footed jandals. Fifty minutes is about right if you stop to look around, less if you keep moving. It is one of those walks that punches well above its length.
Common questions
How long is the Lake Okataina Short Loop?
It is about 2.2km and takes most walkers around 50 minutes at an easy pace.
Can I bring my dog to Lake Okataina?
No. Dogs and other pets are not permitted on this track or any other track in Lake Okataina Scenic Reserve.
Can I camp or park overnight at Lake Okataina?
No. There is no overnight parking or camping allowed at the Lake Okataina Scenic Reserve car park.
Are bikes or horses allowed on the track?
No. Vehicles including bicycles and motorbikes, and horses, are not permitted on tracks within Lake Okataina Scenic Reserve.
Is there a lodge at Lake Okataina?
There is lodge accommodation on the lake, separate from the DOC reserve and walking tracks. Check current availability and details directly with the lodge before you book.
Other walks nearby
More Rotorua walks worth a look:
Back to Rotorua Walks.
