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Central North Island

Lake Rotopounamu: a forest-and-beach loop near Tūrangi

ReGear

Walk Lake Rotopounamu’s 5 km forest loop near Tūrangi. Allow about two hours, with lakeside beaches, an initial climb and SH47 parking.

Mount Pihanga across Lake Rotopounamu.

Rotopounamu is a good step up from a roadside stroll: a short climb, a full lake circuit and several places to stop beside the water. Forest surrounds most of the walk, with open views across the lake from its beaches.

Quick facts

  • About 5 km loop; allow two hours plus stops.
  • Easy to intermediate: an initial climb, then lakeside walking.
  • Start on SH47, about 11 km from Tūrangi.
  • No dogs. Toilet at Long Beach; bring drinking water.

Entrance and getting there

Use the signed car park south of Te Ponanga Saddle. The track is across SH47, so take care crossing the road. Put on your walking gear before crossing and keep the group together.

Location and route maps

Lake Rotopounamu location relative to Turangi on real aerial imagery, with north up.
Lake Rotopounamu mapped walking track highlighted orange on real aerial imagery, with its entrance marked and north up.

Orange highlights show the mapped walking paths. Use DOC’s current track page and map for alerts and trip planning.

The walk, in order

  1. Climb gently through forest to the lake junction.
  2. Turn right for Five Minute Beach, then continue around the eastern shore to Long Beach.
  3. Follow the northern shore past stream mouths to Ten Minute Beach.
  4. Complete the loop at the junction and descend to SH47.

What to expect

The first climb is the main uphill section. For a shorter outing, turn left at the lake junction towards Ten Minute Beach, roughly 20 minutes from the road, then retrace your steps. Choose the shorter option early if the full circuit is more than your group wants.

What I would bring

I would take shoes with grip, a rain jacket, an extra layer, water and lunch in a small daypack. Keep enough food and warmth for a leisurely beach stop rather than planning to keep moving for the whole outing.

Facilities and the return plan

Allow extra time for the beaches and birdlife. Set a turnaround time before starting, carry your rubbish out and leave enough daylight for the drive home.

Another outing to consider: Taranaki Falls near Whakapapa.

More walks to compare

Sources and photo credits

Source checks: 29 September 2026.

Maps: aerial imagery from LINZ Basemaps and its imagery contributors, CC BY 4.0; location labels and track highlights added. Track geometry: Crown copyright, Department of Conservation, DOC Tracks dataset, CC BY 4.0.

Photo: Rotopounamu MRD 03.jpg — Mike Dickison. CC BY 4.0. Resized for display.