19 May 2013
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Blue Lake Walk

Blue Lake Walk
Map of New Zealand showing Blue Lake Walk
Location: Rotorua
Nearest Town: Rotorua
Nearest City: Rotorua
Length of tramp: 5.4 km
Time needed: 1 hour 45 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Route: Loop
Elevation: 415 M to 460 M
Wet Feet: No
Toilets: At the Blue Lake picnic area.
Dogs: No
Mobile phone coverage: Yes
Date this tramp was last walked: 2007
Track quality: Good  wide track, mainly dirt.
Shops/restaurants: Check out great restaurants in Rotorua here
Hazards: Walking back along  the busy Tarawera road to to your car.
Transport: Try a taxi.
Water: Across the road in the Blue Lake shop  and there is a water tap in the Blue Lake picnic area  next to  the toilet block.
Driving Instructions: From downtown Rotorua, get on to highway 30 to Whakatane,  Tauranga. The first roundabout you come to is the turn off to Lake Tarawera, and the Blue Lake. So turn to the right.  Just follow the road.7.1km. Do not turn onto any other roads. When you arrive at the Blue Lake there is a camp ground and a shop on your left, stop.

Camping on track: No
Track highlights: The Blue Lake is one of the closest lakes to Rotorua. It’s clear blue waters are popular with water skiers, swimmers and boaties. An easy walking track circles the lake taking in beautiful beaches, native bush and the exotic conifers of Whakarewarewa Forest. There are good views over the Blue Lake and the nearby Green Lake Rotokakahi

Map of Blue Lake Walk :

This is a dynamic map. You can zoom in and out using the "+" and "-" buttons, drag the map to see surrounding areas and click on the flags to see each position on the map

Detailed track description for
Blue Lake Walk:

Blue Lake Walk - Start

Photo of Blue Lake Walk - StartPhoto of Blue Lake Walk - StartPhoto of Blue Lake Walk - Start

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There are plenty of parking spaces along the Blue Lake waterfront.  From the carpark walk out onto the lake front then turn to the right.  Follow the lake front for 100m to where the bush comes down to the waters edge. You should see the wooden barrier and the track sign.

Blue Lake Walk - points 2

Photo of Blue Lake Walk - points 2Photo of Blue Lake Walk - points 2

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 From here you should have no trouble following the Blue Lake track.  There might be a couple of small mud holes to jump over at the beginning of the walk.  It's a pity the trees were not trimmed back so you can see more of the lake.

Blue Lake Walk - points 3

Photo of Blue Lake Walk - points 3Photo of Blue Lake Walk - points 3

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Around 30 minutes into the walk, there is a short downhill track on the left. This track will take you down to a small sandy beach.  Just the right place to stop for lunch or just to get your bearings.

Blue Lake Walk - points 4

Photo of Blue Lake Walk - points 4Photo of Blue Lake Walk - points 4

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At this junction just follow the track that runs slightly to the left.   From here on you are walking on an old forestry road. Follow this road up to a car park.

Blue Lake Walk - points 5

Photo of Blue Lake Walk - points 5Photo of Blue Lake Walk - points 5Photo of Blue Lake Walk - points 5

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Now you have two options. One is to walk up to the Tarawera Road turn left and walk the 2.7m back to the car.  Option two, is the better one.  Take the track on your left, this will take you down to the lake. It is a steep decent down through the pine trees. When you walk out onto the lake, turn right and walk along the lake edge. The track starts in the bush 50 m in front of you.  

Blue Lake Walk - points 6

Photo of Blue Lake Walk - points 6Photo of Blue Lake Walk - points 6Photo of Blue Lake Walk - points 6

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Back in the bush again.  This section is a little rocky in places so don’t go kicking your toes on the big ones.   You only have 700m to go before walking out on to the Tarawera Road.  Now turn to the left and follow the road back to the car. This road is quite narrow so watch out for the cars.


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Blue Lake Walk - points 2

Photo of Blue Lake Walk - points 2From here you should have no trouble following the Blue Lake track.
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Blue Lake Walk - points 3

Photo of Blue Lake Walk - points 3Just the right place to stop for lunch or just to get your bearings.
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Blue Lake Walk - points 4

Photo of Blue Lake Walk - points 4Follow this road up to a carpark.
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Blue Lake Walk - points 5

Photo of Blue Lake Walk - points 5Now you have two options.
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Blue Lake Walk - points 6

Photo of Blue Lake Walk - points 6Now turn to the left and follow the road back to the car.
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Blue Lake Walk - Start

Photo of Blue Lake Walk - StartThere are plenty of parking spaces along the Blue Lake waterfront.
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