Lake Ōkataina Walking Tracks: Tarawhai, Ngahopua and Anaha/Kepa

There are plenty of short walking tracks at Lake Ōkataina and can be combined for a longer day in the bush. I recommend downloading the NZTopo50 - North Island app as the tracks are loaded on there. I usually park at either Ōkataina Outdoor Education Centre, or at the Tarawhai Track entrance (along the driveway to the centre), but apart from Ngahopua, the other tracks do have car parks with enough room for a couple of cars.

The tracks I walked to do this loop: Tarawhai Track entrance, Western Ōkataina Walkway, Waipunga Track, crossed Ōkataina Road, Anaha/Kepa Track, exit to Ōkataina Road and back to the car. If your legs are up for it, I recommend Ngahopua Track on a sunny day to check out the twin lakes.

Tarawhai Track (loop track, 2km return)

Wood ear mushrooms up high in the trees.

This one’s my fave! It’s such a lovely bushwalk under the tall canopy, and the birdsong is incredible. You can walk the loop in either direction, with both options finishing at the Ōkataina Outdoor Education Centre. The Tarawhai Track entrance is just along the driveway to the centre. The track is pretty steady underfoot, although there are a few rooty sections to keep an eye on. It’s also a great link to the Western Ōkataina Walkway and Whakapoungakau Trig (758m.a.s.l.). From here, you can follow the Waipunga Track down to Lake Ōkataina, or head towards Ōkataina Road and cross over to the Anaha/Kepa Tracks if you’re keen to keep exploring.

The track is lovely and steady underfoot.

Anaha/Kepa Track (loop track, 2.56km)

Reflections on a big puddle on the track.

These tracks pass old logging sites and clearings where you can still spot signs of the area’s past. Anaha and Kepa connect with each other, and you can easily turn either into a loop by walking back along the road. Anaha was named after master carver Anaha Te Rahui, while Kepa was named after Kepa Ehau, who helped the area gain scenic reserve status. If you’re keen to stretch the legs a bit further, Anaha also connects with the Ngahopua Track, so there are plenty of options for making it a longer walk.

Ngahopua Track (loop track, 2km return)

Views of Lake Rotongata, also known as the Mirror Lake.

First published in April 2018: This is from a previous blog as the track was closed when I walked the other tracks recently. DoC are upgrading the fence barriers to the twin lakes. Check the DoC website for the latest info and reopening. It’s due to reopen early November 2026.

The loop track entry is on Ōkataina Road, across the road from the entrance to the outdoor education centre. As I had just walked Te Auheke, I parked the car at the Tarawhai Track entrance, less than five minutes’ walk from the gate. I walked the track clockwise (you can walk it either way), and the exit is about 50m down the road - turn right to make your way back to the Centre.

The hike started with a steady uphill, the track was pretty narrow and had a lot of overgrown roots. Make sure to watch your step as there is a drop off to your left. My legs were a bit sluggish, but the walk itself was still relatively easy.

As the sun began to break through the trees, I started to see the first glimpses of Rotongata, also known as Mirror Lake. Don’t worry if the view is obscured by trees, keep walking along and there is a ledge that opens up to a full view. Lake Rotongata and its neighbour, Lake Rotoatua are volcanic craters that haven’t erupted in 3,500 years and aren’t considered active.

The view from Lake Rototua was more obscured, so I didn’t get good pictures of that one. I noticed there were a lot of wooden fences on this part of the track, maybe it’s more prone to slips. The track links up to the Anaha/Kepa Track junction - turn right to head back to Ōkataina Road. It’s just another 10 minutes to walk out to the small car park area.