Tama Lakes

Time: 5-6 Hours Return

Tama lakes is actually a section of the Tongariro Northen circuit. Starting from Whakapapa village

it is a 17.3 km walk with only a 592 m of total ascension; not much when you compare to the altitudes of the nearby Mt Ruapehu (2797 m) and Mt Ngauruhoe (2287 m).

The whole track is well marked and gravelled which is always nice during or after bad weather. From Whakapapa village to Taranaki falls, the 2.7 km path  is going through sub-alpine tussocks and some old lava flow ("Edge of the lava flow" 2 km from start). If you take the Taranaki falls loop anticlockwise you will end up actually on the top of the falls; you will be able to admire them on your way back if you decide to complete the loop. From that point you will head off Mt Ngauruhoe (the conical one), walking along  a stream between hills. After 1 h 45 min, you will find a signpost indicating Tama lakes or Waihohonu hut. The lower Tama lake is only at 10 min (one way) from this point; for the upper one it is a longer walk and much more steeper, probably the most exhausting part of this walk. The views from the hill situated between the two lakes are very nice. You can go a little bit higher (see the track on the picture below) to be able to see the two lakes from above. The way down is pretty much the same a part when you reach the Taranaki falls where it is worth to complete the loop (especially if you done half of it anticlockwise) in order to see properly the falls