Whakarewarewa Circuit (The Black Track)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · Swimming · Views

A great route using a variety of singletrack trails and forestry roads with beautiful views of Rotorua, Tikitapu, and Rotokakahi along the way.

This is a great longer trail run with a few options to cut it short if required. This is a good training route to get familiar with terrain for the Tarawera Ultra Marathons without having to commit a day to a big out and back. The circuit is a Strava Segment and the KOM is getting quicker.

This run is on singletrack, forestry roads and tracks. There are panoramic views of Rotorua from the Tokorangi Pa Track and beautiful sections along lakes Tikitapu (the Blue Lake) and Rotokakahi (the Green Lake). There is good cell phone coverage except down near the lakes.

Some areas are slippery after rain and a couple of areas can be pondy after heavy rain.

Trail markers can be tricky to spot at some of the intersections, but most are marked sometimes on the far side with a thick black arrow on a post though in a variety of formats. It is generally conceded that if you want to follow the trail then you'll need a map, a guide, or the Trail Run Project mobile app :-) The views along the way make the loop well worthwhile!

Californian Redwood, Douglas Firm European Larch, Walnut, various Eucalyptus into Native Bush.