• Self Guided Walk or Hike Only

    Mystical trek

Self Guided Walk or Hike Only

Explore walking and hiking options for all fitness levels in the Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Choose the highlights walk, or opt for the full walk. Add the Mt Haszard hiking trail for the full experience.

Includes

  • Duration - 2+ hours

    1 hour minimum. Easy, mainly downhill. Suitable for beginners and experienced walkers.

  • Price - NZD $55
  • Departures - from 8.30am
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Overview

Enjoy views of the mysterious and beautiful Inferno Crater which rises and falls as it heats and cools. See the delicate sinter terraces growing from minerals solidifying out of the hot spring water. Waimangu Volcanic Valley is home to Frying Pan Lake, one of the largest hot water springs in the World.

Brilliantly coloured microbes cloak the hot rocks. Tiny springs and geysers play. Immerse yourself amongst the rare and unusual plants that grow on the hot earths of Waimanguamongst the regenerating native forests.

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Our shuttle bus returns you from the end of your walk / hike back to the entrance. We open daily at 8:30 am.

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Price

  • Adults (17 years+) $55.00pp
  • Children (6-16 years) $32.00pp
  • Family (2 adults & up to 3 children) $165
  • Under 6's Free with adult

Timetable

Walk/Hike
Option
From – to Distance Duration Difficulty/Other Info. Highlights Departure Info
Highlights Walk Waimangu Entrance
to Bus Stop 1
1.5km 1 hour Moderate downhill and flat. There are steps up to Inferno Crater.  Suitable for most levels of fitness. Panoramas over the valley, the Southern Crater, regenerating forest, Frying Pan Lake, Cathedral Rocks, rare plants, hot springs, Inferno Crater Lake, Silica Terraces and stalactites Last admission: 15.30 for 17.00 close
All the Hot Springs Waimangu Entrance
to Bus Stop 2
3.2km 1 hour
30 min
Downhill steps after Bus Stop 1, otherwise flat. Suitable for most levels of fitness. Panoramas over the valley, Southern Crater, Emerald Lake, regenerating forest, Frying Pan Lake, Cathedral Rocks, rare plants, hot springs, Inferno Crater Lake, silica terraces, and stalactites. A large number of native birds can be seen on this walk. Last admission: 15.10 for 17.00 close
Full walk to the Lake Waimangu Entrance
to Bus Stop 3
4.0km 1 hour
45 min
Flat from Bus Stop 2. Suitable for most levels of fitness. The full 4km walk allows you to experience all Waimangu Volcanic Valley has to offer, including wonderful panoramas over the valley, Southern Crater, Emerald Lake, regenerating forest, Frying Pan Lake, Cathedral Rocks, rare plants, hot springs, Inferno Crater Lake, silica terraces and stalactites. There is excellent bird watching along this trail. Last admission: 14.50 for 17.00 close
Hiking Waimangu Entrance
to Inferno Crater, then over Mt Haszard Hiking Trail. Rejoin the main path down to Bus Stop 3
4.5km 2 hours+  Good fitness is required. Good walking/hiking shoes required.Not recommended for children, pushchairs, or wheelchairs. Spectacular panoramic views of the valley, the surrounding region, Rainbow Mountain, Mt Tarawera, and Lake Rotomahana are highlights of this hike. Recommended last admission: 14.30 fo

Other Experiences

  • What an unbelievable walk, really good information on both the brochure and on boards at strategic points. Lots of activity from the thermal vents and the lakes, it took us 3 hours to walk down, and after the boat around the lake we took the free bus back to the top, but you can walk back. A great day…

    Andy
    Hatherleigh, United Kingdom

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  • We had a great trip here - very organised walk with lots of information and fascinating views of the craters. The boat trip on the lake was very relaxing and timed to allow us to catch the bus back up. We had a good lunch back at the…

    Penny
    Brisbane, Australia

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  • So impressive and wonderful to tramp through...fantastic vapor whirls on the magnificent colorful lakes...great ferns with thousands of different shades of green.....amazing viewpoints to look down into the valley...awesome hues of ever changing volcanic terraces in different lights of the day....a great bus service for weary people or elderly ones to appreciate this veritable gem of…

    Thomas Rhöse
    Google Review

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  • A must-go in Rotorua, where you'll explore a stunning scenery of ferns and volcanic rocks and…

    Simone
    Brasillia

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  • A peaceful quiet walk in the rain. We came here on a rainy day, as there wasn’t much else to do outside when in rains in Rotorua. Staff was nice and walked us through the bus stops and how everything worked there. We paid the additional $5 to rent a heat thermometer gun (not sure was the actual name of it is). It was cool to see how hot the water was getting with the temperature gauge. This was a good place to go when it rains. The walkway is…

    Spring
    Texas

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  • We were fortunate to visit when there were no crowds and walked the valley in almost complete isolation which added to the mysterious and prehistoric feel. Everywhere we turned was a feast for the eyes. Our teenage son only wished we could have spent more time there. If you appreciate nature, enjoy an easy hike, want to see something unique Waimangu is for…

    Dianna
    Tokyo, Japan

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