Rainbow Mountain Summit Track (Maungakaramea)
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Marios Gavalas
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Information
Rainbow Mountain Summit Track (Maungakaramea)
5 km return | 3 hours return to summit
Rainbow Mountain has been an active geothermal area for several hundred years and a reserve since 1903. The surface features are a manifestation of the extensive Waimangu / Waiotapu hydrothermal field.
Aptly named Rainbow Mountain due to the unusual colour of the soil. Busy geothermal activity and a pleasant walk through native bush to the summit.
Walking Track
Access
Rainbow Mountain is signposted 500 metres after the turnoff to S.H.38, 29km south of Rotorua on S.H.5.
Track
Maungakaramea is an active geothermal area with a fragile ecosystem. You MUST stay on the track at all times.
To the Crater Lake, the track is narrow and even. It climbs gently for 10 minutes to a junction, 1 minute from the Crater Lake lookout.
The main track climbs steadily on a mostly even surface for 1¼ hours to a junction with the metalled road. The summit is a further 5 minutes.
Geology
The Crater Lakes nestle at the foot of a scarlet and white cliffs, encrusted with sporadic clumps of tenacious vegetation. The colours arise from the hydrothermal activity, which cooks the rock to release minerals and chemically alters their composition.
The lake visible from the lookout is a milky peppermint colour and is accompanied by the bubbling of nearby hydrothermal outlets. Steaming fumaroles vent wisps of cloudy vapour on the hilltop above.
Flora
Much of the vegetation on the mountain is directly related to the thermal conditions, with periods of cooling interspersed with episodes of burning. A mosaic of tall shrubland, low forest and isolated stands of kamahi forest cloak the slopes.
Rare vegetation includes prostrate kanuka, threatened orchids and tropical ferns on the warm slopes.
Fauna
The lakes harbour a biota very restricted in distribution, which includes thermophyllic bacteria and enzymes.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC Bay of PlentyCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Waiotapu |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Walking
Nearby
Reviews
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3.5/5
Walk to Kerosene Creek was alright.
Nice track but not very interesting views. The view point for Crater lake was closed off. Kerosene Creek on the other hand was realllly nice for a warm swim, so take swimming stuff and a towel!
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4.0/5
22Sept18.
Stopped by and walked to the crater. That was good. Not enough time for the longer walks.
The car park is more of a lay by for storage of gravel and was very uneven and bumpy when we were there hence only 8.
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3.5/5
This was an easy track on a cloudy day.
Nevertheless, the volcanic activities on the mountain are astounding! Fumeroles are everywhere, sulphur and other gasses perfuming the area! Amazing that track finished at Kerosene Creek where we took a warm bath.
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4.0/5
Beautiful walk if you take all of it - and not only the last part from the parking lot.
Possibilities to take a swim/dip in the warm weather. Quite a lot of people.
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3.5/5
The view from top was OK for me, I wouldn't go again.
What I liked most was the Blue lake. Fascinating colour!
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4.5/5
Nice trekking to the top of a hill with a lookout of all the surrounding area including a beautiful blue lake and ending in some really hot thermal springs with a nice waterfall - all free.
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4.5/5
One of the most underrated DOC walks.
Blue Crater lake, red rocks, not too exhausting, but not for wheelchairs.
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4.0/5
360 degree view of the landscape!
If the weather is good you can see both Taupo and Rotorua, lakes, forests, and Tongariro.
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3.5/5
Walk to Kerosene Creek was alright.
Nice track but not very interesting views. The view point for Crater lake was closed off. Kerosene Creek on the other hand was realllly nice for a warm swim, so take swimming stuff and a towel!
-
4.0/5
22Sept18.
Stopped by and walked to the crater. That was good. Not enough time for the longer walks.
The car park is more of a lay by for storage of gravel and was very uneven and bumpy when we were there hence only 8.
-
3.5/5
This was an easy track on a cloudy day.
Nevertheless, the volcanic activities on the mountain are astounding! Fumeroles are everywhere, sulphur and other gasses perfuming the area! Amazing that track finished at Kerosene Creek where we took a warm bath.
-
4.0/5
Beautiful walk if you take all of it - and not only the last part from the parking lot.
Possibilities to take a swim/dip in the warm weather. Quite a lot of people.
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-
3.5/5
The view from top was OK for me, I wouldn't go again.
What I liked most was the Blue lake. Fascinating colour!
-
4.5/5
One of the most underrated DOC walks.
Blue Crater lake, red rocks, not too exhausting, but not for wheelchairs.
-
4.5/5
Nice trekking to the top of a hill with a lookout of all the surrounding area including a beautiful blue lake and ending in some really hot thermal springs with a nice waterfall - all free.
-
4.0/5
360 degree view of the landscape!
If the weather is good you can see both Taupo and Rotorua, lakes, forests, and Tongariro.
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4.0/5
It took us a bit longer than one hour to get a very nice view (360).
You could also go by a mountain bike.
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5.0/5
Mountain biked to the summit and out via the dh track, great job by the Rotorua track builders and DOC, we need more trails like these on the DOC reserves
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4.5/5
South of Rotorua.
Amazing views across the Rotorua region. You can see several lakes and geothermal spots. Moderate walk with a few steep sections.
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3.5/5
Three hours walking/great view from the lookout on the top; nice staff with cold water on the top.
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3.5/5
Short trek (2hrs return) to the top of Rainbow Mountain.
Easy uphill walk through pretty forest with one volcanic lagoon on the way. Great views of lakes around Rotorua and surrounding countryside.
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4.0/5
Great environment.
But why do they not mark the best walk up the hill? Instead they just warn you it might be dangerous.
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4.5/5
Moderate hike to top of Rainbow Mountain.
Great view at the top. Geothermal pool can be seen along the way.
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3.5/5
A short hike (2.5 hrs return) up to the summit of Mt Rainbow.
Lovely views + start and finish is right next to the highway - easy access.
