more stats
5.2 miles
Distance
616 ft
Climb
-613 ft
Descent
00:45:19
Avg time
3 ft
Altitude change
1,187 ft
Altitude min
1,638 ft
Altitude max
1,197 ft
Altitude start
1,201 ft
Altitude end
-17.4%
Grade max
43.2%
Grade min
2 miles
Distance climb
3 miles
Distance down
2,552 ft
Distance flat
00:45:19
Avg time

K2K Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Great Lake Trails
    Taupo
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Local Popularity
    50 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 55 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #54767 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #98500 in Trail Running
    • #117207 in Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes

Kawakawa Bay to Kinloch.

Part of the Great Lake Cycle Trails (along with W2K and Orakau). Fantastic in either direction.

From Kawakawa Bay the trail climbs up through native bush to the Te Kauwae headland providing a reward of spectacular views across the lake and Western Bays. The trail then descends to the lake edge with the final section on the lake front before finishing at the village of Kinloch.

The Great Lake Trails are maintained by Bike Taupō with local support and National Cycleways funding. Please take a few minutes and take this survey to help us procure continuing funding support.
https://survey.getsmartglobal.com/survey/?question=52925

Access Info

Either as part of the Great Lake Cycle Trails (W2K and Orakau), or from Kinloch head to the western side of the bay and follow the single track.

Trail Supporters
  • Sponsor
Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 1 rides
  • 21 miles average
6 Months
  • 23 rides
  • 20 miles avg distance
All
  • 126 rides
  • Last: Jun 21, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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K2K Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Nov 5, 2025 @ 9:27am (Pacific/Auckland)
Nov 4, 2025
Oct 8, 2025 @ 9:56am (Pacific/Auckland)
Oct 7, 2025
 A bit of mud here and there to make life interesting, but the bulk of it was dry.
Mar 10, 2025 @ 9:37am
Mar 10, 2025
 All clear
Oct 27, 2024 @ 9:21am
Oct 27, 2024
Sep 19, 2024 @ 10:59am
Sep 19, 2024
 2x Trees across trail heading down to Katakana Bay from Kinloch
more »
Status:
on Nov 5, 2025
Ideal
Avg: 4.31 (11 votes)
Your vote: 0

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  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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        Directions to k2k trailhead (-38.663090, 175.920030)

        Photos

        28 more »
        32 |
        Jan 16, 2026 @ 3:58pm
        Jan 16, 2026
        64 |
        Sep 17, 2023 @ 8:50pm
        Sep 17, 2023
        50 |
        Sep 17, 2023 @ 8:50pm
        Sep 17, 2023
        108 |
        Jul 17, 2021 @ 2:57am
        Jul 17, 2021

        Videos

        2 more »
        youtuber K2K - Great Lake Trail, Taupo [Ep#43]
        15:28 | 1148 | Jul 27, 2018 , Taupo
        Great Lake Trail New Zealand:Kinloch to...
        8:31 | 998 | Apr 17, 2018 , Taupo

        Technical Trail Features (TTF)

        Links

        8 Reviews & Comments


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        Frequently Asked Questions About K2K

        ▼ Where is K2K located?
        K2K is located in Great Lake Trails, Taupo, New Zealand. It is part of the Great Lake Trails trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates -38.66309, 175.92003.
        ▼ How hard is K2K?
        K2K is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for K2K?
        K2K has 616 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 613 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 1,187 ft to 1,638 ft.
        ▼ How long is K2K?
        K2K is 5.2 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.

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