Lake · Ohakune & Tūroa

Lake Surprise

A hidden alpine tarn in the Mangaturuturu valley, reached by a wild backcountry route.

From Ohakune Mountain Road the Round the Mountain Track drops steeply beside a cascade over the Cascade lava flow into the Mangaturuturu valley, with the hut, river crossings and then a climb to this small lake in a basin of old lava. Rough, remote and beautiful, with Ruapehu’s western glaciers above.

⚠ Backcountry route with unbridged rivers; not advised after heavy rain or in snow without experience.

❄ Snow and ice on the descent and in the valley through winter; unbridged river crossings.