Hikes and Walks in Hawke’s Bay
From the Art Deco streets of Napier to the wilderness walks around Lake Waikaremoana, it’s amazing the contrasts you’ll see in the Hawke’s Bay region on just your two feet.
Te Urewera Park offers one of New Zealand’s Great Walks around Lake Waikaremoana, amongst more than 20 other walking tracks in the conservation park with towering waterfalls and strange birdlife.
On Hawke’s Bay’s coastline, you can take in epic views across the water while trawling to numerous beaches. We also can’t go without mentioning the most popular peak in the region, Te Mata Peak. The natural attraction draws hikers, mountain bikers and drivers alike.
Make sure to read up on some more awesome bike trails in the region in Mountain Biking in Hawke’s Bay.
There’s a lot of history to be found in the North Island region too. Multiple hikes cross ancient Māori pa sites, which were once fortified living areas for New Zealand’s early settlers.
So take a look at the list below to find the perfect places to stretch your legs in the sunny region of Hawke’s Bay.
Table of Contents
1. Lake Waikaremoana
Unique, challenging and truly mind-blowing, the Lake Waikaremoana Track has earned its spot amongst the prestigious New Zealand’s 9 Great Walks. This backcountry trail offers an off-the-beaten-track experience through stunning natural wilderness in Te Urewera, the homeland of Ngāi Tūhoe.
The track follows the shores of the massive lake, passing waterfalls, cliff views and native trees. One of the main staples of the hike is definitely the views from Panekire Bluff, accessible on the first day.
Interestingly, Te Urewera is recognised in New Zealand law as a living person, spoken for and governed by a board. Care for the tracks and facilities is carried out by Te Uru Taumatua, Ngāi Tūhoe’s operational entity.
Start: Base yourself in Wairoa and get a shuttle to the track or drive about 70 km (43 mi) north of Wairoa along State Highway 78 to the beginning of the track.
© NZPocketGuide.com2. Maraetotara Falls
Probably the most accessible falls in the Hastings area, it only takes 10 minutes to reach the Maraetotara Falls from the car park nearby. From the car park on Maraetotara Road, head down the wooden stairs and follow the Maraetotara Historic Walk to the base of the waterfall.
A couple of tracks surrounding the falls offer great views of the scenery through different angles and only take a good half an hour to explore. At the bottom end of the reserve, you’ll find a heritage power station.
But the most fun you’ll have is by jumping in the water on a hot summer’s day. There’s a great swimming hole at the base of the waterfall, so bring a towel if you fancy a dip. Try launching yourself from the rope hanging above if you’re brave enough.
Start: Maraetotara Road, Hastings, Hawke’s Bay, North Island.
© itravelNZ® on Flickr3. Sunrise Hut
The well-graded Sunrise Track is a great overnight option for families with children and first-time trampers. The high-quality benched track passes through changing forest types before emerging onto open tops where you’ll get superb views of the Hawke’s Bay plains below.
As the name suggests, Sunrise Hut is famous for its spectacular sunrises (the golden light is both a challenge and a blessing for photographers).
You can reach the hut in around two hours but if you’d like to stay the night, note that the 20-bunk hut operates on a first-come-first-served basis, so arrive early.
From behind the hut, which sits in a tussock basin beside the bush edge, there’s a 30-minute route up to the sub-alpine herbfields at Armstrong Saddle where you can view Mt Ruapehu on a clear day.
Start: The track starts at the end of North Block Road at the west edge of the Hawke’s Bay region. The turnoff to Waipawa Forks Hut Track is around one hour from the start.
© NZPocketGuide.com4. Kaweka Forest Park
The forest park encompasses many hikes, from the easiest like Kaweka Road to Makahu Saddle to the much harder, like the loop to “The Tits” and Rogue Ridge that includes multiple river crossings.
It is definitely one of the best playgrounds for hikers in the area and is easy to spend a couple of weeks here exploring the many hikes available.
To relax sore feet, head to the Mangatutu Hot Springs located at the campsite or, if you are keen on even more hiking, follow the track to the Magatainoka Hot Springs.
Start: A short drive northwest of Napier.
© NZPocketGuide.com5. Te Mata Peak
There are as many as five hikes in the Te Mata Park and even a road for those that lack the time or energy to get up the peak. From the bottom, even the “Giant Circuit” only takes 2 hours return, so there are no excuses here.
Te Mata Peak sits at the western edge of the wine-producing Heretaunga Plains and reaches nearly 400 m (1,312 ft) above sea level. From the summit, you’ll take in sweeping views of the Ruahine, Kaweka and Maungaharuru Ranges, plus Cape Kidnappers. On a clear day, you can even spot Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park.
The nature trails are excellent for hikers and mountain bikers alike. Other tracks in the park wind through forest and along limestone valleys, holding a great place in local Māori legends.
Start: From Havelock, take the Te Mata Road until you reach the Tauroa car park or keep on driving to get yourself to the top.
© Hawke’s Bay Tourism6. Boundary Stream Mainland Island Reserve
The reserve is home to many tracks ranging from 40 minutes return (the Tūmanako Loop Track) to five hours one way, but our favourite has to be the Kamahi Loop Track with its wide-open views on cliff edges.
The Tūmanako Loop Track is particularly great for families, taking you through varied forest types including kāmahi, tawa and beech forests that have recovered from pioneer logging. Keep your eyes and ears open for native birds like pītoitoi/North Island robin, pōpokotea/whitehead and, if you’re lucky, you might even hear a kōkako.
The Kamahi Loop Track offers a wonderful introduction to the mountain’s lush rainforest, where twisted kāmahi trunks are draped in ferns and mosses (it’s like stepping into a goblin forest). The track descends to cross bridges over rocky streams before climbing back up.
Start: From Tutira head to Pohokura road and follow the signs.
© NZPocketGuide.com7. Waipatiki Beach Walk
The walk offers a great lookout over the vast stretch of golden sand that is Waipatiki Beach. There are several tracks to explore in the area, from coastal paths with views of Māhia Peninsula and Cape Kidnappers to bush walks through nikau palms and kahikatea.
The Waipatiki Domain Walk is a gentle 40-minute return stroll through impressive nikau palm archways, where you’ll spot tui, bellbirds and fantails.
For something more challenging, the Waipatiki Scenic Reserve track climbs steeply through nikau and kahikatea groves before looping through kanuka forest (90 minutes return).
The coastal tracks head north and south from the beach along narrow, steep paths beside towering limestone cliffs over 100 m high; the southern route reaches a small bay with rock pools in 15 minutes.
While you’re in the area, there’s the 45-minute drive to the Waipapa Falls Track featuring a 5 m (16 ft) high waterfall. It is worth the two-hour loop walk found around 13 km (8 mi) down Aropaoanui Road.
Start: Drive 32 km north from Napier on SH2, turn right at the sign to Waipatiki Beach on Tangoio Road, then left onto Waipatiki Road. The walk starts just before the beach.
© Wilma Verburg on Wikipedia8. Lake Tutira
This ancient seasonal Māori settlement contains six pā site (fortified Māori village) remains scattered around the lake. Lake Tūtira sits within the 463 ha (1,144 acre) Tūtira Regional Park, which offers several walking options beyond the Pera’s Walk along the lake’s edge.
For a quick exploration, tackle the Waikopiro Loop Track (1.1 km, 20 minutes) showcasing native plants.
If you’re after something more ambitious, the Tūtira Walkway takes around five hours and climbs to the Table Mountain trig station with splendid views across the lake and hill country to the Kaweka Range. N
Note that the Tūtira Walkway closes for lambing from 1 August until 30 September.
Start: From Napier, drive 45 minutes north.
© Michael Coghlan on Flickr9. Otatara Pa Historic Reserve Walk
A pa is a fortified Māori camp where Māori tribes and warriors used to live before colonisation. Some were only seasonal settlements visited when the favourable season brought food to the area.
Otatara was the biggest pa in the area, dominating other tribes. It is a great place to explore to learn more about this fascinating civilisation.
The area also offers long stretched views from Napier to Cape Kidnappers, which is a landmark of the area.
Start: Between Napier and Hastings near Taradale.
© Noel O'Riley on Wikipedia10. Cape Kidnappers
Cape Kidnappers is home to the world’s largest mainland gannet colony, perched dramatically over the cape’s cliffs. The stunning site draws visitors from around the world to witness thousands of nesting gannets between November and February.
While the popular tractor tour gets you there comfortably, you can also reach the Plateau colony on foot (just be prepared for a bit more adventure).
The 19 km (12 mi) return walk along the beach is relatively easy, but timing is everything; you can only attempt it around low tide as high tides and rough seas will block beach access.
Start: Begin your walk from Clifton at the far end of the holiday park and check the tide times on MetService.
© NZPocketGuide.comMore About Hawke’s Bay
That’s it for our guide to the best walks in Hawke’s Bay; for more information about exploring this stunning region, check out the following articles:
- 10 Hawke’s Bay Must-Dos
- 10 Ways to Make the Most of Summer in Hawke’s Bay
- Top 10 Natural Attractions in Hawke’s Bay
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in our Comprehensive Hawke’s Bay Guides.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2025])
- Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2025])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
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