Walking Tracks

Getting out for a walk is one of the best and easiest ways for you to get active. Hawke's Bay has a great range of terrains and scenery to enjoy, so check out some of the suggestions below and get your walking shoes on!

Napier tracks
Hastings tracks

Napier walks

Rotary Pathway: Marine Parade - Awatoto

The options are unlimited for this coastline walk from Marine Parade to Awatoto. Begin from the Information Centre on Marine Parade or park the car at some other point, perhaps the former Seahorse Farm at Awatoto, and enjoy an out-and-back walk to fit your timeframe. Take in the invigorating sea breeze and spectacular views from Cape Kidnappers to Mahia Peninsula as you walk along the Hawke’s Bay coastline. With distance to suite, this walk is suitable for all levels of fitness.

Distance: 8 km (one way) / 16 km (return)

Time Duration: 1.5 hours one way, 3 hours return

Click to view Marine Parade - Awatoto Rotary Pathway Map in PDF format

Rotary Pathway: EIT - Guppy Road

A unique riverbank stroll with the soothing flow of the Tutaekuri as company. A relatively secluded walk along the top of the river stop-bank from where you will have pleasant views of the plains and residential Taradale. Begin this dirt track walk from the fence line facing the Pettigrew Green Arena opposite the EIT on Gloucester St. At 2.6km return, it will not take too much time out of your day.

Distance: 1.3 km (one way) / 2.6km (return)

Time Duration: 60 minutes

Safety Note: Slippery when wet; Unlevel ground; Dirt track.

Click to view EIT – Guppy Road Rotary Pathway Map in PDF format

Rotary Pathway: Chesterhope - Hohepa Home

A delightful country walk taking in scenic views of orchards and surrounding cattle pastures. From the Pakowhai Country Park, stroll along side the Ngaruroro River stop-bank and head for the coast. The 6km route will take you to the car park on the opposite side of State Highway 2 from Hohepa Home.

Distance: 6 km (one way) / 12 km (return)

Time Duration: 1.5 hours (one way) / 3 hours (return)

Click to view Chesterhope – Hohepa Home Rotary Pathway Map in PDF format

Rotary Pathway: Westshore - Bayview

Take in a plethora of interesting sights on this walk from The Esplanade, Westshore. Heading for the coastal settlement of Bay View, you have the busy State Highway 2 and Napier Airport on one side and ocean views from the Port of Napier around to Whirinaki Beach on the other. A flat pathway presents easy walking and a pleasant stroll at any time of the day.

Distance: 1.7 km (one way) / 3.4 km (return)

Time Duration:

Click to view Westshore – Bayview Rotary Pathway Map in PDF format

Park Island Walks

The Park Island Recreation Reserve presents a variety of circular walks of various lengths. The map indicates the walks all interlink and overlap, allowing for a variety of starting points and lengths. An added attraction for the more physically active is a fitness trail with exercise stations.

Shrimpton Walk

From Shrimpton Field car park, cross the footbridge and head towards the Western Hills Cemetery. Turn right and skirt the hill until you reach the north west boundary, turn right again and pass to the left of the hedged perimeter of Tremain Field. At the far corner of Tremain Field turn right and follow the Saltwater Creek to Clyde Jeffrey Drive. Another right and follow the footpath back.

Distance: 1.7km

Time Duration: 30 minutes

Round the Islands Walk

Cross the footbridge from Shrimpton Field car park and follow the path to the foot of the hill. Climb the track to the top and turn right. The track winds along the tree clad hillside offering views across the playing fields. Emerge from the trees and follow the arc around the grassy valley before curving and entering another tree belt. Descend the steps at the end of the track and turn left where you will follow a line of clay and limestone cliffs. Before the 1931 earthquake, there was a shell littered beach here and it was possible to sail across the Inner Harbour from Napier for picnics along this shoreline. Crossing the end of the valley, the track continues until you come to the Taipo Stream where you keep left along the stream side. After crossing a small clearing, the track is confined between a steep bank and the stream. At the end of the section, climb the stile and follow the left hand side of the paddock to another stile and onto Park Island Cemetery Road. Turn right and follow the Cemetery Road to the junction with Cato Road and Clyde Jeffrey Drive. Continue along Clyde Jeffrey Drive and turn left up the access road to Western Hills Cemetery. The walking track branches off 50 metres on the right and climbs up along the hillside, curving around to emerge on a flat area which was once a quarry. The route comes full circle at the top of the steps and the track leads back to the carpark.

Distance: 2.6km

Time Duration: 35 minutes

Wharerangi Walk

Again from Shrimpton Field car park, follow the footpath along Clyde Jeffrey Drive around the end of Park Island. Cross over at the junction of Cato Road and follow Cato Road to the sign indicating the entrance to Wharerangi Cemetery. Keep the cemetery on your left, cross the stile in the fence and follow the track along the base of the hill. The track starts to climb up the hillside bearing left. The path follows the boundary of the lower cemetery and emerges on the edge of the burial area. Carry on up and over the hill with the boundary fence on your right until you reach Fryer Road which you cross before turning left and following the footpath as far as the top entrance to Wharerangi Cemetery. Cross back to the right hand side of the cemetery entrance and take the track down the old paper road which winds down around the tree clad gullies on the south west side of the cemetery. The track leads out to open grass area with a meandering stream at which point you return Cato Road, turn right and follow the road back to the start

Distance: 2km

Time Duration: 30 minutes

Click to view Park Island Map in PDF format

Ahuriri Estuary

Absorb a touch of Napier’s land reclamation history as you negotiate the scenic circumference of the Ahuriri Estuary. Park in safe surroundings at the Humber St car park, left off Pandora Road before the Westshore Bridge, and pick up the winding circular track (marked in red on the map) which will take you past plantings of Ngaio, Karaka and Eucalyptus (Gums). The embankment the culvert passes through marks the perimeter of several land reclamations undertaken by the Napier Harbour Board between the great 1931 earthquake and 1989.

Distance: 3.8km

Time Duration: 45 - 60 minutes

Safety Note: Semi dirt and concrete track. Stick to the track and refrain from interfering with livestock or fences. Note the rough ground marked on the map.

Click to view the Ahuriri Estuary Map in PDF format

Anderson Park Circuit

Enjoy this easy circular stroll around Anderson Park, a peaceful setting amidst the hustle-and-bustle of traffic between Napier and Taradale. Start at any point on the circuit although ample car parking is available off Kennedy and Auckland Roads. Take in the ponds, wildlife and plantings as you meander around the suburban green of Anderson Park. Follow the concrete path until it merges with the footpath on Freyberg Ave and continue along the roadside until rejoining the park path to head back to your chosen starting point.

Distance: 2.5km

Time Duration: 30 minutes

Note: Save some lunch – feeding the ducks is a popular pastime in this park.

Click to view Anderson Park Circuit Map in PDF format

Mataruahou (Napier Hill) Walks

Experience the unique features of “The Hill” on a variety of walks which you will find both interesting and challenging. Start opposite Ocean Spa on Marine Parade where you will negotiate the stairs beside Te Pania Hotel, heading up to Brewster St:

Mataruahou (Bluff Hill Walk) (pink line on map): Take the path to Clyde Rd, continue up to Gladstone Rd and on to Childers Ave. Then take the stairs beside Napier Girls High School, across Coote Rd and up to Thompson Rd. At the top of the hill, turn left into Lighthouse Rd and walk into Sturm’s Gully. From here, you have the choice of two pathways. Venture up to Bluff Hill and enjoy the views across the Port of Napier out to Mahia Pensinsula or cross the grass slope and walk the pathway to Hornsey Rd and down onto Breakwater Rd which will lead you past the Port and back to the start.

Distance: 4.4km

Time Duration: 60 minutes

Safety Note: Hilly terrain.

Round the Hill (blue line on map): For a longer but flat stroll, start opposite Ocean Spa on Marine Parade and circumnavigate the base of Napier’s iconic hill landmark. This easy walk takes in both stunning sea and Art Deco city scenery and gives walkers a real glimpse of the heart of Napier.

Distance: 7.3km

Time Duration: 1hr – 1.5hr

Click to view Bluff Hill map in PDF format

Greenmeadows East Walk

From the junction of Taradale Road and Kennedy Road take the footpath across the Clement Place Reserve, and continue along the walkway linking to Atherfold Crescent. Follow the footpath south along Atherfold Crescent. Turn right at Harris Street and enter the Greenmeadows Walkway Reserve winding along behind the houses. This green corridor follows the course of the old Tannery Drain which dried up after leaking artesian bores sunk by the tannery over many years were plugged. At the first intersection path you may take an alternative route to the left across Haskell Place and a string of small reserves to Lannie Place, cross Kennedy Road to Anderson Park to join the Anderson Park Circuit. Otherwise, following the Tannery Drain path will bring you back to Clement Place Reserve, where the tannery was located.

Distance: 2.2km (Greenmeadows East walk only)

Time Duration: 20 minutes (1 hr with Anderson Park circuit).

Click to view Greenmeadow East Map in PDF format

Marewa Meander

A stroll which is essentially rectangular in shape and can be broken into several smaller circuits. Start from the pergola over-looking the creek by the Kennedy Road/Douglas McLean Avenue crossing. Face east, walk to the corner, turn left onto Kennedy Road, cross the creek and left turn again on Georges Drive. Follow the footpath leading off to the left along Alexander Park. The path winds through trees and open spaces parallel with the creek. At Taradale Road join the footpath until you reach Riverbend Road Reserve. Cross the roads in between and continue to rejoin and follow the reserve paths.

The route continues to join up with Te Awa Park, turn left at the end and follow the path along Chambers Street. You are now walking along the old course of the Tutaekuri River. Cross Nuffield Avenue, and follow the open creek (all that remains of the river system), keeping to the right bank. The right side is higher than the left bank; this is because this was an embankment raised across the lagoon in 1904 as part of the reclamation of Napier South. At Latham Street, cross over and carry on along the left bank to the starting point.

Distance: 6.7kms

Time duration: 1 hr – 1.5 hr

Click to view Marewa Meander Map in PDF format

Tamatea Circuit

Start on the corner of York and Westminster Avenues, walking along Westminster Avenue and crossing Tamatea Drive to the Purimu Drain Reserve. Follow the Reserve south to the intersection with Taradale Road. Cross here to the east side of the Purimu Drain, head down the steps and follow the eastern bank of the drain to Kennedy Road. Cross Kennedy Road and take the west bank of the drain reserve beside Hamlin Place and Atherfold Crescent as far as the public footpath between Nos 40 and 42A Atherfold Crescent. Follow the footpath through, crossing Tait Drive, Clement Place and Kennedy Road to Anderson Park. The Anderson Park footpath passes along the north side of the lake and turns off to meet Freyberg Avenue. Continue west along Freyberg Avenue to the far corner of the park and turn left.

Distance: 6.6kms

Time Duration: 1hours

Click to view Tamatea Circuit Map in PDF format

Hastings walks

(more Hastings walks to come on this page)

Flaxmere Street walks

All seven Flaxmere street walks start from the hub of the village centre, the Flaxmere Shopping Centre entrance opposite Henderson Road. Flaxmere Village has a real community feel with a number of services, schools, churches and community organisations present within its boundaries. It is also an area of high cultural diversity and this mixture of cultural and ethnic influence on traditional small town New Zealand will be evident as you wander throughout the village. The walks of varying lengths (clearly colour-coded on the map) cover most of central Flaxmere and include the green belts of Flaxmere Park and the Flaxmere College and Intermediate schools.

Distance: 1.0km to 2.6km

Time Duration: 45 minutes

Click to view Flaxmere Street Map in PDF format

Pakowhai Country Park

Pakowhai Country Park lies astride the Raupare Stream which occupies part of the former Ngaruroro River bed. This walk features a collection of trees on the south side and a commercial forest to the north and is suitable for walkers of all levels of fitness.

Distance: 3km

Time Duration: 45 minutes

Safety Note: Slippery when wet.

Click to view Pakowhai Country Park Map in PDF format