NEAR: WAIKATO, AUCKLAND & THE COROMANDEL

Check out my 12 favourite walks below, and, to uncover more of the hidden Gems NZ has to offer, head to the Outdoor Kid website & grab your very own Guide Book! Feel free to my code "CHARLY" at the checkout too, for a small discount on any purchase :)

Near Waikato

1. Wairere Falls, Matamata

TIME: 1-1.5 hrs to the top | INTENSITY: Med-High | CLIMB: Gradual 

Cross a few bridges over the lower falls to start, then throughout the climb you’ll be navigating over tree-roots and up a track that’s carved out of the hillside. Beautiful Wairere is the best type of raw nature walk, so be sure to take some quality shoes, snacks, water, and maybe leave around mid-morning so you can trek up and spend time appreciating your efforts at the top.

Pick a nice day, otherwise the splash back conditions at the top won’t be in your favour.. 🙊 But once there, don’t bother with the busy viewing platform if you don’t mind getting your feet wet ... Take off your shoes and socks, then carefully walk across the waterfall until you reach the other side. Climb over a few rocks, and you’ll find my personal favourite view point (in this photo).

On the way down, jump into one of the icy water holes to refresh. And, if it's a hot day don’t worry if you forgot a towel, you’ll be dry by the time you reach the car park!

2. Hakarimata Summit Trail, Ngaruawahia

TIME: 25-40 mins to lookout if you're fit | INTENSITY: High | CLIMB: Steep

Probably the most well known fitness trail in the Waikato, I don’t know of any other track even close to the vibe of this one! 🌿👣 The motivation, encouragement and general energy of the people climbing these steps day in and day out, is always so positive and uplifting! No matter your shape, size or fitness level, everyone sweating out this intense track is there with goals, journeys and stories.

Most of us walk, but occasionally you'll get the odd runner and wonder how that is even humanly possible... 👏 This track begins with a nice flat bush walk over a stream, then hits you with 1349 steps upwards. If you haven’t conquered this walk yet, definitely put it on your goal list for 2020. It’s definitely a mission, but fresh air, a good sweat and a view never left anyone feeling worse. 😜

3. Mount Maunganui Summit, Tauranga 

TIME: Around 20-30 mins to the lookout if you're fit | INTENSITY: Med | CLIMB: Steep in places, but mostly Gradual. 

One of New Zealand's most famous walks - in a town with some of the best NZ beach vibes. You can walk around the bottom, but if you're well & able surely aim to hit the summit at least once while in Tauranga!

The very beginning of the Mount is the hardest in my opinion, with a bunch of steps then a pretty consistent hill which brings you through a gate and to a fork where you can choose the gradual route, or the stairs. Of course, the stairs are always faster.. And they really aren't too bad compared if you've conquered the Hakarimata‘s!

Once at the top there are quite a few viewpoints/photo spots, overlooking the ocean and/or the town of Mount Maunganui. This rock is my personal favourite - with a 180 view of the ocean stretching out, as well as the city.

4. Blue Springs, Putaruru

TIME: Depends how far you want to go, but around 20-30 mins flat walk to the end of the pure blue water. To the actual end, it's around 1.5 hrs. | INTENSITY: Easy

We are no longer allowed to swim in this crystal clear spring, as humans were unfortunately interrupting the natural plant life. But, in preserving it's beauty it remains beautiful enough to attract many tourists just wanting a look, while being as clear as ever. Heading there midday when the sun is shining directly above the spring, makes the water appear unlike no other, and if you want a peaceful walk try to get there mid-week or in off-season, as during Summer it can get pretty busy. 

5. Bridal Veil Falls, Raglan

TIME: 15-25 mins to the waterfall base | INTENSITY: Med | CLIMB: Steep for about 5 mins coming back up from the Waterfall base, then flat to the car park.

This is the one waterfall I have never thought about swimming at, as it is pretty well fenced off, and because the walk is flat and then down-hill the entire way to the base - it's not overly strenuous on a hot summer's day either. The climb back up the stairs has been known to cause about 5 minutes of pain if you aren't a cardio . fan, but it is totally worth seeing this beauty from all angles. And, even if you don't end up heading to the bottom, the view from the top is still epic. #gramworthy

Near Auckland

6. Te Henga Walkway, Bethells/Muriwai

TIME: Around 3 hours from end to end. Maybe 1.5 - 2 hours to the point in this picture. | INTENSITY: Low-Med | CLIMB: Gradual, Mixed. 

Honestly, the views from this walk... The photo doesn't do it the slightest bit of justice. That little piece of earth jotting out from the beach in the below photo - This walk takes you past it, and on a sunny day the water surrounding is the bluest I have ever seen on the West Coast! 

The bridge from Bethells beach end has now been re-built after it collapsed from bad weather, but you can also access the track if you head down the beach at low tide, otherwise heading in from the Muriwai end is another option. Sometimes there is a cute little food trailer behind the sand dunes at Bethells though (a further drive past the walks entrance) - and who doesn't love a food trailer? #perks  

7. Kitekite Falls, Piha

TIME: Around 35-45 mins to the waterfall base, another 20-30 minutes to the waterfalls top (pictured) | INTENSITY: Low-Med | CLIMB: Gradual.

Recently reopened, this walk was one of many that NZ councils closed due to the Kauri Dieback nature disease. Now that it has reopened though, we are able to explore this beautiful scene again, but need to be careful to clean our shoes at the provided water stations before entering. Make sure to take your togs for a cold swim whether you just head to the waterfall base or to the top. In regards to the walk itself, the path to the base the track is relatively casual, but to the top it does get a little bit more intense and can be slippery so do take reliable footwear!

8. Mercer Bay Loop, Piha

TIME: 1-1.5 hrs round trip depending on how many photo stops you have 😜 | INTENSITY: Low-Med | CLIMB: Majority flat walk, with the occasional hill.

The West Coast is so underrated - Yes the weather is unpredictable and you never know how many layers to pack then you end up taking them on and off 2439 times because you get hot and cold 12 times in 5 minutes. But, the views... With the rugged coastlines and the ocean, how can you not love it? There are a bunch of different pathways to explore in this Loop track - but when we do it we tend to end up coming back the same way we came because we spend so long at the different views eating snacks and taking it all in (but mainly just eating snacks). 

9. Mangawhai Cliff Walk, Mangawhai Heads

TIME: Around 2-3 hours if you do the whole loop | INTENSITY: Medium | CLIMB: Steep at first, then Mixed, Gradual.

Park up, take in the first view, then head left along the beach for 10-15 mins and look out for the walks entrance (sign-posted). The entrance marks the first steep climb of the walk, and after that the views just keep coming and coming. If you work in with the tides you can cliff walk to the end and walk the beach all the way back, otherwise it would never hurt to see the cliff walk scenes from another angle on the way back! If you do take the beach route back however, there are a few epic sand-dune points to sit and have a snack. Sliding down them never hurt either...

10. Mount Eden/Maungawhau, Auckland Central

TIME: 10-15 mins to the top | INTENSITY: Short & Sharp | CLIMB: Gradual

If you're in Auckland, want some exercise, but don't have the time or transport to head out to the beaches, why head up the Sky Towerr when you can stand in one spot and get a 360 degree view of Auckland, fresh air, and a bit of exercise?

You used to be able to drive up to the top of this hill, but a while ago they closed the gates due to safety concerns. So now if you order pizza and want a view, you have to earn it - and the faster you go the less cold your pizza gets..

Near Coromandel 

11. Cathedral Cove, Hahei

TIME: 30 mins to the Cove | INTENSITY: Low-Med | CLIMB: Mixed

Some of us have been doing this every Summer since we were kids, but it never gets any less beautiful. In the peak season, Park & Ride on the bus from Hahei, then you won't have to walk up an extra hill - unless you drive up first and are lucky enough to find a carpark at the top!

You can't get to this beautiful beach by car, only by water or via the walk - which I personally tend to do quite comfortably in jandals (once I passed someone doing it in high-heels and until this day I still wonder if I saw correctly). There is not much shade at all on the walk itself, so make sure to take sun cream, and not many people know this but there is actually a Long-Drop Toilet hidden behind some big trees when you are at the Cove!  So, no need to drop a squat in the bushes and hope no one sees if you want to spend a day on the white sandy beaches. 🙊

12. New Chums Beach Viewpoint, Whangapoua

TIME: 20-30 mins of a pretty flat (but rocky) walk to the beach | INTENSITY: Low (Add 10-20 mins onto this time if you want to climb to the view point & chill.)

The viewpoint isn't sign posted, but if you're up for an adventure you do not want to miss the breathtaking view! On the way to the beach, as you start to turn the corner you'll come across a little rugged path that doesn't look like much. But, if you take the turn, you'll need to get your hands dirty grabbing onto rocks and trees as you climb upward away from the main track.

Keep the tides in mind if you decide to do this walk (whether you head up to the view or not), because the beginning involves clambering around many stones to get to the tracks starting point. I did it in jandals, but I would advise you take some good footwear as jandals for this particular adventure definitely wasn't the best idea I've ever had... 

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I'd love to know if this blog took you somewhere you didn't know about before, so feel free to message me over at @charly_harris on Insta!