Waiheke has over 100 walkways and lookouts scattered over the island. Walkways connect to dead end roads or high level accesses down to nearby beaches, or to remote locations that would otherwise be only accessible by boat.
Waiheke walkways are man made and maintained. Normally made of gravel, dirt or grass. Many are surrounded by trees or open to the elements. They are also full of steps or tree roots, there isn’t a walkway the same. At Yheke, our goal is to walk all of them and take a 360 degree video of each one. This way you can know what to expect and see if the walkway is ok for your skill and fitness level.
Below we will list a few of our favourite walkways in each location of Waiheke. Many of these walkways lead to lookouts, but generally you have to walk a small distance to get to some of the top lookouts on Waiheke.
Fourth Ave – Pah Road Walkway
Makora to Esplanade Walkway
Makora To Kiwi Walkway
Jacobs Ladder Walkway
Otakawhe to Pearl Bay Walkway
Wharf Road Upper Walkway
Oneroa
Oneroa has a few main walkways that visitors and locals frequently use, ranging from short beach strolls to multi-hour coastal hikes.
Matietie walk
The Matietie walk is a 55 minute walk that starts at Matiatia Bay. It has a great variety of coastal sections, native bush, grassy sections and it passes a number of private properties of Delamore Drive gated community. The Matietie walk is slightly shorter than the “Mokemoke Pā Walk” which is longer and a more challenging option. The track is not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs as there are some steps. The Matietie walk comes out by Delamore Drive but to get back to the main township, you will need walk back to Oneroa via Delamore Drive with limited shade. So have plenty of water and correct walking shoes.
Matiatia Headland Path
Matiatia Headland Path is a close favourite, located on the carpark side of Matiatia Bay on the Atawhai-Whenua Reserve. This coastal walk has a beautiful backdrop of Matiatia Bay. This walking track has three tracks offering walks that take between 10 and 15 minutes each or enjoy a 45 minute walk that ends up at Nick Johnstone Drive, then a 45min walk back to the fullers boat on the roads. Every second year around February the walking track/reserve is filled with beautiful handmade sculptures and visitors coming far and wide to view them.
Mokemoke Pā Walk
The Mokemoke Pā Walk is a 2 hour walk that is on a elevated coastal path that can only be accessed during medium or low tide. It’s a scenic route that starts at Matiatia and tracks around the coast to Cable Bay and Owhanake Bay, and ends at Oneroa village. This stunning coastal walk is a longer and a more challenging option then the Matietie walk. It is a narrow dirt track, with grassy sections, lots of ups and downs, and many steps. The track passes the historic Mokemoke Pā site along with private properties and quiet bays and coves around the coast.
Palm Beach
Palm Beach has a few small walking tracks that mainly are used for reaching higher road accesses.
Miro Road to Cory Road Walkway (Palm Beach Lookout)
The route is two loops, so you can choose to do only half if you run out of time or energy. Start at Palm Beach Hall, next to the Red Shed art gallery, head up the dead end road Miro Road. There is a shady bush walkway leading up to Cory Road. Turn right into Cory Road and continue to the lookout over Palm Beach.
Walkway to Little Palm Beach (Nudie Bay)
On Cory Road there is a track leading down towards the far end of Little Palm Beach also known as “Nudie Bay”. This is one of the only beaches visitors and locals can swim and sunbathe nude. At the bottom of the walkway turn right to go along the beach, and make your way around the rocks to the main part of Palm Beach.
Matapana Road Track
At the Eastern end of Palm Beach, There are steps in amongst the big palm trees leading to Matapana Road. At the end of your climb, turn left to go around in a loop on Matapana Road, Walk back down to Hill Road – turn right and go down back to the café, shop and beach.
Ostend
Wharf Road Walkway
On the main road of Wharf Road there is a small cut through path that exits out from Wilma Road. The Path has a concrete bridge and comfortable walking conditions.
Te Toki Reserve Loop
This track starts and finishes by the Wharf Rd/Belgium St corner, just 200m away from Countdown and the central shopping area of the island. The start of the track is surrounded by the Waiheke wetlands and the native plants Oi Oi, Raupo and Toi Toi. Exiting out by Te Toki Road. There is a small grass reserve and another small bush track. This track will lead you to Te Toki Reserve a massive open field which is home to Waihekes 600 year old Pohutukawa tree. This Reserve is a perfect spot for a picnic and letting dogs run off the leash. The Reserve can also be entered and exited via Wilma Road.
Putiki Reserve Loop Track (Shelly Beach and Putiki Bay Lookout)
This track can be entered via Putiki Reserve at the end of Shelly Beach Road. It is located behind the public toilets. Track is a hilly dirt terrain surrounded by gorse and views of Shelly Beach and Putiki Bay.
Onetangi
Onetangi has many walkways that lead you down to the beach from high level access.
Jacobs Ladder Walkway
Jacobs Ladder Walkway has some great views of the beach and is a nice walkway to walk down. But can be a tough walk to go up. Due to the many flights of steps.
Fourth Ave – Pah Road Walkway
Fourth Ave – Pah Road Walkway is just down the road from the Jacobs ladder walkway. It is a nice comfortable sheltered walkway exiting out at Tin Boat Reserve.
Rangihoa Reserve/ Maori Hill
Rangihoa Reserve also known as “Maori Hill” is a steep but rewarding walk. The walk scales up a tall hill with 360 views of the island and Putiki Bay.
