Waiheke has over 100 walkways and lookouts scattered over the island. Some of these walkways connect to dead end roads or high level accesses down to nearby beaches. Some connect to remote locations that would otherwise be only accessible by boat such as Pearl Bay for example.
Waiheke walkways are man made and maintained. Normally made with gravel or dirt, with some being 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 just 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.
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
Onetangi
Onetangi has many walkways that lead you down to the beach from high level access. 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. Another nice walkway in Onetangi is Fourth Ave – Pah Road Walkway, this is just down the road from the Jacobs ladder walkway, but gives you a less step walk though the bush and comes out by Tin Boat Reserve.