Bluff Hill lookout is a lovely place to walk to on a sunny day in Napier

You can start this walk from the middle of town near the iSite or the very interesting National Aquarium. However, my walk started right outside the day spa and massage centre. The start of this walk is a bit of a grunt straight up quite a few steps, then through skinny laneways zigzaging your way up the hill. Enjoy walking past super cute victorian houses perched on the hillside. I thought we’d get to the top with the first lot of steps, however we then walked downhill only to walk back up again. It’s a good workout.

Quick facts about this walk

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Full walk description

If you really want to go to Bluff Hill lookout and cannot walk, it’s no problem, you can drive there. The car park is quite big and there are even toilets.

Here’s how to get to the Bluff Hill Lookout and enjoy the awesome views:

  • Start at the Ocean Spa pool complex.
  • Cross Marine Parade and take the Seaview Terrace steps.
  • Turn right onto Brewster Street. Look for the path zigzagging uphill to reach Clyde Road.
  • Continue uphill onto Gladstone Road. Take the steps to the right after the left-hand dogleg.
  • Turn right onto Coote Road and then Thompson Road.
  • Keep the water tower and storage tanks to your left, then turn right onto Lighthouse Road.
  • Follow the road to the lookout. 
  • Take a short walk into the Reserve and you’ll find steps and a path leading right up the hill to the Bluff Hill Lookout.

Enjoy Hawke Bay, Napier port, and Cape Kidnappers’ panoramic views!

To complete the loop and return to the start:

  • Walk back down to Karetoki Whare Reserve and turn right when the path levels off.
  • The reserve exits at Hornsey Road, leading down to the port.
  • Turn right onto Breakwater Road and follow it back to the Ocean Spa pool complex.

Map location and track

My 3d video of the walk

See my photos of the Bluff Hill Loop Walk

See more of my walks in Napier