Best walks in and around Napier
The best walks near Napier are Bluff Hill Lookout in town, Waipatiki Beach and Lake Tutira on the coast and hills to the north, and White Pine Bush for an easy bush loop. Only Bluff Hill starts in town. The other three are 25 to 40 minutes’ drive north on State Highway 2.
I’ve walked all of these. Each guide has the route, parking, toilets, dog rules and my own photos.
Napier walks at a glance
Here’s how the Napier walks compare on distance, time and difficulty.
| Walk | Distance | Time | Difficulty | Dogs | Drive from Napier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluff Hill Lookout Loop | 4.4 km loop | 1 hr 20 min | Easy to moderate, lots of steps | On a lead | Starts in town |
| White Pine Bush Reserve | 1.4 km loop | 30 min | Very easy, wheelchair friendly | No | 25 min |
| Waipatiki Beach Coastal Walk | 6.6 km return | 2 to 3 hrs | Moderate, exposed cliff top | No (beach on a lead) | 40 min |
| Peras Walk, Lake Tutira | 4.8 km loop | 2 hr 15 min | Moderate, steep farm climb | No | 40 min |
Bluff Hill Lookout Loop Walk
Peras Walk – Lake Tutira
Waipatiki Beach Coastal Walk
White Pine Bush Reserve Walkway
How to get to Napier walks
You can walk to Bluff Hill from town, but you need a car for the other three. There are no buses out to Waipatiki, Lake Tutira or White Pine Bush.
Bluff Hill starts at the Ocean Spa on Marine Parade. For the others, head north on SH2 past the airport. White Pine Bush is about 27 km out, Waipatiki is off Tangoio Road, and Lake Tutira is further north past Tangoio Forest.
There’s no shop at Waipatiki or Lake Tutira, and no mobile coverage at White Pine Bush or Lake Tutira. Take food and water and tell someone where you’re going.
Best time to walk in Napier
Napier walks are good year round, but go early in summer. Waipatiki’s cliff track has no shade at all and gets hot fast.
Peras Walk crosses working farmland, so avoid it after heavy rain when the cattle tracks turn to mud. DOC also closes the connecting Tutira Walkway for lambing from 1 August to 30 September. At White Pine Bush, watch for stinging nettle in spring and summer. Bluff Hill is fine any day, it’s all sealed paths and steps.
Walks near Napier
Te Urewera is the other walking area in Hawke’s Bay, with Lake Waikaremoana and big bush walks about 2.5 hours north. Gisborne and Taupo are both within a few hours’ drive.