Cathedral Cove Walk

Cathedral Cove Walk

Cathedral Cove Walk

286 Rankers Reviews

265 Face-to-Face

3 Hahei

Your Nature Guide

Marios Gavalas's avatar

Marios Gavalas

Author And Researcher

Nau mai, haere mai

Nau mai, haere mai

I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.

I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!

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Photos

Through the arch at Cathedral Cove
The beautiful sandy beach just before Cathedral Cove

Information

Cathedral Cove Walk

5 km return | 1 hour 30 minutes return

*** CURRENTLY CLOSED***

*Cathedral Cove Walk is closed while work to reinstate walking access is underway. There is currently no walking access to Cathedral Cove as it is an active worksite. We expect the Cathedral Cove track to be open in December 2024. Until December 2024, access to Cathedral Cove is by the sea only. This includes boat tours, kayaks and water taxi.*

Amazingly beautiful, and you might even recognise Cathedral Cove from the opening scene from one of the Chronicals of Narnia movies, Prince Caspian.

The coastline around Hahei ranks as some of the most unique and interesting of the North Island. Unusual rock formations, intimate scenery and Marine Reserve-protected waters add to the enticing atmosphere around this coastline.

Foot access to Cathedral Cove starts at the top of Grange Road. Parking is at the Visitor Car Park on Pa Road (turn right just after entering Hahei)., or at the Catherdral Cove Gateway Trail Carpark on Lees Road.

During the summer months a shuttle service runs from the visitor car park on Pa Road to the start of the Cathedral Cove track. It only costs $5 return per person, $3 for a child and $10 for a family (2 adults 2 children). It is recommended that all visitors to Hahei Beach and Cathedral Cove use this car park. The top car park (Grange Road) is a pick up and drop off zone only.

Catherdral cover is Pack in Pack out, meaning there are no rubbish bins. Please be prepared to leave with all your litter.

Walking Track

Timing

At high tide, Stingray Bay is nearly submerged and to pass through the arch at Cathedral Cove will mean wet feet. Go Kiwi and take off your shoes.

Access

From Hahei shops take the signposted road to the lookout carpark.

Parking is a nightmare. If there’s nothing available at the main carpark, which is highly likely during the busy summer months, return to the beach at Hahei. Access is from a metalled coastal path that leaves from the northern end of Hahei Beach carpark (allow an extra 25 minutes each way).

Track

The path is metalled, well-maintained and comprehensively signposted. It undulates between the bays, all of which form worthwhile detours. The path through the puriri grove is unmetalled and uneven.

The walk to Cathedral Cove also has options to visit Gemstone Bay, Stingray Bay and Mare’s Leg Cove.

Toilet facilities are available near the carpark and at Mare’s Leg Cove.

There is also a magnificent lookout platform at the carpark.

Geology

Cathedral Cove is so named because of the natural rock arch joining it to Mare’s Leg Cove. Sea caves such as this are formed by the continuous erosion of waves exploiting a weakness in the rock. This process enlarges a cave on both sides of the headland until they eventually meet to form an arch. In time, this arch will collapse to form an offshore stack such as 30-metre high Te Hoho Rock at the northern end of Cathedral Cove. The present sculpture perches on a pedestal, carved by the undercutting power of the waves. It will eventually collapse to form a reef.

Much of the rock in the region was ejected by a fierce volcanic eruption around 8 million years ago. This loosely bound matrix of ash and pumice is now exploited by rain and wind to form a weathering pattern resembling honeycomb. You can see the lattice on Te Hoho Rock and the headlands. This form of honeycomb weathering is manifested by salt crystals expanding with wetting, levering apart the fine grains of the granulated ignimbrite rock. Wind then eddies around the hollow and enlarges it to form the cavity. When similar patterns emerge in close proximity, the effect produces a honeycomb lattice, hence the process’ name – honeycomb weathering.

Semi-precious stones such as jasper were found at Gemstone Bay, hence its name.

Mare’s Leg Cove was formerly dominated by a rock formation jutting out from the end of the headland. This resembled the hind leg of a mare, but collapsed due to natural causes in the 1970’s.

Flora

Because the puriri tree is forever-flowering, there will always be a carpet of pink flowers on this shortcut. These trees are thought to be 150 years old. In places their graceful, yet gnarled branches almost touch the ground.

Most of the vegetation alongside the track is regenerating scrub.

Fauna

This stretch of coastline forms part of the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve. All marine life is protected. Established in 1992, the reserve aims to help restore the rich and varied marine habitats that exist within its boundaries. Respect the information concerning restrictions posted on signs. Do not feed the fish.

The graceful form of the stingray can sometimes be seen feeding from the rocks at Stingray Bay.

Polynesian History

The many offshore islands are sacred to the local Maori, who arrived here in around 1350 A.D.

At the southern end of Hahei Beach is Hereheretaura pa, evidenced by the remains of the defensive ditch and hollows, which were used as food storage pits.

On sighting the beautiful coastline, the sail master Hei called out. He thought the outward curve of a headland on one of the offshore islands resembled the shape of his nose. The area was thus named Te-O-a-Hei, meaning the exclamation of Hei. After burial at Hereheretaura pa, his bones were removed to Tokatea (Castle Rock).

European History

The area was originally farmed by the Wigmore Family.

Feature

The magnificent lookout platform at the carpark not only offers panoramic views of greater Mercury Bay, offshore islands and Te Whanganui A Hei Marine Reserve, but provides interpretive panels introducing the region’s geology and history.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

DOC Coromandel

Central government organisation

Location

North IslandCoromandelHahei

Categories

  • Activity__walking_and_trekkingWalking
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-36.8336760574716

175.798931121826

Latitude
-36.8336760574716
Longitude
175.798931121826

Nearby

Reviews

    • Easy and enjoyable for everyone.
    • Amazing landscape.
    • Beautiful!
    • Impressive rock formation.
    • Gorgeous place with lovely beaches.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 96
    34%
    9/10 82
    29%
    8/10 71
    25%
    7/10 29
    10%
    6/10 4
    1%
    5/10 1
    0%
    4/10 1
    0%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 1
    0%
    1/10 1
    0%
  • 5.0/5

    One sentence.

    Most beautiful place on planet earth.

    Reviewed over 6 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Lovely walk with spectacular views and stunning coves.

    Very well signposted and easy tarmaced track. Quite touristy and busy carpark but if you stop off at Stingray Cove on the way it is much quieter.

    Reviewed almost 7 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    We came here in the evening and were almost alone.

    The beach is magical in the evening light. It is a nice walk through a typical forest and it was our start to almost four weeks in New Zealand.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017

  • 3.5/5

    The walk was nice, forest was pleasant but not the most exciting.

    The Cove was very cool and the beach very pretty even in rainy weather but there were way too many people to enjoy it fully.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017

  • 3.5/5

    Amazing location but too many people that you cannot enjoy it.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017

  • 4.5/5

    Amazing landscape.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017

  • 5.0/5

    Amazing place.

    You need to go early in the morning if you want to see the beach without people. You need 45 minutes to easy walk to go on the beach. It is so beautiful.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016

  • 4.0/5

    A nice white beach and beautiful landscape.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016

  • 5.0/5

    Really nice walk through a well signed path and nice arriving at the beach.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016

  • 4.5/5

    Nice walk, great beaches and a view over the ocean.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016

  • 5.0/5

    Very nice walk, easy and easy to find.

    The beach was lovely and the view great.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016

  • 2.5/5

    From the carpark at the top it is a 45 minute walk to the Cathedral Cove.

    The walk is okay. The beach is just average and the cove is a hole in the rock with too many people. Not that spectacular.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016

  • 5.0/5

    One sentence.

    Most beautiful place on planet earth.

    Reviewed over 6 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Lovely walk with spectacular views and stunning coves.

    Very well signposted and easy tarmaced track. Quite touristy and busy carpark but if you stop off at Stingray Cove on the way it is much quieter.

    Reviewed almost 7 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    The walk was nice, forest was pleasant but not the most exciting.

    The Cove was very cool and the beach very pretty even in rainy weather but there were way too many people to enjoy it fully.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017

  • 3.5/5

    Amazing location but too many people that you cannot enjoy it.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017

  • 4.5/5

    Amazing landscape.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017

  • 4.0/5

    We came here in the evening and were almost alone.

    The beach is magical in the evening light. It is a nice walk through a typical forest and it was our start to almost four weeks in New Zealand.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017

  • 5.0/5

    Amazing place.

    You need to go early in the morning if you want to see the beach without people. You need 45 minutes to easy walk to go on the beach. It is so beautiful.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016

  • 4.0/5

    A nice white beach and beautiful landscape.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016

  • 5.0/5

    Really nice walk through a well signed path and nice arriving at the beach.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016

  • 4.5/5

    Nice walk, great beaches and a view over the ocean.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016

  • 5.0/5

    Very nice walk, easy and easy to find.

    The beach was lovely and the view great.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016

  • 4.0/5

    Track and cove themselves are wonderful but when we arrived (2pm), the place was crowded with cards and people, I would choose another time to visit it next time.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful beach, walk not too exhausting, not many people if you are lucky (very few in September), nice views over the beach, impressive and unique landscape.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016

  • 5.0/5

    Great walk, very clean, nature, forest and at the end of the walk you reach the beautiful beach with the spectacular rock!

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016

  • 5.0/5

    An easy walk to one of the most impressive Coromandel highlights.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016

  • 5.0/5

    This picturesque walk was very enjoyable, with views of the pacific sea and all the bird wildlife and trees.

    The cove itself, is cavernous when the tide is low you can walk through it and when it is high you can swim through it.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

  • 3.5/5

    Lovely spot and stunning geology on the Coromandel Peninsula.

    Long (ish) walk down but well worth it!

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

  • 4.5/5

    Well signposted walk from Hahei Beach to Cathedral Cove, well maintained walkway with impressive views over the coastline.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

    GERMANY
    Ulf's avatar

    Ulf

  • 4.5/5

    Beautiful short walk (also when it is raining), great for pictures.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

    GERMANY
    Kat's avatar

    Kat

  • 4.0/5

    One a Sunday parking and paths are quite crowded.

    Very easy access to the beach, also for families with children. The view over the sea was impressive, even more than the cove itself.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

  • 3.5/5

    Nice rocks but it was a little crowded.

    Good walk with a well done track of 40 minutes.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

  • 4.5/5

    Beautiful track with an amazing end at the beach.

    Good track maintenance.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

  • 4.0/5

    Impressive rock formation.

    However, the walk there was unexpectedly long.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

  • 3.5/5

    Wonderful scenery, especially at low tide!

    But too many people around.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 5.0/5

    Enjoy your walk early in the morning!

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 4.5/5

    A beautiful place/walk/bays.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 3.5/5

    Probably a tad overrated and very difficult to get to.

    A two hour walk if not longer or water taxi are only options. Could probably view more beautiful beaches in the area for free..

    Reviewed almost 8 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    It was the first walk we did and it was hot but it was a very nice place at the beach!

    We took some nice pictures.

    Reviewed almost 8 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Beautiful rocks in the sea.

    Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in April 2016

  • 4.5/5

    One of the best views to the sea and easy to do.

    Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in April 2016