Mount Maunganui Summit Walk
Mount Maunganui Summit Walk
Your Nature Guide
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
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!
Maps
Photos
Information
Mount Maunganui (Mauao in Maori) is an iconic New Zealand walk with two options. Round the mountain or up to the summit.
The 232-metre-high rhyolite dome was erupted around 4 million years ago. Since it lies in isolation from any other high ground, it commands spectacular views to distant horizons. The walk’s views are an eclectic mix of urban and natural. The developed resort behind Mount Maunganui Beach, the industrial areas and port of Tauranga, the estuary and city, Matakana Island and wide open ocean all appear as you complete the walk. The atmosphere changes noticeably according to your outlook.
Access
From behind the campground at the north-western end of Marine Parade on the beach side of the town
For the 4WD track, from the northern end of Pilot Bay, on the estuary side of Mount Maunganui.
Track
A network of tracks weaves and cris-crosses the Mount to the summit. All are steep. Familiarise yourself with the track layout on the noticeboards at the start of the tracks, as navigation can sometimes be confusing.
The easiest and quickest route is to follow the 4WD track from the northern end of Pilot Bay (45 minutes one-way). This is wide and metalled.
The Oruahire Track departs from the north-western end of Mount Maunganui Beach and climbs via the historic stone steps across pasture. After approximately 15 minutes there is an option to turn left along the Waikorere Track (20 minutes one-way to the summit), or continue right along the Oruahire Track (30 minutes one-way to the summit). The Oruahire track joins the 4WD track on the north-western side of the Mount.
A signpost to the Waikorere Track below the summit climbs steeply on a stepped, but uneven track to the summit.
You can also join the Oruahire Track from an access track which climbs from the Base Track near North-West Rock.
Geology
An estimated 180 million tonnes of water flow through the Tauranga Entrance of Tauranga Harbour each tide, at the base of Mount Maunganui.
Polynesian History
According to one Maori legend, there were once three hills at the foot of the Kaimai Range. The beautiful Puwhenua was in love with Otanewainuku, a mighty hill nearby. The third hill, who was nameless, was also stricken by Puwhenua’s beauty, but was rejected by her because he was nameless.
In despair, he asked the patupaiarehe (mystical bush fairies) to cast him to sea. Working under cover of darkness, the patupaiarehe dragged him to the coast, forming the Waimapu Valley and Te Awanui (Tauranga Harbour).
At first light, the patupaiarehe had to abandon the hill alone in his final resting place. Through the ordeal he was named ‘Mauao’, which means ‘trapped by the light’.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Mt Maunganui |
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Categories |
Contact
EmailDirect
Reviews
Showing 13 reviews of 79.
JjLockwood
Ranking: 10/10
Beautiful walk. Do the longest and most challenging one and you will not regret it. Views are outstanding and jump in the sea when you’re done. Did this in winter and loved it
Mike Fricker
Ranking: 10/10
18Sept18. Enjoyed the walk in spite of a little rain. The views from the top were a bit limited due to the trees etc. Hopefully they will not be allowed to grow too much more.
A good gelato shop when we got back down.
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Clementine
Ranking: 8/10
It is a beautiful walk, it is easy and you can see a seal. Tauranga is a very attractive city. It is a good place.
Micha Kuster
Ranking: 7/10
We have been there for the sunrise!! It was very interesting because of the contrasts. You sit there in the middle of the nature and look down to the town...... crazy contrast, we never had before.
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Gauthier Dournean
Ranking: 9/10
I walked for 6km for a very beautiful view.
MARK CURPHEY
Ranking: 10/10
Best done first thing in the morning. The tough 45 minute walk is worth the views.
Rachel Ram
Ranking: 8/10
Pretty easy hike up to the top of Mt Maunganui, an hour up and down with lots of stunning views all the way up and down. It was a beautiful sunny day and loved sitting at the top watching the surfers and paragliders look like specks in the distance.
Thank You - to the thousands of travellers that have contributed to our Top Voted NZ Activities Map - it's free from Rankers.
Katja Manz
Ranking: 8/10
Pretty nice view over the city/beach/seaside/nice houses, nice people, you can watch surfers, beautiful nature.
Eva Neumann
Ranking: 7/10
The walk was not very hard and the view over the beach and the little city were similar to the scenery 'Miami Beach'.
Alberto
Ranking: 7/10
Easy walk to the top of the hill. Good view, perfect spot for a beer with a friend during the sunset.
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Camila Capel
Ranking: 10/10
Great walk, amazing scenery, summit is the way to go.
Heike Schreiber
Ranking: 7/10
Quick hike up to a mountain with a great view to Mt Maunganui and the Bay of Plenty. If you are sporty enough, take your running shoes and join all the other runners to the top - good exercise!!
Kathanina Jasik
Ranking: 8/10
Beautiful views, not too exhausting, you can see the whole city.
DOC Managed
Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍
