15 Incredible Day Hikes in the North Island, New Zealand

The North Island is such an incredible hiking destination, even if the South Island steals a lot of the spotlight. 

The hikes in the North Island are so varied, not to mention absolutely gorgeous. 

You can find trails featuring subtropical rainforest, waterfalls, coastal views, or volcanic peaks, and it’s all as epic as it sounds.

I was lucky enough to live in the North Island for over five years, and spent every possible weekend hitting the hiking trails. Even though I live in the South Island now, I love returning these spots whenever I get the chance.

These are my top day hikes in the North Island, ranging from short walks to longer hikes. I’ve roughly tried to organise them from north to south.

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Map of my top day hikes in the North Island

1. Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway

• 📍 Location: Mangawhai Heads, Northland | Google Maps
• 🥾 Trail stats: 9 km | ~ 2-3 hours | moderate

The Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway is a fabulous coastal walk with ocean views and beautiful trees, including nikau palms and ancient pohutukawa.

If you time your visit around low tide, you can do this walk as a loop: you’ll walk along a clifftop path, then loop back to the start along the beach (or vice versa).

Alternatively, you can walk the clifftop trail as an out-and-back.

At the turnaround point, you’ll come across some impressive rock formations, including a neat hole-in-the-rock.

If it’s a hot day, you can cool off after your hike with a swim at Mangawhai Heads Beach.

2. Kitekite Falls Path

• 📍 Location: Waitakere Ranges, Auckland Region | Google Maps
• 🥾 Trail stats:  2.7 km | ~ 1 hour | easy

The Kitekite Falls Path is a short but sweet walk that leads you through a jungly rainforest to a beautiful waterfall. 

This is one of the best easy walks in the Auckland region, in my opinion.

Once you get to Kitekite Falls, you can extend the adventure by taking the track to the top of the falls, which has a popular swimming hole.

When you’re done with your walk, stretch your legs further with a stroll along nearby Piha Beach.

3. Mercer Bay Loop Walk

• 📍 Location: Waitakere Ranges, Auckland Region | Google Maps
• 🥾 Trail stats: 2.3 km | ~ 1-1.5 hours | moderate

The Mercer Bay Loop Walk is a stunning coastal walk near Piha in the Waitakere Ranges.

This trail gives you sweeping views over the black sands of Piha Beach and the wild Tasman Sea. It has a real wow factor (I truly think I said “wow” about 50 times when I last did this walk on a gloriously sunny, calm day).

If you’re feeling energetic, it’s nice to combine this walk with the Kitekite Falls Track mentioned above (this would make for an incredible day trip from Auckland!).

4. New Chums Beach

• 📍 Location: Coromandel Peninsula | Google Maps
• 🥾 Trail stats: 5 km | ~ 1-1.5 hours | easy-moderate

To get to New Chums Beach, you’ll need to walk for about 30 minutes along a coastal trail with a beautiful nikau palm forest.  

The small effort has a big payoff, though: this is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Coromandel!

This white-sand beach is fringed in native bush, and there’s not a house or development in sight.

Pack snacks, water, a beach towel, and your swimwear, because you won’t want to leave once you get there.  

Try to time your visit around low tide for the most space at the beach, and to more easily cross the tidal stream at the start of the track.

Further reading: where to stay in the Coromandel Peninsula

5. Mautohe Cathedral Cove Track

• 📍 Location: Coromandel Peninsula | Google Maps
• 🥾 Trail stats: 5 km | 1.5 hours | moderate

Cathedral Cove is one of the most popular beaches in New Zealand—and the walk to get there is one of the best short hikes in the North Island.

This undulating path showcases some seriously epic coastal views across the Te Whanganui-o-Hei/Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve.

The trail is paved until you reach a staircase that descends to the beach. That said, don’t expect easy walking the whole way—it’s actually a bit of a workout, especially since there’s not much shade along the way.

Before you know it, though, you’ll arrive at Cathedral Cove. And what a gorgeous beach it is!

Pack snacks, water, and your swimwear if you’re keen for a dip (but please take care, as there are no lifeguards at this beach).

There’s no parking at the trailhead for the Mautohe Cathedral Cove Track, so you’ll either need to take the Cathedral Cove Park & Ride shuttle, or walk to the trailhead from Hahei Village (which adds about 30 minutes each way). 

Further reading: how to get to Cathedral Cove

6. Orokawa Bay Track

• 📍 Location: Waihi Beach | Google Maps
• 🥾 Trail stats: 6 km | 1.5 hours | moderate

At the northernmost end of Waihi Beach, you’ll find the start of Orokawa Bay Track. 

This walk follows a well-marked path through the bush, with some nice peeks of the ocean along the way. 

The path climbs up at first, then gently undulates until you descend to the beach. 

The entire walk is a treat, but Orokawa Bay is the showstopper.

Once you get to this beautiful beach you’ll have no trouble finding a peaceful, quiet spot to relax at for as long as you’d like. There are huge pohutukawa trees offering shade (the best for a little beach picnic!).

7. Te Waihou Walkway / Putaruru Blue Spring

• 📍 Location: Waikato Region | Google Maps
• 🥾 Trail stats: 8 km | 2.5-3 hours | easy-moderate (or much shorter if you start at Leslie Road)

The crystal-clear Putaruru Blue Spring is a beautiful place to visit in the North Island. 

There are two ways to get to the Putaruru Blue Spring: via the short trail from Leslie Road, or a longer walk via the Te Waihou Walkway starting at White’s Road.

If you have time, I definitely recommend the Te Waihou Walkway!

You’ll walk past rolling farmland along the Te Waihou River, which gets progressively clearer and more amazing as you get closer to the source. 

The water is so clear in spots that you might spot rainbow trout with your bare eyes (it’s really that idyllic).

Once you reach the springs, it’s hard to not feel awestruck by how blue and vibrant the water is. 

The spring is fringed in lush ferns and looks like the perfect place for a water nymph to frolic. Unfortunately, though, you can’t swim here—this is where 70% of New Zealand’s bottled water comes from, and it’s meant to stay clean and clear.

Luckily, there’s a great swimming hole back by the White’s Road carpark, so when you finish your hike, you can take a dip there if you’re keen.

8. Dawson Falls & Wilkies Pools Loop

• 📍 Location: Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki (Egmont National Park) | Google Maps
• 🥾 Trail stats: 3.9 km | 1.5-2 hours | moderate

The Dawson Falls & Wilkies Pools Loop Track could be straight out of a fairytale. It’s easily one of my favourite things to do near New Plymouth!

Start your walk in a primordial goblin forest where gnarled trees drip with moss. You’ll make your way to beautiful Dawson Falls, then loop over to the Wilkies Pools, a tiered collection of natural lava-formed pools fed by icy-cold, crystal-clear mountain water.

If you’re up for a cold plunge, the Wilkies Pools are a good spot for a chilly swim!

Even if you’re not keen for a swim, it’s nice to pack a picnic to enjoy at the Wilkies Pools. If it’s a clear day, you’ll get awesome views of Mount Taranaki in the backdrop.

9. Pouakai Tarns via Mangorei Track

• 📍 Location: Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki (Egmont National Park) | Google Maps
• 🥾 Trail stats: approx. 10 km | ~ 5 hours | hard

On the Pouakai Tarns Track, you’ll hike through a goblin forest to reach a picturesque alpine tarn which, on a clear day, offers the perfect reflection of Mount Taranaki. 

This hike involves a lot of stairs, but you’re surrounded by lush forest pretty much the entire time, so the beauty helps distract you from this calf-burner of a track.

If you’re keen for an overnighter, you can book in to stay at the Pouakai Hut. 

Whether you do this as an overnighter or a day walk, make sure to bring warm layers (it can get cold up top).

This hike is best done on a clear, windless day—otherwise, you likely won’t be able to see Mount Taranaki, nor will you get an epic photo of it reflected in the tarns. 

If it’s not a clear day, I’d skip this one and do the Dawson’s Falls/Wilkies Pool hike mentioned above.

10. Tongariro Alpine Crossing

• 📍 Location: Tongariro National Park | Google Maps
• 🥾 Trail stats: 20.2 km | 7-8 hours | hard

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is often touted as New Zealand’s best day walk—and it really does live up to the hype.

Over the course of this alpine crossing, you’ll encounter an otherworldly landscape that is simply unlike anywhere else in the world. This is Middle Earth country at its finest!

You’ll walk under the shadow of volcanic mountains, including Mount Ngaruhoe, which starred as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings movies. Along the way, you’ll cross alpine ridges and see technicolour lakes. 

It’s hard to put this hike into words, as you really need to experience it to believe it.

The crossing takes planning and preparation (including booking a shuttle to access the trailhead), but if you’re an avid hiker, it’s worth the effort. 

Note: It’s best to do this hike from November to April; from May to October, you can expect very challenging winter alpine conditions and it’s not safe to go on the trail without a guide.

Further reading: where to stay near Tongariro National Park

11. Taranaki Falls Walk

• 📍 Location: Tongariro National Park | Google Maps
• 🥾 Trail stats: 6 km | 2 hours | easy

The walk to Taranaki Falls offers gorgeous alpine scenery and one of the North Island’s best waterfalls, all in one easy loop.

If you can do this hike on a clear day, well—do it! On a day with good visibility, you’ll get epic views of Mount Ngaruhoe as you make your way to the falls.

The track passes through alpine shrubland and tussock fields, a lovely beech forest, crystal-clear creeks and a landscape formed by volcanic activity. 

When you get to the falls themselves, prepare to be wowed: a 20-metre waterfall cascades over a volcanic cliff into a beautiful pool below.

The Taranaki Falls walk is a great year-round hiking option, although it can sometimes get a bit icy in winter (I’ve done this walk in winter several times, though, and have never had an issue).

12. Tama Lakes Track

• 📍 Location: Tongariro National Park | Google Maps
• 🥾 Trail stats: 17.6 km | 5-6 hours | moderate

The Tama Lakes Track is a fantastic alternative to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

This beautiful walk leads you to a duo of alpine lakes, with incredible volcanic scenery along the way.

You’ll also pass by Taranaki Falls (mentioned above) along this walk, which is a real highlight! 

Unlike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, you don’t need to organise a shuttle to the trailhead. 

This hike is also a good option if the weather isn’t the best—as long as you wear good gear— whereas the Tongariro Alpine Crossing can close during bad weather (for good reason).

13. Waitonga Falls Track

• 📍 Location: Tongariro National Park | Google Maps
• 🥾 Trail stats: 4 km | 1.5 hours | moderate

Located near Ohakune, the Waitonga Falls Track leads you to a view of Tongariro National Park’s highest waterfall.

While the waterfall is nice, it’s actually not even my favourite part of this track—it’s the trail itself that I absolutely love. The scenery along the trail is gorgeous, taking you through mountain beech and cedar forest, across a boardwalk, and along a wetland with alpine tarns.

On a clear day, you’ll get great views of Mount Ruapehu, too.

I’ve never found this walk very crowded, and think it’s such a peaceful trail if you’re after some quiet time in nature.

14. Gentle Annie Track to the Rocky Lookout

• 📍 Location: Wairarapa | Google Maps
• 🥾 Trail stats: 4 km | 2-2.5 hours | moderate-hard

The track to the Rocky Lookout doesn’t get much fanfare, but this is one of my favourite walks in the greater Wellington region.

From the Holdsworth Campground (one of my top camping spots near Wellington), you’ll take the Gentle Annie Track, which starts along the creek and leads you through lush beech forest. 

You’ll then hike up the trail for about 45 minutes to reach the Rocky Lookout, which offers some of the best views in the Wairarapa, over a sea of trees that makes you feel like you’re on top of the world.

Bring plenty of water and a snack to enjoy while soaking up the views before making your way back down the same trail you hiked up. 

For a nice little detour on the way down, follow the Donnelly Flat Loop. 

On a hot day, you can cool down from your hike with a dip in the river at one of the swimming holes near the campground.

Note: if you’re keen for a full-day hike, the track continues from the Rocky Lookout on to the Holdsworth Hut, which will take more preparation and planning if you’re keen to hike up there. 

15. Paekakariki Escarpment Track

• 📍 Location: Wellington Region | Google Maps
• 🥾 Trail stats: 9.1 km | 3-4 hours | moderate

One of the best things to do around Wellington is the Paekakariki Escarpment Track, otherwise known as the “Stairway to Heaven.”

There’s a reason for the nickname: this hike has numerous stairs that you’ll climb to reach epic views over the Kapiti Coast. 

The stairs and cliff sides are honestly so steep in some places that you’ll probably want to skip this walk if you’re afraid of heights.

If heights don’t bother you, though, this hike is well worth doing. The sea views are stunning, there are scenic swing bridges, and in springtime, you’ll walk past patches of colourful wildflowers.

Another great thing about this hike is that you don’t need a car to get to it (although you can certainly drive to the trailhead if you’d like!).

For a car-free option, take the train from Wellington to Paekakariki to start the track, then hop on a return train from Pukerua Bay at the end of the track (or vice versa).

Thanks for reading about my favourite day hikes in the North Island!

I truly hope this has helped you plan your next hiking adventure.

As always, please leave a comment if you have any questions or feedback for me. I really love hearing from you!

More New Zealand travel inspiration for you

• This 2-week North Island itinerary includes a lot of these hikes.
• You might also like my guide to the best camping spots in the North Island.
• Heading to the South Island, too? Check out my guide to the best day hikes in the South Island.