7 Best North Island Day Hikes You Can’t Miss In 2025

Dreaming of hiking through New Zealand’s North Island but not sure which trails are worth your time?

From volcanic craters to relaxing coastal paths, these North Island hikes offer some of the most diverse and breath taking tracks in the country. Whether you’re chasing panoramic views, hidden waterfalls, or rugged mountain trails, there’s a perfect route waiting for you.

When we set off from Auckland for our five-week road trip around the North Island, we made it our mission to complete as many epic North Island hikes as possible.

While many travellers flock to the famous Tongariro Crossing, we discovered some equally incredible (and less crowded!) trails that deserve just as much attention.

Whether you’re after the best day walks in the North Island or an easy trail for a casual wander, this list includes something we know you’re going to love!.

As budget-conscious van lifers, we sought out the best trails, including hidden gems where you can escape the crowds and soak in nature on your own terms.

So, if you’re looking for unforgettable North Island hiking experiences, here are our absolute favourites!

1. Cathedral Cove – Coromandel Peninsula

Time it takes: 2 hour return
Hiking Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (steep sections on the way back)
Landscape: Coastal

We knew Cathedral Cove was going to be stunning – we’d seen the photos. What we didn’t realise was just how much effort it takes to actually get there.

Almost every New Zealand tourist has this iconic hike spot on their itinerary, but what most people don’t tell you is that the track is longer than expected and parking is a bit of a nightmare.

Getting to Cathedral Cove

Driving through the Coromandel Peninsula is – winding roads, endless ocean views, and rolling green hills. No complaints from us there.

Parking, though? That’s another story.

In winter, you can pay to park near the track entrance or do what we did – park just outside of town and walk in.

In summer, parking is only available out of town, but they run a shuttle bus to the start of the track.

🚐 Campervan Warning: If you’ve got a bigger vehicle (like our Britz Motorhome), you won’t be able to park at the track entrance. Keep that in mind if you’re visiting in peak season!

The Walk to Cathedral Cove

The track itself is well-formed and mostly an easy stroll, but don’t be fooled – it has a few steep sections, especially on the way back. Walking down to the beach is a breeze, but coming back up? That’s where you’ll feel it.

We saw people rocking up in flip-flops, but honestly, trainers or walking sandals are a better shout if you don’t want to slip on the steeper bits.

Despite being one of the most popular hikes on the North Island, we were pleasantly surprised – even at sunset, the beach wasn’t as crowded as we expected! (Though visiting in winter probably helped.)

Exploring Cathedral Cove

Most people arrive, take a few photos, then leave but we think that’s a mistake.

It’s a long walk just for a quick snap, so we spent some time wandering the beach.

If you head through the famous archway and up the beach, the views looking back are even better.

📌 Don’t miss these hidden spots:

• Before going through the arch, head right along the beach to find small caves, an old hut, and cool rock formations.
• There are two extra bays along the walk – Stingray Bay & Gemstone Bay. Both are worth the detour, especially Gemstone Bay, which we had completely to ourselves.

If you’re hiking in summer and fancy skipping the walk back, there’s a water taxi from Hahei Beach (only runs in peak season).

Kayaking and boat tours are also an option if you want a more adventurous way to get there.

Camping Near Cathedral Cove

There’s no shortage of places to camp near Cathedral Cove, which makes it a great stop for van lifers.

• Hahei Beach Resort – The closest option, right by the beach, which means you won’t have to deal with parking issues.
• Mercury Bay Holiday Park – A little further from the cove but great facilities and good for exploring the rest of Coromandel.
• Top10 Holiday Parks – Always a solid option if you want good facilities & member discounts across NZ.

If you’re self-contained, check CamperMate or Rankers for freedom camping spots nearby.

2. Mount Maunganui – Tauranga

Time: 2-hour return
Difficulty: Steep with steps
Landscape: Volcanic + Coastal

Our first rainy day hike in New Zealand, and the birthplace of our Britz Vista toilet/dry room hack – something we ended up using a lot more than we expected on this trip!

Mount Maunganui (or “The Mount”) is a 232m (761ft) extinct volcano that offers stunning 360° views over the Bay of Plenty.

Despite the stormy morning, we caught a break in the rain and headed up the summit track from our nearby camp.

The Walk to the Summit: Two Route Options

There are two main tracks to the top, both taking roughly 50 minutes:

Harbour Side Route: Views over the city and Tauranga Harbour.
Coastal Side Route: Scenic views of the coastline and Pacific Ocean.

We chose the coastal track – because when given the choice between city views or dramatic ocean scenery, the ocean always wins.

The first part of the hike felt almost tropical, with huge fern trees lining the path. Every time we turned a corner, the view opened up a little more – first the rolling hills behind us, then the coastline stretching out below.

Fan-tails flitted around us, cheeky and curious, swooping close like they were keeping an eye on us.

And then came the steps.

Now, we wouldn’t call this hike difficult, but let’s just say you’ll feel it in your legs.

Dec powered ahead effortlessly, while I found myself appreciating every single conveniently placed bench along the way. No shame in stopping to take in the views, right?

Eventually, the track levelled out, and we reached the summit – completely surrounded by panoramic views.

Summit Views & Why You Shouldn’t Rush Back Down

Standing at the top, you can see in every direction – the coastline stretching into the horizon, boats cruising through the harbour, and the perfect curve of the bay wrapping around the town below.

If the weather had been clearer, we might have even spotted dolphins or whales passing through the ocean.

Like with many of the North Island hikes, we found a lot of people just snap a few photos and head straight back down – but if you’ve made it all the way up here, take some time to soak it all in.

There’s a loop path around the summit, which gives you even better perspectives of the area. Walking around, it felt almost surreal – like we had this huge, wide-open landscape all to ourselves, even with other hikers around.

Camping Near Mount Maunganui

One of the best things about this hike? There’s camping right at the start of the trail.

We originally planned to freedom camp, but even in winter, spots near Mount Maunganui were completely full.

So, we ended up staying at Beachside Holiday Park – our first ever campsite stay in NZ.

And honestly? It wasn’t a bad place to start.

💡 Freedom Camping Tip: If you’re set on free camping, get there early in the afternoon – even in off-season, spots fill up fast.

3. Te Mata Peak – Hawke’s Bay

Time: 1.5-hour return
Difficulty: Easy (with optional steep sections)
Landscape: Rural, rolling hills, & ridgelines

Te Mata Peak wasn’t on our original North Island hiking list – we only ended up here because we saw a sign and decided to follow our noses.

Three hours later, we were standing on a ridgeline at sunset, completely blown away, wondering how this place wasn’t already on our itinerary.

This is what we love most about road-tripping in New Zealand – the freedom to change plans on a whim, stop when something looks interesting, and end up somewhere incredible without even meaning to.

Te Mata Peak is one of the best short hikes in the North Island, and now that we’ve done it, we’d tell anyone planning a North Island road trip to make time for it.

The Walk to the Summit

We started our hike from the final parking spot for larger vehicles, where we already had pretty decent views – but knowing what was waiting for us at the top, we set off towards the steep face of Te Mata, ready to climb.

The track zig-zags through golden grass, snaking its way up the ridgeline like a well-worn sheep trail.

At first glance, it looked steep and intimidating, but once we got moving, it was easier than expected.

DOC-installed chains helped on the rockier sections, though the trail runners sprinting past us made it look effortless.

Dec, as usual, powered ahead like it was nothing, while I took full advantage of every viewpoint to catch my breath (which is definitely why they’re there, right?).

At about halfway up, we stopped at a rocky outcrop with a ridiculous view back towards Napier.

The whole valley was lit up in golden light, and for a solid five minutes, we just stood there, soaking it in. This was one of those unexpected New Zealand moments that makes every detour worth it.

It was hard to tear ourselves away, but the best was still ahead.

Summit Views at Sunset

After about 40–45 minutes of zig-zagging and photo stops, we reached the summit – just as the sun started dipping behind the hills.

The view? Absolutely unreal.

From the top, we had 360° panoramic views over Hawke’s Bay, the Ruahine Ranges, and the Pacific Ocean. The golden ridgelines stretched endlessly, bathed in the warm glow of the late afternoon sun. It felt like standing on the edge of the world.

If you need a reason to add Te Mata to your list of the best hikes in the North Island, this is it.

Alternative Routes & Other Hikes Nearby

We took the steeper zig-zag route, but if you’d rather skip the leg workout, there’s an easier option – a narrow winding road that leads to the top in about 30 minutes.

It’s a gentler incline, though the views along the way aren’t quite as impressive.

We later found out that Te Mata has several other trails, including one that takes you through a redwood forest.

If we’d known, we’d have made time for it – so if you’re planning this hike, consider staying longer to explore more of the area.

🚴 Bonus Tip: Te Mata is also a popular mountain biking spot – so if hiking isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy the views on two wheels.

Camping Near Te Mata Peak

Camping is strictly prohibited inside Te Mata Park, even for self-contained vehicles.

Luckily, we found a beautiful free camp in Porangahau, about 1.5 hours away – and it turned out to be one of the best camping spots of our trip.

Why? Because we saw whales swimming ridiculously close to shore.

The best thing about travelling in winter? Free camps are almost always empty, and paid campsites never need booking in advance – making last-minute detours like this one so much easier.

4. Mahia Peninsula Reserve – Hawkes Bay

Time: 4-hour return (plus extra if walking from town)
Difficulty: Fairly easy (some steep sections)
Landscape: Coastal forest

One of the best things about hiking in New Zealand’s North Island is the number of completely unexpected places you can stumble across.

Mahia Peninsula was exactly that for us – a place we hadn’t even heard of until we saw a small sign on the roadside.

For such a tiny fishing town, Mahia Peninsula has a surprising number of things to do – but if you follow the gravel road far enough, you’ll reach Mahia Peninsula Coastal Reserve.

And this is where we found an absolute hidden gem.

Getting There

We had planned to drive up to the Mahia Reserve trailhead, but as soon as we saw the winding gravel track, we knew our 7m motorhome didn’t stand a chance.

So we made the bold (or stupid?) decision to add an extra 8km to our walk, leaving the van at the free campsite and setting off on foot.

Honestly? We didn’t mind.

The walk through town was beautifully quiet – no other people, just tiny fishing boats bobbing on the water.

It felt like a ghost town, in the best way possible. The kind of place that hasn’t changed in decades, where life moves at its own slow pace.

Eventually, we reached the start of the track, where the path zig-zagged up through the rolling hills, revealing coastal views that stretched forever. The white cliffs glowed in the sunlight, standing out against the deep green pastures, making the whole landscape look like something straight out of a postcard.

Camping Near Mahia Peninsula Reserve

Most of the holiday parks in Mahia close in winter, so check ahead if you need a powered site.

We camped at the Osaka Reserve freedom site – a beautiful self-contained campsite right by the water.

5. Mangorei Track to Pouakai Hut – Mount Taranaki

Time: 4-hour return
Difficulty: Hard (so many steps!)
Landscape: Volcanic

Egmont National Park, on the West Coast of the North Island, is famous for Mount Taranaki – the almost perfectly cone-shaped volcano that dominates the skyline.

Or at least, it’s supposed to.

When we arrived, Taranaki was completely hidden behind thick clouds, refusing to make an appearance for three days straight.

Since sitting around waiting wasn’t an option, we tackled one of the best hikes in the North Island – the Mangorei Track to Pouakai Hut.

This hike is not for the faint-hearted.

It’s steep, relentless, and made up of thousands of stairs – but the views at the top make every step worth it.

The Walk: Nothing But Stairs

The Mangorei Track is one of the toughest North Island day hikes – not because it’s long, but because of the never-ending stairs.

What to expect:

• Distance: ~6km return
• Elevation Gain: ~800m
• Trail Condition: Wooden steps, packed dirt, and some rock/root hopping sections

The trail starts off gently, winding through dense native bush, before turning into a full-blown stair workout. It climbs 1,188m above sea level, and most of that is on steps. When you’re not climbing stairs, you’re scrambling over tree roots or hopping across rocks.

The only relief? The birdlife. We had curious fantails fluttering around us, while Tui and Kererū (New Zealand pigeons) called from the trees. 

The birds, at least, seemed completely unbothered by our suffering.

Why Do This Hike? The Views (If You Get Them!)

The Mangorei Track doesn’t take you up Mount Taranaki itself, but rather to a neighbouring ridge, giving you one of the best views of the volcano.

On a clear day, you’ll get:
– A perfect view of Mount Taranaki towering across the valley
– Expansive views over Egmont National Park
– The coastline stretching out towards the Tasman Sea

And, of course, the famous Pouakai Tarns, aka mirror lakes, where Taranaki’s reflection creates one of New Zealand’s most iconic views.

But here’s the reality: If the clouds roll in, you might not see any of this.

We reached the Pouakai Hut to find the entire landscape shrouded in thick fog.

Instead of dramatic mountain views, we got rolling golden tussocks fading into mist – an entirely different kind of beauty.

It might not have been the postcard-perfect shot, but it still felt like an adventure.

North Island Day Hike Tips for Mangorei Track

• Don’t focus on the time: it makes the steps feel worse.
• Take the extra walk to the Tarns (mirror lakes). It’s only 15 minutes extra: even if Taranaki isn’t visible, it’s still worth seeing.
• Sign the DOC hut book: Always fun to see where other hikers have come from.
• If you want an easier hike with Taranaki views: try Wilkies Pools Track. It’s shorter, flatter, and family-friendly.

Camping Near Mangorei Track

Pukeiti Garden Car Park – A quiet freedom camping spot only a short drive from the trailhead.

Stratford Motel & Holiday Park – Great facilities, hot showers (needed after this hike!).

New Plymouth Top10 Holiday Park – Coastal location with everything you’d expect from a Top10.

6. Tama Lakes Track – Tongariro National Park

Time: 7–8 hours return (including stops)
Difficulty: Moderate to hard (steep sections, exposed terrain)
Landscape: Alpine

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing might be the most famous hike in Tongariro National Park, but it’s not always an option – especially in winter when heavy snow and avalanche risks make it unsafe without mountaineering gear.

That’s how we ended up hiking the Tama Lakes Track, a fantastic year-round alternative that still takes you deep into the volcanic landscapes of Tongariro, with incredible alpine views and dramatic crater lakes.

The Hike: What to Expect

This 17km return trail begins in Whakapapa Village, starting with boardwalks and well-formed paths that lead to Taranaki Falls, a 20m waterfall tumbling over an ancient lava flow.

Beyond the falls, the track opens up into alpine fields, with rolling red-gold tussock and views of Mount Ruapehu.

The terrain constantly shifts, with stretches of soft volcanic soil, rocky outcrops, and small river crossings.

After around 2.5–3 hours, you’ll reach Lower Tama Lake, an incredibly blue crater lake formed by volcanic activity.

The lake sits beneath the slopes of Mount Ngauruhoe, with a stunning contrast between the deep blue water and the stark volcanic surroundings.

If you have the energy, it’s worth continuing to the Upper Tama Lake viewpoint, but this part of the track is much steeper and more challenging.

The trail disappears completely, leaving you to scramble up loose volcanic scree, following DOC marker poles to the top.

From here, the views are incredible on a clear day, with panoramic vistas of Tongariro National Park and both crater lakes below.

Best Time to Hike

The Tama Lakes Track is accessible year-round, but it’s still an alpine environment, meaning rapid weather changes.

• Summer (Dec–Feb): Best time for clear views but can be busy.
• Winter (June–Aug): Quieter, but expect snow and strong winds – be prepared for freezing temperatures.
• Shoulder Seasons (Spring & Autumn): Good balance of fewer crowds & manageable weather.

Even in summer, strong winds funnel through the valley, making it much colder than expected.

Essential Tips for the Tama Lakes Track

• Bring layers, even in summer. The upper ridges are exposed and temperatures can drop fast.
• Check weather warnings before setting off. Clouds can roll in quickly, making navigation difficult.
• Take hiking poles for the final section. The climb to Upper Tama Lake is steep and unstable.
• Turn back if needed. If visibility drops, it’s safer not to continue – weather changes fast in Tongariro.

Camping Near the Tama Lakes Track

Whakapapa Holiday Park – Closest campsite to the trailhead with great facilities (even baths!). Busy year-round, so booking is recommended.

Tongariro Holiday Park – A bit further from Tama Lakes but ideal for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

7. Putangirua Pinnacles

Time: 2–4 hours return
Difficulty: Easy
Landscape: Prehistoric

The Putangirua Pinnacles is one of the best short hikes in the North Island, offering a unique opportunity to walk amongst dramatic, prehistoric rock formations.

This iconic walk, set in the remote Cape Palliser area, is famous for its appearance in The Lord of the Rings films, but it remains a must-do for all hiking enthusiasts, regardless of your film fandom.

Essential Tips for Hiking the Putangirua Pinnacles

• Avoid the muddy sections of the track, especially after rain. The riverbed can get boggy, and it’s easy to lose your footing.
• If you’re taking the riverbed route, watch out for sinking mud. Some hikers have lost shoes in these sections, so ensure your footwear is sturdy.
• For a quieter experience, visit during the off-peak hours as the track tends to get busier later in the day.

Camping Near the Putangirua Pinnacles

If you want to make the most of your trip to Cape Palliser, consider staying at the Ngawi Camping Area, which is free and located nearby. 

Alternatively, there’s a DOC-managed campsite close to the car park for those looking for a more rustic experience. 

Our 5-week road trip around the North Island revealed countless unforgettable hikes, but these were the ones that truly left a lasting impression. The freedom to park up and camp almost anywhere made it easy to explore more, without the hassle of worrying about accommodation.

But the real highlight? Waking up to breath taking landscapes day after day, with each hike offering something new and unique.

If you’re planning your own adventure, these North Island day hikes are sure to inspire. Stay tuned for our South Island highlights, and in the meantime, dive into this post about the most unique locations to visit on the North Island!