If you find yourself in or around Waiakane, these are five of the best Waikanae walks that’ll satisfy all.
They’re all so varied with one thing in common, a view of Kapiti Island (weather permitting).
Here are the five walks you’ll read about in this post:
1. Hemi Matenga Reserve (easy-medium | 30 mins – 3 hours)
2. Waikanae River Walk (easy | 1 – 3 hours)
3. Waikanae Beach Walk (easy | 20 mins – 2 hours)
4. Kapakapanui Track (medium-hard | 4 – 8 hours)
5. Pharazyn Reserve (easy | 15 mins – 1 hour)
6. A map of the walks
1. HEMI MATENGA RESERVE WALKS
If you look inland from anywhere in Waikanae, you’ll see the green-faced hill of Hemi Matenga Reserve looking over the town. Inside the reserve, there’s a few Hemi Matenga walks you can take:
- Parata Track
- Te Au Track
- Kohekohe Loop
I recommend you go up the Parata Track which links up with the Te Au Track where you’ll find the viewpoint the photo above was taken (it’s one of my favourite views). You’ll be walking under the forest canopy 99% of the time and anyone with some basic fitness can make it. If you’d like a shorter walk, the Kohekohe Loop is the way to go.
This is the best option for those looking for bushwalks in Waikanae.
If you’re looking for a walk with kids on the Kapiti Coast, it’s only a few minutes to reach the mini Back to the top
2. THE WAIKANAE RIVER WALK
The Waikanae River begins in the Tararua Ranges and makes it way down the valley, before meandering along the edge of Waikanae and into the Tasman Sea. When I mention the Waikanae River Walk I’m speaking about the pedestrian tracks running between the bridge crossing the river on the old State Highway and the beachfront.
If you stick to the Waikanae Side of the river, the track runs for about 6km until it meets the Waikanae River car park.
Along the way, you’ll follow the river and pass by El Rancho, Otaihanga Bridge, Jim Cooke Park, and numerous picnic areas. It’s a really peaceful walk loved by locals. If you’re keen, you can take a swim in the river.
When you’re at the beach end of the river, you can also walk around the Waimanu Lagoon (birdlife galore) which is an ~2km loop itself.
If you’re looking to do this on a Saturday morning, you could join people at Kapiti Parkrun…which you can walk.
3. WAIKANAE BEACH WALK
This isn’t a formal walk, but a walk along Waikanae Beach on a nice day, preferably at sunset, is superb. The beach is never that busy so overcrowding isn’t an issue and well, as you can see above the sunsets are stunning thanks to Kapiti Island providing a backdrop (Kapiti Island is also a great day trip).
Most people will park somewhere between the Boating Club and Four Square (there’s lots of parking space) and start walking from there. The beach stretches three kilometres between Waikane River and Waimea Stream, so you can spend a good couple hours here.
Afterward there’s the cafes and shops on Tutere Street to enjoy. The nearest fish and chips are at Waikanae Beach Takeaways). If you take them to the beach, watch out for the seagulls.
4. THE KAPAKAPANUI TRACK
The Kapakapanui Track on the edge of the rugged Tararua Ranges is not for the faint-hearted.
You can easily do this in half a day, but you can make it and overnight adventure staying at the Kapakapanui Hut.
That’s not to say it’s not a contender for the best day trips from Wellington.
I can never seem to get a glimpse of Kapiti Island when I’m here (pesky clouds), but the terrain and views of the other ridges making up the ranges are amazing (check the full post below for more photos). At 11km with 1000 metres or so of elevation, you’ve got a good few hours of adventure here.
As it’s the hardest of these, and better fits Waikanae hikes, if you’re an inexperienced hiker you’ll be better off tackling the Hemi Matenga walk.
5. PHARAZYN RESERVE
Located at the north end of Waikanae Beach, Pharazyn Reserve is the most low key of these walks and one I wasn’t familiar with until 2020. On one side of the road there’s a couple of lakes with a bird hide for the bird nerds a large grassy area with a playground by the lakes.
And on the other side of Rutherford Drive there’s a nice track that rolls through the sand dunes leading to Waikanae Beach where you’ll get that view in the photo above. Weeeee.
RELATED POST: TOP LOCATIONS FOR TAKING PHOTOS OF KAPITI ISLAND
A MAP OF THE WALKS IN WAIKANAE
I was 10/10 lucky to grow up in a beautiful town with a variety of things to do. Note to self: appreciate Waikanae more.
If you’ve got any questions, drop a message in the comments. Or leave a photo from your walk, I’d be stoked to see some. You can always email jub@churnewzealand.com as well.
p.s. Keep an eye out for kawakawa leaves if you fancy trying to make kawakawa tea.
p.p.s. Here’s a map of all the hikes documented on Chur New Zealand. You can click the icon to see brief details, as well as a link to read more about the hike (like this post).
Hey, it’s Jub here. I’m the guy behind Chur New Zealand, helping you have the best time hiking, trekking, walking…whatever you want to call it…in NZ. I’m based in Queenstown and am always out and about exploring trails, old & new. If you have any questions, reach out.