After arriving in Mount Maunganui we took a walk along the beach and were stunned by the giant dormant volcano standing in front of us. Our next immediate thought was we need to get up there! The short Mount Maunganui hike ended up being one of our favorites in New Zealand and we went up the mountain over and over again. Here’s all you need to know about the many Mount Maunganui hiking trails, and how to do the famous summit walk for sunset.
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Hiking Mount Maunganui
Affectionally nicknamed “The Mount” by locals, no trip to this part of New Zealand is complete without a hike! The best part about hiking Mount Maunganui is all the different trails it has to take on.
We climbed up, down, and around it 5 times during our month long stay here, and never took the same route twice. Below we break down the 4 most popular routes, tips for your Mount Maunganui hike, and what to know before you go.
5 Tips for Hiking Mount Maunganui
Give Yourself Time: If you were to go straight up and down it would only take you about one hour hiking Mount Maunganui. However, you should leave yourself plenty of time to explore and take in the scenery!
Epic Views: From the top of Mount Maunganui summit walk you’ll be able to see the North coast, Mount Maunganui beach, white island, and the town below.
Hike Different Routes: Personally we liked taking one trail up and then a different one down. Some routes even just go around the Mount Maunganui mountain. This makes for the perfect stroll if you’re not feeling up for a trip to the top.
Pack Lots of Water: Even though it’s a short hike the trails are very steep! Bring plenty of water and stay hydrated.
Sunrise or Sunset: There’s nothing better than a sunrise or Mount Maunganui sunset! Plan to catch it at one of these times for the best views.
The Steep Mount Maunganui Workout Route
This is the most direct route to take when hiking Mount Maunganui. The endless steps make it a popular trail for both runners and day hikers. If we were in a rush to get up to the top for the Mount Maunganui sunrise or sunset this was an obvious choice. Still, there’s so many other great trails that aren’t as physically demanding!
Casual Climb Up the Oruahine Track
This Mount Maunganui hike starts on the steeper route we just described. Then it loops around the backside of the Mount and proceeds with a slow steady incline. It’s a great trail if you’d like to take your time on a sunny day.
Hiking the Mount Maunganui ATV Route
This alternate route goes around the left side of Mount Maunganui mountain. The steep dirt path is a nice change up from the stairs. About 3/4 of the way up the ATV route merges with the Oruahine trail for the final climb to the top.
After that you’ll have the choice of going up a steeper rock section, or continuing on the dirt path to the Mount Maunganui summit. The ATV route will give you some amazing views of the port and neighboring town of Tauranga.
Mount Maunganui Walk Around the Base
Not up for any of these rigorous Mount Maunganui hikes? Well, circling the Mount is just as fun! If you start by going around the right side you’ll pass the Mount Maunganui pools which are fun to soak in during the summer.
As you continue on, enjoy the mostly flat walking surface under the trees of Mount Maunganui mountain. We did this trail to get some exercise on days where the weather wasn’t great. On a sunny day pack your swimsuit though because there is a small beach and beautiful rock pools to jump in!
Mount Maunganui Sunset & Sunrise
As much as we love hiking Mount Maunganui during the day, the most magical time to be here is for sunset! We usually left our house just as the sun was going down to time it perfectly.
If you’re any early riser, the Mount Maunganui sunrise is just as (if not more) incredible. The sun rises over the ocean, lighting up the town below. Make sure to bring a headlight for either of these times in case it’s dark! Also, for more great things to do around Mount Manganui check out our article below.
→ Mount Maunganui: 8 Things Not to Miss in This Fun Beach Town
Where To Stay In Mount Maunganui
Ultra Luxury – Pavilion Beachfront Apartments – Gorgeous beach front apartments with balcony views of the Pacific Ocean. Each unit is self-contained and includes a spacious living room and full kitchen.
Fun Vacation – The Pacific Apartments – Just a 5 minute walk from the town center, and 2 minutes to the base of the Mount Maunganui hike. Pool, hot tub, and fitness center are just some of the great amenities you’ll get at the Pacific apartments.
Budget Travel – Seagulls Guesthouse – Located just outside of town across from beautiful Blake Park. Seagulls has a family friendly feel and a wide range of private room options.
Hostel Life – Mount Backpackers – Situated right on the end of the main street in town, and around the corner from the Mount Maunganui summit walk. The best bars and restaurants are steps away from Mount Backpackers. Bicycles, surf boards, and skateboards can be rented at the front desk as well.
For more places to stay in Mount Maunganui you can explore the latest prices here!
Have any questions on this article or which Mount Maunganui walk or hike you should take? Let us know in the comments below!Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
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New Zealand Travel Planning
Jucy Van: The best way to explore New Zealand is with a Jucy camper! We spent over six weeks driving around the North and South Islands in a van and loved every moment.
Rental Car: If you’re not renting a van you’ll need a car to see this country. We use Discover Cars when traveling and enjoy having the freedom to get around.
Flights: It’s easy to find cheap flight deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we got flights from Auckland to Queenstown for $40 USD, and New Zealand to Fiji for less than $150!
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda. Also, Hostelworld should be your go to if you’re traveling on a budget.
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide to find activities all over New Zealand! They have everything from tickets to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves to a Hobbiton movie set tour, and even a Northland hole in the rock dolphin cruise!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered. We’ve been using SafetyWing for insurance the last few years and they are always there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
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North Island New Zealand
Travel Tips & Guides: 10 Helpful NZ Travel Tips – North Island Itinerary – South Island Itinerary – 25 Beautiful Beaches – Wellington to Picton Ferry – 15 Freedom Camping Tips – 27 Delicious Food & Drinks
Auckland & Northland: Piha Beach & Kitekite Falls – Cape Reinga Lighthouse – Russell – Mangonui – Mount Eden – Devonport Day Trip – Waiheke Island Guide – 9 Best Waiheke Wineries
Lake Taupo: 17 Fun Things to Do – Mount Tauhara Hike – Best Street Art – Taranaki Falls – Huka Falls Walk – 14 Tongariro Crossing Tips
New Plymouth: 10 Fun Things to Do – Dawson Falls – Te Rewa Rewa Bridge – Paritutu Rock Hike – Egmont National Park
Wellington: 10 Fun Things to Do – Mount Victoria Hike – Best Breweries – Cable Car & Botanical Gardens
Bay of Plenty: Tairua – Hot Water Beach – Cathedral Cove Walk – East Cape Road Trip – How to Find Tua Tua Clams
Rotorua & Raglan: Kerosene Creek – Redwoods Treewalk – 8 Raglan Things to Do – Bridal Veil Falls
→ Explore all our South Island New Zealand Travel Tips & Guides
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
