Te Mata Peak — Attraction in North Island

As everyone who reviews this place says it is a great view from the top and the walk up from the lower gate car park is a much better option than driving to the top (provided you are fit).

We started on the red track but switched to the blue track about 15 minutes in since the red track seemed to be headed a long way downhill before heading up again. The full circuit took us about two hours and I am glad we switched to the blue one pretty early in the piece.

First thing, if you are going to walk up using either the red or blue circuit track then I strongly recommend you go anti-clockwise. If you go that way then on the way up you will face both up and down sections, and that’s something that you may want to avoid when you are coming back down and a bit tired. By going anti clockwise the way down has almost no uphill sections.

The red and blue tracks are both difficult and in many places resemble more like a goat track, at times on very narrow peaks with steep drop offs on both sides. Personally I think a lot of the track was originally formed by sheep or goats grazing on the steep hill sides.

Also if you are from Australia, don’t expect a well maintained track like you find in National Parks back home with steps as you go up what are a number of very steep sections. I think over the entire track there were no more than twenty formed up steps. This makes me wonder just how hard the track would be if it was wet and slippery.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to say don’t do this, but it’s going to be hard and you are likely to be tired and sore at the end. (I am pretty sure we were more worn out than when we walked up to the Kitchen Hut at Cradle Mountain...

Te Mata Peak is a striking landmark in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, offering vast panoramic views. Located near Havelock North, Te Mata peak is part of Te Mata Park — a 107 hectare reserve gifted to the public in 1927. Rising 399 meters above the Heretaunga Plains, it’s a haven for hikers, mountain bikers, and sightseers, with well-maintained trails winding through native bush, limestone valleys, and dramatic cliffs. It is a hiker's dreamland as there are seven loop tracks one can choose from, and each track connects with the other so you can complete all of them in one day. Also, you can start and end a short walk according to your fitness level.

There is a launching pad for hang gliding activities too, which is a thrilling air sport where a pilot flies a lightweight, non-motorized glider from the launching pad. These activities take place with designated organizers in-charge and limited to licensed flyers. Also, road cycling on a steep sealed road to the peak makes it a year-round destination for adventure and physical fitness. It's a blend of geological wonder, cultural heritage, and recreational value so whether you're chasing adrenaline or serenity, Te Mata Peak...

Although the road to the top of Te Mata Peak is windy and narrow, with some rather precipitous drops on the side as one drives, it's always nice to go for a drive to the top of the Peak. During the cooler months, it is often quite windy and cold so warm clothes are recommended. Even in the summer and warmer months the top of the Peak can be quite brisk in terms of cool temperatures. There are a number of walking tracks surrounding the Peak itself, with most of them requiring at least a medium level of fitness and agility. Care is required when driving or cycling down the Peak road as there are places that are only a single lane with a rather dangerous drop off one side of the road. There is a fair amount of parking at the top and quite good turn around areas, but congestion during peak times is very common. The wind is often very strong at the top so caution is advised along the fence and in the very exposed places where one might consider standing for a photo. On a clear sunny day there are fantastic photo opportunities offering a 360 degree view of the greater Hawke's Bay area. Some of the best times for photography are spring and early summer, and...