The Mount, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, NZ
Mount Maunganui, known by locals as simply ‘The Mount’, is a dormant volcano at the end of a peninsula in a town of the same placename, in the Bay of Tauranga on the North Island of New Zealand. A narrow strip of land with white sand beaches on each side leads to the base of the volcano.
The aboriginal name for The Mount is Mauao which means ‘caught in the light of the day’ and comes from the legend in which Mauao was once a mountain spurned in love by the beautiful Pūwhenua. Mauao begged fairy-like creatures of the forest to drag him to the ocean and end his misery. They started to do as he wished but as the morning sun rose, the creatures fled and he was transfixed on the spot where the land meets the ocean.
Visible from the ground for miles in all directions, Mauao rises 232 meters from the sea and the walking trails up to the top of the extinct volcano provide panoramic views of the length of the Bay of Plenty.
Me at the top of the Mount
Start/end point: Just past Mount Maunganui lifeguard hut on Maunganui beach side
Average duration: 1-2 hours
Distance: 3km return or 6km loop walk
When to go: Year round. New Zealand’s summer months can be very hot and hiking in extreme heat is not recommended. Take plenty of water, there are no refill stations once you start the hike.
Difficulty: Moderate, wear trainers or walking boots
Maps/Info: The walk is well signposted from the beach; follow the boardwalk along the beach and past the lifeguard club to begin.
The Bay of Plenty tourism office describes the route here:
https://www.bayofplentynz.com/experiences/outdoor-adventures/tracks-and-trails/tracks-and-trails-in-mount-maunganui/mauao-mount-maunganui-summit-walk/
All trails provides an in depth guide of the 6km loop walk here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/new-zealand/bay-of-plenty/mount-maunganui-track
The hike:
There are two main paths to the top of the mount; the Oruahine and Waikorire tracks. The Oruahine track takes you around the northern and western sides of the volcano, in a longer winding path that ends in a short scramble to the summit. The Waikorire track is the steepest path and therefore somewhat shorter in length. Anyone who knows me know I much prefer to do a short steep blast up a peak than take an ambling winding pathway, so I obviously chose the Waikorire track. The choice is yours my friend! If you are in the area for long enough, I’d suggest you do both, or you could walk one way up and down the other. (Or if you’re my Uncle Tony, go ‘off piste’ and find your own trails up and down the Mount!!)
The Waikorire trail is a well maintained steep pathway consisting of staircases (with steps much larger than I’m used to taking with my 5ft3 stature and small stride) taking you up the Eastern side of the volcano. The path is relentless in its upwards trajectory, keeping you on a steep incline the entire way up. After the seemingly endless sets of stairs are a few gravel paths and dust covered looser rocks to clamber over and up. I would only encourage those fit and able to climb to attempt this summit walk. This main pathway is almost always busy with a steady stream of both locals and tourists so even if you visit at 6am it’s unlikely you’ll have the path to yourself.
About two thirds of the way up the Waikorire trail you’ll find an area of native bush where you can rest in the shade for a short while and admire the already incredible view that’s emerging below you, before continuing on to the summit.
As soon as you arrive at the summit you will understand why this place is so special. The view down over the Bay of Plenty provides a vista of the natural formation of the land, showing just how narrow Mount Maunganui really is. The beach fringed edges of the mainland contrast starkly against the hue of blue sea and sky, and are brought to life by the striking green and brown bushland and native plants.
You may feel a connection to the land here that is almost spiritual, as the panoramic views mix with Māori legend and sweep you up in majestic awe. You will most certainly be ‘wowed’ by the view and feel a sense of achievement from the climb, and you may be able to pick out your favourite Mount Maunganui café or bar.
Come to think of it, now’s a good time to head back down the volcano whichever way you choose and head to a bar; this hiking malarkey is thirsty work!
Tom and I enjoying several drinks at Brew Co on Maunganui Road