Exploring Tākaka Hill Walkway
Located near the top of Tākaka Hill, on the way to Tākaka in Golden Bay, the Tākaka Hill Walkway is a unique hiking experience, combining 4WD tracks, walking paths, and a rugged prehistoric karst marble landscape. The walkway leads you to the peak of Tākaka Hill, which stands at 950 metres, with outstanding views and a radio tower.
Spectacular Views and Unique Landscape
On a clear day, the views from the peak are breathtaking, showcasing the surrounding peaks of Kahurangi National Park and the Tākaka Valley. The landscape itself is intriguing, with karst rock formations that resemble scattered marble piles. This unusual terrain adds an element of interest to the hike.
Before the Dinosaurs!
The Takaka Hill Walkway is unique in providing easy access to one of the most ancient landscapes in New Zealand. The pale, sculpted marble underfoot began as limestone laid down on a shallow seafloor more than 500 million years ago, making it among the oldest exposed rock in the country. Over time, this limestone was buried, compressed, and heated into marble, then uplifted by tectonic forces. Water has since shaped the surface into classic karst formations, sharp ridges, sinkholes, and hidden caves.
This same ancient marble runs through nearby Mount Owen and Mount Arthur, forming a unique geological spine through northwest Nelson. But Takaka Hill is special because you can literally walk across a landscape that predates the dinosaurs, not to mention anything else with legs!
The Lost Beech Forest
In a much more recent period, the hill was covered by a beech forest, which was destroyed by fire in the 1800s. Today, the only remaining section of this forest can be seen in the valley to your right as you begin the walk. The higher sections of the hill are now dotted with alpine shrubs, which bloom beautifully in spring.
Walking the Track
The walk to the peak takes about an hour and involves a moderate uphill climb. For those seeking a longer adventure, a loop track is available, extending the hike to approximately 3 hours.
Getting to Tākaka Hill Walkway
To reach the Tākaka Hill Walkway, drive from Motueka in Tasman Bay on State Highway 60 to the top of Tākaka Hill. The car park is just before the highway starts descending towards Tākaka and Golden Bay.
As you drive up, you can also take a short walk to Hawkes Lookout and Bobs Lookout, with views over the Riwaka Valley, southeast towards Motueka. Near the top, you can take a side road into Abel Tasman National Park with a walk to dramatic Harwoods Hole.
