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Hawke's Bay · Hiking

Monckton Walkway: Walking Guide, Time & Access

A walker seen from behind carrying a grey and orange backpack, with hills in the background.

Illustrative photograph. General backpacking illustration; location unverified. This is not a photograph of the named route or evidence of its terrain, condition or difficulty.

Photo: Cody Black / Unsplash License / Details

Enjoy a short walk through native forest rich in kahikatea, tōtara, beech, mataī, tawa and kōwhai in Monckton Scenic Reserve.

Last checked 8 October 2026 · Department of Conservation

By Outdoor Next Editorial standards

On this page

Location & access

DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.

Official location information
Location source

DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.

Reference point: -39.96455, 176.28265. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.

DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.

Key facts

Distance
Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
Walking time
1 hr 30 min - 2 hr
Track grade
Easy
Location
Central Hawke's Bay reserves
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.

Route overview

Enjoy a short walk through native forest rich in kahikatea, tōtara, beech, mataī, tawa and kōwhai in Monckton Scenic Reserve.

This DOC directory entry covers Monckton Walkway in Hawke's Bay, within Central Hawke's Bay reserves. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

  • Distance: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
  • Walking time: 1 hr 30 min - 2 hr
  • DOC grade: Easy

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

  • Monckton Walkway closed; First published on 22 April 2024. Last reviewed on 31 July 2026.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

The 16.5 ha Monckton Scenic Reserve is a mixed podocarp and beech remnant, rich in kahikatea, tōtara, beech, mataī, tawa and kōwhai. Native birds are plentiful, with spring being a good time to visit as tūi and bellbirds are attracted to the many flowering kōwhai trees.

Climb down a bank and cross a stream to start the track. The track itself is easily walked as it climbs and descends to the picturesque Tangarewai Stream.

Use the facilities provided for picnicking and barbecuing after you’ve enjoyed a walk or swim in the scenic reserve.

Getting there

From SH50, west of Waipukurau, turn into Ashley Clinton Rd. Turn to the right when you reach a fork in this road.

The car park periodically becomes muddy and unsuitable for vehicle use after periods of prolonged wet weather. Visitors should first go into the car park by foot to check if it is suitable for car parking.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.

Sources & official links

  1. 1.Monckton Walkway: official route information— Department of Conservation
  2. 2.DOC walking and tramping directory— Department of Conservation

Keep planning

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