Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Walkway: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Ngā Tapuwae o Toi, or the 'Footprints of Toi', is an exceptional walkway which captures the essence of the Whakatāne district.

This DOC directory entry covers Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Walkway in Bay of Plenty, within Ōhope Scenic Reserve / Whakatāne area. 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: Not specified in the checked DOC directory
• 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.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

We look after Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Walkway with Whakatāne District Council (WDC).

Check for closures, more information and get maps on their website.

Mokorua Gorge to Toi Pā

Time: 1 hr 30 min

Easy walking. This is the best starting point for the round trip. Walkers should head north from Mokorua Gorge along Commerce Street, turning right just before Pohatoroa (the Rock) to climb the escarpment steps leading to Hillcrest Road. Turn left onto Seaview Road to find the track leading to Kapu-te-rangi.

Soon after leaving the road, the track passes the head of Wairere Falls. After climbing through an area of attractive regenerating bush, Kapu-te-rangi is on the right. From this pā, continue north-east, the track follows the cliff top above Whakatāne, skirting a number of pā sites. Toward the tip of Kohi Point, the track emerges onto an area of low scrub and flax land and then follows the cliff tops to the south-east. Superb coastal vies are obtained throughout this section, but for your safety please stay to the track.

Toi Pā to Ōhope Beach West End

Time: 2 hr

Easy walking. After rounding a headland, several tiered staircases lead down to Otarawairere Bay, a great place for a picnic, swim or a bit of fishing. Note: Otarawairere Bay is not accessible during high tide - check Whakatāne high tides on the Metservice website.

Access to the bay is also available via a track down from Otaraweairere Road. To continue on the walk, pass this track and rejoin the walkway near the eastern end of the bay to cross the headland to Ōhope Beach.

Ōhope Beach West End to Ōhope Scenic Reserve

Time: 30 min

Easy walking. Walk along the beach to the bottom of hope Hill and West End Road intersection. Cross the road to Ōhope Scenic Reserve.

Fairbrother Loop Walk

Time: 1 hr

Easy walking. Soon after leaving Ōhope Beach, is the foundation of an old pumping station. Take the left fork for a pleasant uphill walk featuring a number of views over the forest and Ōhope Beach. At the intersection at the top of the loop carry straight on to finish the loop back at to where you started at the bottom of Ōhope Hill. Take the turn-off if you want to carry on with the Nga Tapuwae o Toi round trip.

Ōhope Scenic Reserve to Burma Road

Time: 1 hr

Easy walking. Take the same track as the Fairbrother Loop described above except at the top of the hill take the turn-off sign posted as Burma Road. This track pleasantly sidles along the side of a ridge and comes out at Burma Road.

Burma Road to White Horse Junction

Time: 45 min

Moderate walking. After crossing Burma Road, the track climbs steeply before entering private land. Here, sections of raised boardwalk make for an easy and charming walk through areas of native forest and wetland featuring large pukatea, tawa and puriri trees. Further on, the track meets the Mokorua Reserve walkway at the White Horse Drive Junction.

White Horse Junction to Mokorua Gorge

Time: 45 min

Some steep sections. The walkway traverses the stream valley a number of times before climbing the high ridge overlooking Whakatāne. It then follows the ridge down to a final steep descent to the walkway exit adjacent to the car park at the bottom of the gorge. This last section is locally known as the 'Bird Walk'.

Getting there

The best starting point for the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Walkway is the Whakatāne end of the Mokorua Gorge, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

Get more information on getting there and a map on the Whakatāne District Council website.

Know before you go

Wasps

Wasp numbers are typically highest from January to April.

• Keep food covered and lids on sweet drinks, as wasps are attracted to these.

• Wearing light-colored clothing may reduce the likelihood of attracting wasps, particularly if a nest is disturbed.

• Visitors are advised to carry antihistamine cream or tablets as a precaution against wasp stings.

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.