Hawke's Bay: Coast, River & Te Mata Peak
Napier's coast to Havelock's Te Mata Peak
Best for Coastal cruisers, easy-going walkers.
Napier Coast & Ahuriri
- 1
Taradale Dog Park
Part-fenced dog parkPartly fenced romp to burn energy before the coastal day, so keep recall sharp.
- ~3 km drive
- 2
Sugar Loaf Loop Track
Dogs allowedEasy lakeside loop with pā-site views; dogs welcome, little shade so pack plenty of water.
- ~8 km drive
- 3
Westshore Loop Walk
Dogs allowedBeach-and-river loop; wildlife about, so check Westshore's summer beach rules before hitting the sand.
- ~11 km drive
- 4
Napier Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
Dogs by arrangement, call aheadDog stay by arrangement, steps from the beach, call ahead to confirm space.
- ~20 km drive to Day 2
Coast to Te Mata Peak
- 1
Hawkes Bay Trails: Clive River Mouth to Tukituki River Mouth
Dogs allowedFlat coastal cycleway past beach and river mouth; dogs welcome, and share it with cyclists.
- ~8 km drive
- 2
Te Mata Trust Park Giant Circuit
Dogs allowedIconic peak circuit; dogs welcome, and it is a working sheep farm, so hold them in and watch for bait stations.
- ~12 km drive
- 3
Peak House
Dogs at outdoor tablesCoffee at the summit; dogs in the outdoor courtyard to finish the climb.
Trips like this one
Taupō & the Great Lake Trail
The Great Lake Trail sections (Headland Loop/W2K and Waihāhā) now welcome dogs and give them room to properly run, but they are shared cycle trails, so keep recall sharp and step aside for mountain bikers.
Rotorua Lakes & Redwoods
Dogs are welcome on every walk on this route, and the Hamurana lakefront reserve is the one spot with room to properly run, so confirm the exercise area against Rotorua Lakes Council bylaw signage before you unclip, as the Springs walk proper restricts dogs.
Wellington: South Coast, Makara & Harbour Bays
Much of Wellington's south coast (Owhiro Bay, Red Rocks) is open ground where a dog can properly run, but keep them close near the Sinclair Head fur-seal colony, where seals haul out year-round and peak May to October, so never let a dog approach them.