The Te Ara Kahikatea Walkway in Te Puke
Looking to take a nice walk in Te Puke? Visit the Te Ara Kahikatea Walkway as recommended by our Te Puke Bay of Plenty chiropractor.
The Te Ara Kahikatea Pathway
Te Ara Kahikatea Pathway is a 4 km long walkway and cycleway passing through wetlands and alongside Waiari Stream on the eastern outskirts of Te Puke.
The pathway starts and ends at the Hera Memorial adjacent to a parking area off Commerce Lane. The pathway crosses over Jubilee Park and runs along Stock Rd and King St before forming a loop around a rural part of Te Puke.
The pathway was established by volunteers organized by Te Ara Kahikatea Pathway Incorporated Society starting in 2011, and was officially opened in April 2018 by the mayor of Western Bay of Plenty District Council. A mix of native plants, including kahikatea, have been planted alongside the pathway.
The parking area on Commerce Lane also has toilet facilities, and there are parking spaces available for freedom campers. Dogs are permitted on the pathway if they are kept on a leash. The pathway loop can be walked in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction. You will share the pathway with walkers, runners, families on bikes with dogs, and amblers, just keen to get out in the fresh air. Walking beside the Waiari Stream will have you in awe at how clear the water is (its cold too), and the abundance of freshwater fish swimming with the current.
There is a swing rope under the bridge on the main highway if you’re keen to swing into the water –be warned its deep and COLD.
An information panel with a diagram and marked places of interest can be found in 3 places: by the Hera Memorial where the pathway starts and ends, at the junction by Tinkerbell’s Garden where the loop starts and ends, and at the entrance to the old cemetery on Landscape Road. You will find markers along the track at 2 kilometer intervals to show when you’re halfway.
An interesting part of the walk takes you through the cemetery on Landscape Road, if you have time have a wander through, there are some beautiful headstones and tributes to lost loved ones in the cemetery, you will see many local family names that are still going strong in the community today, with some going back to the 1800s.
You will walk past the local dog pound and also the Water Treatment Station. You will see cows and pukekos aplenty. Maybe the odd rabbit or duck will also cross your path.
You will walk beside the railway and also under the railway bridge – be sure to get off your bike when you ride under it… it's LOW.
The best time to enjoy this walk is early morning to see the beautiful sunrise or early evening, time it just right to witness our gorgeous sunsets! Or watch the trains drive by. If you just want some time out, or a workout this walk has it all. There are two decent inclines to have you huffing and puffing; you can expect it to take about 45 minutes. Enjoy your stroll.