Nga Tapuwae o Toi Trail (NZ)
Excursion tip
The "Footprint of Toi" is a hike through the Whakatane District. Run through beautiful forests, along cliffs and along the Bay of Plenty coast.
Difficulty level: medium
Duration: If you do the whole loop, calculate 5-6 hours/16km
Accessibility: As everywhere in New Zealand, the best way to get around is by rental car. Outside of large cities there is hardly any public transport network.
Parking: Can be parked almost anywhere for free. Whakatane is a good starting point for the hike.
Hike: The route is well maintained and includes steep sections with many steps. Especially if it has rained, you have to be careful. Coastal sections of the hike are only accessible at low tide. On some sections you also have a view of White Island. An active volcano, which was visited by tourists until 3 years ago. But in 2019, when people were on it, it broke out. Which is why it is no longer accessible to people.
Equipment: Hiking shoes are an advantage, especially after rain. Otherwise, the track can also be walked with sneakers. Take enough food and drink with you, there are no food options on the route.
Dogs: Since the hike goes through a kiwi bird zone, dogs are not allowed.
Conclusion: A beautiful hike along the blue ocean and great stretches of coastline. A touch of the Caribbean. If you are traveling in the region, it is definitely worth a visit. There are also shorter routes that you can walk.
You can find more information here: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/bay-of-plenty/places/whakatane-area/things-to-do/nga- tapuwae-o-toi-walkway/