Ōhope walks
Clifftops, pōhutukawa forest and a hidden bay.
Some of the best walking in the Bay of Plenty starts within a few minutes of Ōhope. Here’s what’s worth doing, roughly in order of how far you’ll need to go from Salt & Pepper on Ocean Road.
The beach itself
The easiest walk is straight across the road. Ōhope Beach is about 11 km of firm sand, from West End to the Ōhiwa Harbour entrance. Walk east towards the harbour at low tide for the quietest stretch, or west towards the town and the West End surf break.
Ngā Tapuwae o Toi (Footprints of Toi)
This is the big one. Ngā Tapuwae o Toi is a loop of about 16 km linking Whakatāne and Ōhope, taking 5 to 7 hours for the full loop. It passes through three scenic reserves (Kohi Point, Ōhope and Mokorua), past pā sites and seabird colonies, with big views over the ocean to Moutohorā and Whakaari. Most people walk it in sections. The Department of Conservation lists these, with approximate times:
- Mokorua Gorge to Toi Pā: 1 hr 30 min, easy. Includes Kohi Point and its clifftop lookouts.
- Toi Pā to Ōhope Beach West End: 2 hr, easy. Includes Ōtarawairere Bay. The West End end of this section is currently closed (see below).
- West End to Ōhope Scenic Reserve: 30 min, easy.
- Fairbrother Loop (optional): 1 hr, easy.
- Ōhope Scenic Reserve to Burma Road: 1 hr, easy.
- Burma Road to White Horse Junction: 45 min, moderate.
- White Horse Junction to Mokorua Gorge: 45 min, with some steep parts.
Stay on the track along the clifftops, take water, and check the Whakatāne District Council website for any closures before you go.
Ōtarawairere Bay
Ōtarawairere is a small, secluded bay between Ōhope and Whakatāne that you can only reach on foot or by kayak, which is exactly why people love it. It’s good for a swim, a picnic or a bit of fishing.
The usual route from Ōhope, the clifftop track from West End, has been closed since slips in 2022 and 2023. In July 2026 the council voted to back a volunteer-led plan to repair and reopen it, but it stays closed until that work is done. For now:
- On foot: use the access track off Ōtarawairere Road (between numbers 115 and 117), on the hill side of the bay. It’s short but steep.
- By kayak: about a 10-minute paddle from West End in calm conditions.
The bay isn’t reachable around the rocks at high tide, so check the Whakatāne tide times on MetService before you set off.
Ōhope Scenic Reserve
Just back from the beach, the Ōhope Scenic Reserve is native bush and old pōhutukawa forest, with the Fairbrother Loop taking about an hour. It’s shady, so it’s a good choice on a hot afternoon.
Tauwhare Pā, Ōhiwa Harbour
Out by the harbour, Tauwhare Pā is a short walk up a historic pā site with views over Ohakana Island, Port Ōhope and out towards East Cape. Pair it with a coffee at Port Ōhope. More in our Ōhiwa Harbour guide.
Mokorua Bush Scenic Reserve
On the Whakatāne side of the hill, about 15 minutes’ drive, Mokorua has native bush tracks and connects into Ngā Tapuwae o Toi at Mokorua Gorge.
Walk out the door
Salt and Pepper are two four-bedroom beach houses side by side on Ocean Road, directly across from the sand. More ideas in things to do in Ōhope.