Hokitika Gorge Walk
Hokitika Gorge Walk
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- BobSki-UKClaygate, United Kingdom873 contributionsWhen my Hokitika B&B’s owner suggested I could “go to the beach” for a nice walk, I wasn’t inspired. So, after a quick Google search, I found that Hokitika Gorge was only a 25 minute drive away - all the pictures looked divine. So off I set. I quickly found the car park and followed the well signposted paths. Sadly, the swing nearest bridge was out of commission so rather than walking the loop, as planned, I had to walk three quarters of the way round and then back again. But it was well worth it. It was pretty late in the day when I got there (around 5:30pm) but I still got to enjoy the incredible colours.Visited February 2025Traveled soloWritten February 9, 2025
- Jia Ling19 contributionsI have read that these waters have various colors of blues, but u have to see it to believe it! Aside from the suspension bridge and viewing deck, I highly recommend to go down to the rocks where u can take nicer photos. Do take note that there are a lot of sand flies, so pls use an insect repellant, and wear clothing to cover your body, especially the ankles and arms.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten October 22, 2024
- weluv2travelSydney77 contributionsThe Hokitika Gorge Walk (bridge walk) is a short (30 min return) easy walk, suitable for all ages that took us through lush native bush to an amazing suspension swing bridge where we were greeted with the stunning turquoise water of Hokitika Gorge. The walk was well signposted, and the track was well maintained, making it an easy trek for our kids. The swing bridge added an element of fun and adventure for them. The highlight of the walk was the breathtaking view of the gorge. The vibrant turquoise water was a sight to behold. In conclusion, the Hokitika Gorge Walk is a must-visit for families. It offers an easy, enjoyable walk and a rewarding view that leaves a lasting impression. We left with beautiful memories and a bunch of stunning photos!Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 14, 2024
- KBofLBLittleborough, United Kingdom583 contributionsIt is a pleasant half hour drive from Hokitika to this site. It is a ten minute walk from the car park to the suspension bridge which marks the start of the viewing areas. Some areas are unfortunately inaccessible at present. The turquoise waters are impressive as they pass through the gorge. The only downside is that sandflies are a nuisance.Visited November 2024Traveled soloWritten December 19, 2024
- R U Going14 contributionsRead this was a good walk and it didn’t disappoint. The walk is great through some beautiful rainforest areas but the jewel is the string of beautiful blue gorge rock pools at the end. The trail used to be a loop but one bridge was closed and have to return via same path in. That’s fine as get a double whammy of spectacular views. One of the best walks of our 10-day NZ holiday.Visited October 2024Traveled with familyWritten October 19, 2024
- chuckrdickeyWhakatāne, New Zealand17 contributionsTo say this place is Wheelchair friendly is absolutely nuts There is no way that a person over about 15 Kgs could be man handled along the track, thick gravel and many hills. Pretty long way too.Visited November 2024Traveled with familyWritten November 26, 2024
- Anita SQueensland, Australia195 contributionsStopped in here on our way up the west coast with family and friends. Fantastic walk to the most amazing blue water you will see! Stunning! Great photo opportunities everywhere. Beware of the infamous midges - they were just as bitey here as everywhere else!Visited December 2024Traveled with familyWritten January 6, 2025
- Morten_HygumSkive, Denmark166 contributionsFirst: Wear long clothes as the local flies bite. But otherwise a nice walk, where we saw many animals and plants. We were there early, but there were already many cars in the parking lot. A cozy little walk of two km to the bridge and back.Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten February 24, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.7
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AJ
San Francisco, CA332 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Beautiful. Just lovely. We went in mid November. At this time one of the swing bridges was closed so you could not do the loop. Still a lovely walk to the main view and through the area. We went after some rainy days and on a cloudy morning and the water was still an incredible blue color. Maybe not as vibrant as usual, but fantastic. Would highly recommend this short walk and taking a moment to enjoy the views along the way. Bring/wear some sandfly repellent here.
Written January 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Moons
Wellington, New Zealand16 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
This is an amazing walk in native bush seeing beautiful glacier waters through the Hokitika Gorge. The drive to the start of the track is well sealed, there are also bathrooms located at the car park. The walk is an easy well maintained track suitable for most ages. The walk takes about 45mins to an hour. We would recommend this walk to everyone visiting the area and the best thing is that it is free, enjoy!!
Written December 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
whitey7
surrey229 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Visited Oct 2023.
This has to be one of the highlights of our 3 week tour of both North and south Islands.
It is a truly amazing spectacle that blew our minds. It is very worth while going right down to the "beach" (which is actually low level rocks at water level) as the phot opportunities are incredible.
We visited on a lovely sunny day So can only comment on the water colour in those conditions but, the vivid blue is like the Azure Sea in Greece. It is truly amazing.
The walk used to be a round trip, over one swing bridge and along then over a second. However, I believe safety concerns with the older second bridge have forced its closure so it's now a return walk but this doesn't in any way detract from the experience.
Believe the photos........ It really is that stunning.
And??? It's completely free. To both park and do the walk. If this was in the UK you'd be ripped off for £15 parking then a ridiculous entry free. Well done NZ and the team that keep this Gorge for keeping it as great as it is and free to visit.
This has to be one of the highlights of our 3 week tour of both North and south Islands.
It is a truly amazing spectacle that blew our minds. It is very worth while going right down to the "beach" (which is actually low level rocks at water level) as the phot opportunities are incredible.
We visited on a lovely sunny day So can only comment on the water colour in those conditions but, the vivid blue is like the Azure Sea in Greece. It is truly amazing.
The walk used to be a round trip, over one swing bridge and along then over a second. However, I believe safety concerns with the older second bridge have forced its closure so it's now a return walk but this doesn't in any way detract from the experience.
Believe the photos........ It really is that stunning.
And??? It's completely free. To both park and do the walk. If this was in the UK you'd be ripped off for £15 parking then a ridiculous entry free. Well done NZ and the team that keep this Gorge for keeping it as great as it is and free to visit.
Written November 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul B
Brisbane Region, Australia82 contributions
Jan 2023
Getting here requires a scenic but reasonably long drive out of Hokitika, but it is well worth it. Plenty of parking and there are toilets at the car park. It's an easy walk to the first lookout then a bit steeper down to the suspension bridge, but the path is good. There are several more lookout spots on the way to/past the river itself. Absolutely stunning views of milky blue glacial water. Lots of people were swimming at the main waterhole, but care is needed.
Written January 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve W
Nelson, New Zealand932 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
The short walk has been extended to a 2 km loop walk. The track is well graded and easy passing over two bridges which are in theory swing bridges but which are big and stable. The river is a lovely colour even on a drizzly day. We will come back one time in lots of rain when the river is in flood.
Written November 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
guennie3
Cambridge, UK526 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We did this on a dull and rainy day but the colours were still spectacular. Don’t stop at the viewing platform-do the walk. We thought it was amazing when we reached the suspension bridge but it just got better and better. It used to be a loop but now ends at the waters edge. It really isn’t a long walk and is easy to do. Absolutely recommend this.
Written November 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ed R
Blenheim, New Zealand706 contributions
Oct 2021
Half an hour inland from Hokitika, this is well worth the effort, even you have been on other similar walks in NZ.
Easy track for all abilities with a lovely range of native trees to admire. Great views from the bridge.
Easy track for all abilities with a lovely range of native trees to admire. Great views from the bridge.
Written December 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda B
Christchurch, New Zealand10 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Another free Hokitika attraction. A big credit to everyone on track maintenance! The easy loop track is well worth the effort - we did it in 40 mins but if it hadn't been for the rain, we would have taken a much more leisurely stroll. The suspension bridges are awesome and the scenery - vegetation and water views are stunning!
Written April 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
silverthreads101
Palmerston North, New Zealand376 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
What an amazing piece of nature! This is something you should do while in Hokitika. While we did not do the full loop circuit- as one of us does not do swing bridges-this is a great activity. Yes it is a 30 minute drive from Hokitika through dairy country out to the foothills but it is well worth it. A clearly marked large car park with newly built and well maintained flush toilets was appreciated. There is an interpretative board at the start of the clearly marked walk. The first viewing platform is wheelchair accessible and offers great views down to the gorge and the first swing bridge. The swing bridge does have a limit on it and this was adhered to by those we passed. There is a rocky outcrop beyond the bridge with good views back onto the bridge and also further up the gorge. However be cautious if you go down to the rocks as the rocks are perpetually wet and very slippery. A local also advised that going on to the rocks invites mosquito bites any time of the year. Even though there had been a lot of rain the water still had the typical glacial blue colour as it ran through the gorge. The native forest there is also really majestic and almost primordial.
Written August 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John
Lower Hutt, New Zealand501 contributions
Apr 2022
30kms from Hokitika it is well-worth the drive. This loop walk takes about 40 - 50 minutes and encompasses a couple of spectacular swing bridges as well as viewing platforms. The views of the river are spectacular with the water a brilliant shade of blue in parts. The walk is through Beech and Rimu forest with heaps of other varieties too and endless fern varieties. A reasonable gradient means it is accessible even for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Written April 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I just went to Hokitika gorge today after heavy rain and the water color is grey and swift. What I wonder is how long the river is going to turn back to blue color. I’m planing to go back again tomorrow.
Written March 9, 2023
I suspect it's about the sky reflecting in the pools. If you have some sun you should see the blue colour
Written March 9, 2023
Hi, is this place accessible to wheelchair?
Written February 15, 2019
There is an accessible 15 min. walk according to the website! So worth it! :-)
Written February 17, 2019
Hi, are you able to fish at his spot? Thank you
Written January 26, 2019
Hi, are you able to fish at his spot? Thank you
Written January 26, 2019
Bonjour, je voulais savoir combien temps faut-il prévoir sur place pour visiter les gorges ?
Merci
Written October 21, 2018
Es una corta visita, con una a dos horas es suficiente.
Si el camino de ida lo haceis desde Hokitika, sugiero que el de vuelta pasen por el lago Kaniere y Dorothy falls, siempre que no haya llovido mucho.
Written October 22, 2018
How far is the Hokitika Gorge from Greymouth
Written October 13, 2018
Approximately 1 hour.
From Greymouth to Hokitika is about 30mins on a reasonably straight and easy coastal road. Then from Hokitika to the gorge is about another 30mins on an inland road. There is a short gravel road leading to the car park. It is well sign posted and worth the drive. Hope this helps.
Written October 13, 2018
Should we buy insect repellent before our visit here tomorrow? We were planning on wearing long pants and coats and boots....
Written June 7, 2018
I visited in May and didn't need any insect repellent at all (I wore a long sleeved top and trousers). I'm usually very prone to getting insect bites but didn't get a single one :)
Written June 8, 2018
Hi, what is the weather like at the gorge in July? Is it likely to be snowing?
Written May 12, 2018
It's the snowy time of the year but doesn't get snow at the Gorge.
Written June 9, 2018
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