Hokitika Gorge Walk
Hokitika Gorge Walk
4.5
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Address
Whitcombe Valley Road, Hokitika 7881 New Zealand
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  • whitey7
    230 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Incredible. One of the highlights of our 3 week NZ tour.
    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 ÂŁ15 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.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 12 November 2023
  • guennie3
    Cambridge, United Kingdom450 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An amazing sight in an amazing country
    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.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 14 November 2023
  • Andy H
    11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent and would certianly recommend.
    A short walk in rewards you with the most stunning views of the gorge and sky blue water. Well made and labelled paths, free parking and breathtaking views. A must visit and one of our highlights from 3 weeks on the South Island.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 22 December 2023
  • AJ
    San Francisco, California332 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Gorgeous Blues
    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.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 1 January 2024
  • PDWEB
    Auckland Central, New Zealand28 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing place to visit
    An absolutely stunning walk up to the gorge which was well worth the drive from Greymouth. The whole walk is very well set up and signposted. The walk itself is through beautiful native bush and then across the gorge over a long but sturdy suspension bridge. The colour of the water below sensational. This is another fine example of amazing things to do in New Zealand that are totally free. A must do for anyone on the West Coast.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 9 January 2024
  • Rebecca
    Adelaide, Australia2,215 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely but not always that blue
    The walk itself was very enjoyable as well the lookout which was not expected. Final swing bridge not open but you can still go all the way to a lovely lookout and do a return trip, the bridge only prevents it becoming a full loop it doesn’t stop you from accessing the scenery. The water was not that lovely blue when we went, it was a grey green. It is very murky because of the white silt and that’s how it usually gets its turquoise colour on a bright blue day.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 10 January 2024
  • Karina
    7 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful walk in the bush
    Lovely easy bush walk suitable for families with children. Amazing views and photo opportunities. The walk can get really busy and has swing bridges and built paths. Definitely recommend a good spray of insect repellent!
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 13 January 2024
  • margery H
    Sydney, Australia132 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A stunning beauty
    Stunningly beautiful and not too far to walk to. In fact the walk was pretty easy. The suspension bridge is a treat and the colour of the water unsurpassed; such an amazing blue. Toilets at the car park a bonus. Signs in Hokitika itself indicating the route would help. You don’t get them until you’re well clear of town.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 22 February 2024
  • slc3271
    Cary, North Carolina135 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing Stop at Hokitika Gorge
    Wow what an amazing place. It is well worth the 30 minute detour from the West Coast Highway. The gorge and the turquoise water are beautiful. The trail is well maintained and it’s an easy hike/walk from the parking area to the gorge. It took us about 20 minutes to get to the gorge. I highly recommend visiting this spot. It is fantastic!
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 4 March 2024
  • Kevin P
    Waihi Beach, New Zealand479 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Tiger country
    This is some of the toughest country on the planet to travel through. We're very fortunate that the time and energy has been put in to this trail to make it so accessible. For a real taste of how tough it is, carry along the main trail up the Hokitika River for a couple of hours and see how far you get. Fast moving side streams, unstable ground, extreme weather changes, and near impenetrable rainforest. You're on the boundary of one of the few remaining true wildernesses in the world.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 14 March 2024
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,569 reviews
Excellent
1,208
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311
Average
43
Poor
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Steve W
Nelson, New Zealand935 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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 3 November 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.

rouseabouts
Auckland, New Zealand16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020
25km from Hokitika a 30 minute drive through lush green dairy farming land.
Well worth just for the drive
Then a picturesque 1 hour loop track ( we did it in 40 min) amazing views over the gorge and even though it was raining this only added to the many small streams and waterfalls flowing into the gorge.
2 incredible swing bridges the 2nd only just opened
The paths are very easy gradient and could be a part of a manicured garden.
Enjoy the lush west coast bush around the walk and the cheeky wekas always looking for food.
An absolute must see
Written 29 October 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.

AndrewRitchie
Auckland, New Zealand121 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2020 • Couples
More beautiful than it appears in person, absolutely beautiful.

I highly recommend the 45 minute full loop, though it took us slighly longer as we stopped to enjoy the serenity. So much serenity.
Written 30 December 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.

Shelley M
Albany, New Zealand905 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2020
Over at least 10 one lane bridges (which was a laugh for us) the drive from Hokitika was pretty good, quite a few turns but well signposted and took just under 30 minutes.
The walk is nicely done and very easy to navigate and only 10 - 15 minutes. The water is an incredible shade of aqua and looks just like a postcard picture. Swingbridge is nice and great views of the gorge. Well worth going over to look at viewing platform and walk down to the water. Fantails were having fun swooping around all the people. Very relaxing area and has toilets and a picnic table on a grassed area. Well worth a visit. Parking on site was pretty roomy too which was nice as there are quite a few camper vans parked there and it was easy to get out.
Written 18 July 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.

g m
Bristol, UK184 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Unfortunately we were there on quite a dull day and the water, rather than being glacial blue, was turgid grey. Walk is still nice enough - I recommend clambering down onto the rocks to get closer to the water at the end. Beware the sandflies however! There were probably more here than anywhere else we went in NZ.
Written 5 January 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.

SueB
Honiton, UK415 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
We visited this gorge as it was only a short distance from Hokitika. It's an easy walk with several viewing points along the way. The swing bridge is interesting and does wobble a bit as you walk across it. There is a another viewing point where you can walk some steps onto some rocks. I'm not sure there is much to be gained by this as the viewing is no better and can be dangerous if the river is high. There is a new bridge being developed so a section is currently closed. When it's finished I'm sure the walk will be spectacular.
Written 12 February 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.

waynehannah2018
Christchurch, New Zealand49 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020
Oh....the serenity. of the place ! (Its better than going to Bonny Doon !)
About a 30km drive from Hokitika inland - the weather looked gloomy but held for us. The walk was great (and easy) and took about an hour to do the loop. Plenty of photo opportunities to. If you are fat and unfit with two left feet and knock knees - no worries as there is no real climbing involved.
Written 17 September 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.

Moons
Wellington, New Zealand16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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 21 December 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.

Ed R
Blenheim, New Zealand713 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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.
Written 24 December 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.

Paul B
Brisbane Region, Australia84 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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 28 January 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.

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