Some of the nicest running on the Coromandel Peninsula is in the Hahei Beach area. Lovely beach running on Hahei Beach, and a memorable run along the Cathedral Cove Trail. Pro Tip: fantastic at sunrise.
Hot Water Beach. A unique experience! This beach is famous for its naturally heated mineral water that bubbles up from deep within the earth to emerge through golden sand. Run along the 1.8 km beach and then did your own spa pool. Note: Best within two hours of low tide (tide times).
Cathedral Cove: CC 2.0
Hahei Beach. Excellent beach running on this 1.5 km beach, framed by Pohutukawa trees. It’s a wide beach with reliably firm sand, especially at low tide. Can combine w/Cathedral Cove Trail (below).
Cathedral Cove Trail. This is one of the more famous walking trails on the Peninsula. Located just north of Hahei, this wide, hilly gravel trail above the water leads to Cathedral Cove — a gigantic arched cavern that passes through a rock headland to join two coves. The gorgeous beach, only reachable by foot, is characterized by turquoise waters, rocks stacks, and dramatic cliffs. It’s on various lists as one of the most scenic beaches in the world.
The trail is 1.5 to 2 km (depending on access point and also spur options), and gains 75m. Notes: Special at sunrise. Hilly, and can be crowded. There are different access points to the trail, depending in part on whether you access it directly from Hahei or via the Grange Rd. lot. Our mapped route is from the Gateway lot off Lees Rd. Can combine with Hahei Beach run, but note that the connection via Grange Rd. is a 90m climb over 1.4 km. This website has good info about the trail and access.
Some of the nicest running on the Coromandel Peninsula is in the Hahei Beach area. Lovely beach running on Hahei Beach, and a memorable run along the Cathedral Cove Trail. Pro Tip: fantastic at sunrise.
Hot Water Beach. A unique experience! This beach is famous for its naturally heated mineral water that bubbles up from deep within the earth to emerge through golden sand. Run along the 1.8 km beach and then did your own spa pool. Note: Best within two hours of low tide (tide times).
Cathedral Cove: CC 2.0
Hahei Beach. Excellent beach running on this 1.5 km beach, framed by Pohutukawa trees. It’s a wide beach with reliably firm sand, especially at low tide. Can combine w/Cathedral Cove Trail (below).
Cathedral Cove Trail. This is one of the more famous walking trails on the Peninsula. Located just north of Hahei, this wide, hilly gravel trail above the water leads to Cathedral Cove — a gigantic arched cavern that passes through a rock headland to join two coves. The gorgeous beach, only reachable by foot, is characterized by turquoise waters, rocks stacks, and dramatic cliffs. It’s on various lists as one of the most scenic beaches in the world.
The trail is 1.5 to 2 km (depending on access point and also spur options), and gains 75m. Notes: Special at sunrise. Hilly, and can be crowded. There are different access points to the trail, depending in part on whether you access it directly from Hahei or via the Grange Rd. lot. Our mapped route is from the Gateway lot off Lees Rd. Can combine with Hahei Beach run, but note that the connection via Grange Rd. is a 90m climb over 1.4 km. This website has good info about the trail and access.
An idyllic beach for running. Wide, uncrowded, reliably firm sand, and great views of Mt. Pauanui & Mt. Paku. Add with Gallagher Park and some of Pauanui's residential streets, such as Vista Paku. Can also hike/run to Mt. Pauanui Summit.
Gorgeous 6.4 km trail along the Tairua River, winding through mangroves, native forest and rolling farmland. Mix of surfaces and some scenic boardwalks. Just 2 km from central Pauanui. Plans to extend with to 15 km with new 120m suspension bridge.
Just across from Pauanui in Tairua, one can stitch together a quite lovely run combining the Esplanade path along the Tairua River, an 0.5 km, 120m climb to the summit of Mt. Paku, and the scenic 1 km Tairua Beach, which has reliably firm sand.
Cooks Beach is 3 km and good for running. Add with the 1 km, 70m climb to Shakespeare Cliff Lookout. In Whitianga, a nice 4 km run on waterfront roads, which can be combined with the 1.5 km Buffalo Beach.
Our list of the ten best beaches for running on the Coromandel Peninsula. These beaches are at least 1.5 km long, are scenic, and feature reliably firm sand. Check tide times!
Stunning coastal path that runs for 10 km between Stony Bay and Fletcher Bay. One of New Zealand's great walks is also a scenic & very hilly trail run! Can also run along Port Jackson Rd., esp. a 15 km gorgeous coastal section. See notes for logistics.
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!