There are excellent running options in the Pāpāmoa Beach area, which can be mix & matched in various ways: the 6.4 km Pāpāmoa Walkway; and 15+ km of gorgeous beach running along Pāpāmoa Beach.
Pāpāmoa Walkway. This is a 6.4 km path just inland from Pāpāmoa Beach. The mainly gravel trail is a scenic green space, traveling through a combination of open & wooded terrain. The eastern end is at the Gordeon Spatt Reserve @ Parton Rd., and the western end is at Pacific View Rd. The trail passes through the Wairakei Reserve & the Topaz Drive Reserve.
Pāpāmoa Shared Pathway. Google Street View
Pāpāmoa Shared Pathway. A new [2025] paved multi-use trail is open along Pāpāmoa Beach. The Pāpāmoa Shared Walkway runs along Pāpāmoa Beach Rd. between Pāpāmoa Domain Rd. and Parton Rd. There’s a scenic boardwalk over the dunes near Alexander Place. The pathway is 3.5 meters wide and includes six rest areas with seating, two with ocean views, plus new public toilets, drinking fountains, and showers near Parton Road.
Pāpāmoa Beach. Fantastic beach running! This beach stretches for 15+ km. It’s wide and features reliably firm sand. Note there can be periods of high surf when this might be affected. But this is idyllic beach running. The west end of the beach continues as Maunganui Beach, which reaches the base of Mount Mauao. Gordon Spratt Reserve is also the location of a weekly parkrun, Saturdays, 8am.
Combine the Walkway and Beach! It’s 500m between them.
Add-Ons: At the western end, see our Mount Mauao route, which includes a waterfront path along Marine Parade, a lovely 3.4 km loop along the Mauao Base Trail, or more challenging trails climbing to the 232m Mount Mauao summit.
There are excellent running options in the Pāpāmoa Beach area, which can be mix & matched in various ways: the 6.4 km Pāpāmoa Walkway; and 15+ km of gorgeous beach running along Pāpāmoa Beach.
Pāpāmoa Walkway. This is a 6.4 km path just inland from Pāpāmoa Beach. The mainly gravel trail is a scenic green space, traveling through a combination of open & wooded terrain. The eastern end is at the Gordeon Spatt Reserve @ Parton Rd., and the western end is at Pacific View Rd. The trail passes through the Wairakei Reserve & the Topaz Drive Reserve.
Pāpāmoa Shared Pathway. Google Street View
Pāpāmoa Shared Pathway. A new [2025] paved multi-use trail is open along Pāpāmoa Beach. The Pāpāmoa Shared Walkway runs along Pāpāmoa Beach Rd. between Pāpāmoa Domain Rd. and Parton Rd. There’s a scenic boardwalk over the dunes near Alexander Place. The pathway is 3.5 meters wide and includes six rest areas with seating, two with ocean views, plus new public toilets, drinking fountains, and showers near Parton Road.
Pāpāmoa Beach. Fantastic beach running! This beach stretches for 15+ km. It’s wide and features reliably firm sand. Note there can be periods of high surf when this might be affected. But this is idyllic beach running. The west end of the beach continues as Maunganui Beach, which reaches the base of Mount Mauao. Gordon Spratt Reserve is also the location of a weekly parkrun, Saturdays, 8am.
Combine the Walkway and Beach! It’s 500m between them.
Add-Ons: At the western end, see our Mount Mauao route, which includes a waterfront path along Marine Parade, a lovely 3.4 km loop along the Mauao Base Trail, or more challenging trails climbing to the 232m Mount Mauao summit.
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Essentials
Walkway: Up to 6.4 km (4 miles); Pathway 3 km; Beach: 15+ km of beach running
Fairly flat
Walkway runs between Gordeon Spatt Reserve & Pacific View Rd., with numerous access points
One of the most popular runs in Tauranga. Scenic 8.2 km loop around the estuary, past mangroves, wetlands and marshland. Nice water views. West side especially scenic. Path a mix of paved, gravel, & boardwalk. Good add-on options.
Another nice waterfront run in central Tauranga. The concrete path goes for 3.3 km between Tauranga Port and Fergusson Park. There are lovely views of Plenty Bay, and some nice shade trees. Add with Waikareao Estuary loop.
A great run in downtown Tauranga combining a 1.4 km waterfront path with the 1 km former railroad bridge that's now a pedestrian/cycle path across Waipu Bay. Great views, popular, and a festive scene. Also a running track just inland.
Wonderful running in the Mount Mauao area, with three elements that can be done separately or combined: trails around the base or to the 232m summit; a waterfront path along Marine Parade; and some idyllic beach running.
An easy, flat run along a narrow stream in South Tauranga. There are paved & unpaved options, and a nice detour into Cambridge Park. Up to 6 km one-way. At the north end, can connect to the Waikareao Estuary Walkway.
Johnson Reserve is a nice running option in the Welcome Bay suburb. The easy 1.9 km trail follows streams, wetland areas, native bush and open grassed areas. Nearby Waioraka Reserve has has a 1 km trail. Can combine using Welcome Bay Rd.
It's worth the 10 minute drive from Tauranga to enjoy easy to moderate trail running in this 190 hectare shaded park, known for its waterfalls & lakeside trail. Good shade option on a hot day. See glow worms after dusk!
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Essentials
Walkway: Up to 6.4 km (4 miles); Pathway 3 km; Beach: 15+ km of beach running
Fairly flat
Walkway runs between Gordeon Spatt Reserve & Pacific View Rd., with numerous access points
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!