Last Updated: 28th Feb 2026
Hereweka Traverse
An absolute trail gem with plenty of vert
Camps track, Hereweka/Harbour cone track
Last Updated: 28th Feb 2026
Grunt Factor: 16 ?
Gnarl Factor: 18 ?
9.9km
620m
635m
Last Updated: 28th Feb 2026
Camps track, Hereweka/Harbour cone track
Last Updated: 28th Feb 2026
Grunt Factor: 16 ?
Gnarl Factor: 18 ?
9.9km
620m
635m
Front country - easily accessible
Point to Point (one way)
Undulating, some big hills
Native bush
Open farmlands
Open ridges/tops
Sealed Road
Gravel Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +12.30%
Average Downhill Gradient: -12.60%
VIP Feature: Send this route to your Garmin account so you can follow the course on your Garmin device.
Become a VIP Member to see the trailhead information.
2:00
Slow
1:30
Moderate
1:00
Fast
The track is well marked and easy to follow.
Start at either The Duck Café in MacAndrew Bay and follow the harbour path, or begin from the park on McTaggart Street. Head up past the park on the gravel road, then follow the signs starting at the stile and the obvious yellow post markers leading to the Camp Track on Camp Road.
Continue on the grass track up the Camp Track until you reach a gravel road again (look out for the dragon sculpture/tree at the gate). About 50 metres further up the road you'll see a stile on the left—cross here into the field. Follow the rising, traversing track past the old barns. Eventually, you will see yellow markers heading steeply down the hill to your left.
Head down, cross the gully, and climb up the other side. Turn right when you reach the Bacon Street Track, which will take you to the road crossing. Cross the road to the obvious stile and follow the markers to Coffee Rock (there are a couple of other routes you can explore from this point). Follow the ridge, then descend to the saddle. From here you can either head straight up the face of Hereweka to the summit, or go about one‑third of the way up and take the longer but more runnable circular route anti‑clockwise to the summit.
There are plenty of options from the summit, including:
-returning down the face to the saddle and back along Bacon Street Track to Broad Bay,
-heading more directly down the ridge and taking the steep (super slippery) track back to Bacon Street, or
-the most interesting option—continuing down through the forest toward Hoopers Inlet, then crossing the saddle to Hereweka Street in Portobello, where you’ll find some great coffee.
This trail includes the peak Harbour Cone.
Hereweka summit, old barns at Larnoch Castle, very cool single track in forest at end.
In MacAndrew Bay and Portobello.
The start and end are both on a bus route with buses every hour. Parking is easy at either end, just be considerate of people's driveways and other's access.
12 km
18 minutes
No
No
Easy.
In the forest at the end follow any signs down except to the "retreat". Please respect their privacy.
Perfect throughout.
Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
None.
Can get very windy on summit section. Plenty of alternatives if that is the case.
Generally very safe ground. Some rocky boulder terrain on the summit.
Portobello Pub
Potrobelle
http://www.portobellohotelandbistro.com/
excellent fish and chips
Augustines
Portobello
https://www.augustinesofcentral.com/farmstoreandkitchen
Amazing coffee and smoothies
Cove Cafe
Portobello
https://www.facebook.com/covecafeportobello/
Cake in huge slices
Do you have another suggestion on where to go afterwards for the best coffee / cake / breakfast / brunch / beer?
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Hereweka Traverse
As a VIP member you can record private notes for this trail, see all of your times and more.
Already have an account? Login now
Send to your phone
Scan the below QR code to open this trail on your phone.
Tip: position the QR code in your phone camera screen.
