Can you drive to the top of Te Mata Peak?
New Zealand, oceania
5.7 km
389 m
hard
Year-round
Cruising up to Te Mata Peak in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand is an absolute must-do! This peak, reaching 389 meters (1,276 feet), gives you views for days.
You can totally drive to the top! The road winds its way up the Te Mata Hills, and while it's paved, be warned: it gets narrow and steep in sections, with some one-way areas requiring extra care. The road to the summit (known locally as the Sleeping Giant) from Havelock North is only 5.7 km (3.54 miles), but packs a punch. You'll gain 343 meters in elevation, averaging a 6% gradient, with some ramps hitting a crazy 18%! Expect hairpin bends, but trust me, it’s worth it.
Give yourself about 15-25 minutes to drive to the top, and prepare to be wowed. From the summit within Te Mata Park, you'll be treated to sweeping views across Hawke's Bay. It’s a photographer’s dream! As the highest point around, Te Mata Peak boasts 360° panoramas. You can spot Napier and the Mahia Peninsula, the Ruahine, Kaweka, and Maungaharuru ranges, and even Mount Ruapehu on a clear day. Seriously, the views are epic.
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 5.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 389 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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