This section of Te Araroa includes a mix of coastal, farmland, native bush and clifftop walking.

Start at Waipu Cove at the boat ramp car park and head south along Cove Road. A good walkway beside the road all the way to Langs Beach at the 4km mark allows you to warm up for the day ahead and enjoy the coastal scenery below.
As you leave Waipu Cove there is a sign to the Waipu Coastal Walkway. This runs along the coastal edge from Waipu Cove to Ding Bay, just north of Langs Beach. It’s a bit more rugged than the easy roadside walkway, but a good option if you’ve got time.

From Langs Beach there is just over 1km of on-road walking on Cove Road, although the road edge is wide enough to walk safely. Keep a lookout for the new Langs Beach to Bream Tail Road walkway, the so-called ‘Vital Link’ that can be accessed at the Cove Road– Seacrest Boulevard junction. The walkway provides off-road access for the remaining 1.5km to Bream Tail Road and the tracks beyond to Mangawhai.

At 6.5km, Bream Tail Road takes off to the left. At this point, the route jins Te Araroa Trail coming down from the Brynderwyn Range. Bream Tail Road is a steep but smooth, easy climb through surrounding farmland. Good views north to Bream Head open up as you go.  

At 8km Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway takes you cross-country over the back of Paepae-o-Tū Bream Tail. Local farmers have generously allowed an easement here across their land. Follow the orange markers and leave gates as you find them.

The country is quite rugged for the next 1.5km, climbing to a ridgeline and dropping into one deep valley. A final steep climb brings you into a scenic reserve where a good path through beautiful native bush, including ponga, nīkau and kawakawa, makes the walk easy up to Tuaraki Road at the 9.5km mark.
Cross the road and join the Mangawhai Walkway. If you go left (north), you’ll circle down to the coast before heading to Mangawhai. This route is marked for mid-to-low tide access only. The easier option is to go right (south) along the clifftops toward Mangawhai Heads, now just 3.5km away. The clifftop walk is spectacular. The path is wide and well surfaced, allowing you to enjoy the native bush and the breakers below.

Drop down steep steps to start the last 2km to the heads on a beach of beautiful blue-black sand. Use the coastal sections at mid-to-low tide only as big waves could have you dashing for the bushline and a couple of rocky outcrops need crossing, too. Keep an eye on the waves as you go.  

Walk up to the Mangawhai Heads car park, behind the surf lifesaving club, to complete an amazingly varied and beautiful 13.5km day walk. Another kilometre takes you to Mangawhai Heads Holiday Park, if you’re after accommodation for the night. Waterfront tent sites with clean, modern facilities make a pleasant end to the day.