Bell Rock is an iconic lookout accessed reached via a medium intensity walk.
This track features a variety of vegetation and seasonal bird activities. The track climbs through mixed beech and podocarp to a forest dominated by gnarled beech and mountain holly trees and panoramic views. The low canopy provides opportunities to view large numbers of tui, bellbird and kereru.
Expansive views from the top of the range include Mahia Peninsula, Te Kooti's Lookout, and the Kaweka mountain range. Note, the latter part of the walk and lookout are very exposed and can be particularly windy. While the track is largely fine for children who are fit enough to walk the distance, please pay particular attention to them at the lookout as there are significant drops.
On the return journey, there is the option to veer left for an alternative walking route back to your car. This will deliver you to Pohokura Road approximately 1km away from your car (turn right onto Pohokura Road to get to your car).
Distance: 5.3 km
Duration: 3hr return
Stuff's Brook Sabin calls it "the best walk you've never heard of".
Getting there
Head north from Napier on on SH2 to Tutira, and turn left into Matahorua Road - just beside the Tutira store - about 35-40mins from Napier. Keep going up Matahorua Road for about 5km until the road forks – keep left, into Pohokura Road. The tarseal changes to gravel shortly after, and the carpark is approximately 12km from the start of Pohokura Road on the left. Recommend navigating to the Bell Rock Loop Track Parking on Google Maps.