To walk to the Lookout, head north along Marine Parade and turn left on Coote Road just past Ocean Spa. Stop to admire the waterfall in the Centennial Gardens before heading up Priestley Rd to the ramp that takes you up to Priestley Tce, then turn right at Lighthouse Road.
Walk a short distance to the white picket gate on your left, which is the entrance to Karetoki Whare (Sturm's Gully) Reserve. The entrance is well signposted just before the road does a tight U-turn. You will have gone too far if you see the bowling club on the right but the road nonetheless takes you to the Mataruahou | Bluff Hill summit.
A short distance into Karetoki Whare (Sturm's Gully), steps and a path on the right go up the hill and you will emerge at the Mataruahou | Bluff Hill Lookout. Offering spectacular outlooks over Hawke Bay and the port of Napier, this viewing area was constructed over the top of a World War II coastal defence gun emplacement.
For those driving, Lighthouse Road will take you to the Lookout. There are also toilet facilities at the Lookout carpark.
From the Lookout you can either go back the same way, or cross the grass slope and walk the pathway down to Hornsey Rd, and then onto Breakwater Rd which will lead you past the Port and back to the start.
Note, this is a relatively hard walk, with some steep sections. Approx 4.4km.Duration: 50 minutes return.
Alternatively, from Hornsey Road you could turn left onto Breakwater Road and then carry on along the seaside to the picturesque old fishing village of Ahuriri, with its many restaurants, bars and cafes.
Route map and heritage brochures of Napier Hill and Ahuriri available at Napier isite Visitor Centre.