Best Walks in Hamilton to explore this Winter
Winter blues got you down?
Getting outside can be one of the best ways to kick those blues right in the backside. Even a quick neighbourhood stroll through Hamilton streets can be refreshing and just what I need to feel a bit happier when the world is all grey and gloom
I want to share some of the best local walks in Hamilton to wander. Most of them when you only have a handful of time to fit in a walk. Read on, to see some of the best Hamilton walks.
Hamilton Lake
Lake Rotoroa or Hamilton Lake is a very popular spot in Hamilton, a place many come to for their lunch break run or evening jog. It is my place to go for a walk if I feel like bird watching and walking at the same time. Plus, birds always cheer me up, so this is a perfect walk when I am feeling a bit wintery blue.
The Lake has parking, lots of benches or picnic tables for a sit down with a snack, and a playground for the kids. You can walk the entire edge of the lake, or just park up and pick a section and have a nice stroll.
The birds you may see here include pukeko, geese, ducks and coots. And if a pukeko with their gangly legs can not chase away the winter blues, then I don’t know what can.
River Walks
Hamilton has a river snaking through it. The Waikato river to be exact. Meaning there are a plethora of walks that meander along the river's edge. Park up next to the river and you will most likely be able to access the river. Some of my favourite walks along the Waikato River in Hamilton can be found at
Parana Park, Memorial Drive to Hamilton Beach: this is a really nice section of the river, fully pathed and with no tough inclines to sweat over, this is a great walk for a gentle stroll. And the great thing is there is a cafe at the Hamilton Beach side where you can have a caffeine fix.
Days Park: Days Park is an off-leash dog park that is located in Chartwell and is a popular spot for dog lovers. My dog is not a fan of walking, but I love bringing him along here to gush over all the other cute dogs. If you are looking for a place along the river to walk the family dog, this is a good spot.
Hamilton CBD: Hamilton CBD runs along the river and there are many access points down to the river from the main drag. One of my favourite things to do is grab a bite in town and then walk off my food coma along the river.
Hamilton Gardens
Hamilton Gardens is free for all and there are heaps of different unique and fun gardens to explore. Make a day of it, or pick a few gardens and have a short wander. Some of my favourites are the Japanese Garden as pictured above, as the water and trees make for a tranquil scene. I also love the Surrealist garden for some mind trickery and even though I have not yet seen it firsthand, I have heard the Egyptian Garden is worth the hype.
If you do not feel like going to the ‘main garden complex’, then check out the surrounding area such as the Rose Gardens or Turtle Lake, home to turtles and ducks. There is also a cafe on-site for a caffeine break. Hamilton Gardens is a great spot for a walk this winter, even though most of the flowers are slumbering till spring, the winter landscape is pretty in its own way.
To find out more about the gardens, check it out here.
Taitua Arboretum
If you like trees, then this is the walk for you, because it has the whole tree thing covered. There are redwood trees, oak, maple, elm, cedar and eucalyptus. All are spread out among 20 hectares of open pasture, lakes and woodland gardens. There are lots of walks to pick from, ranging from short 20 minutes rambles to long wombles.
The Taitua Arboretum is a great spot for a winter walk, it does not get too muddy and it is a short five minutes drive out of Hamilton. Plus, there are also baby fluffy chicks and they always bring sunshine on a grey winter’s day.
There are a lot of cool features here, including a rock circle, a bamboo grove, ponds and the redwood tree circle, complete with cute little fairy doors inspiring a magical feeling to this woodland wonder.
Find out more here
Neighbourhood Walk
Sometimes the best local walk is the one found right outside your door. Hamilton is quite pedestrian-friendly, with well-maintained footpaths and crossings, you can simply walk out the door and start wandering. Some neighbourhoods, I would not recommend going to at night aka my own haha, Maeroa is kind of dodgy when night falls, but having a sunrise walk or a lunchtime break walk around the block or to the local green space is a great place to refresh yourself this winter.