Description
The walking track follows an easy grade. Return the same way, or create a circuit using the Coromandel mountain bike track but note this is much steeper and slippery in places.
Coromandel Walkway
Time: 7 hr return
Distance: 10 km
The coastal walk between Stony and Fletcher Bays crosses farmland and goes through coastal forest with views of the Pinnacles, Great Barrier Island (Aotea Island) to the north and Cuvier Island (Repanga Island) in the east. The track follows an easy gradient with a short steep section in to and out of Poley Bay. It is part of an old bridle path formed by early pioneers to link the two bays.
En route from Stony Bay to Fletcher Bay, a signposted lookout 1 hr 15 min along the track makes a shorter walking option, and gives outstanding views along the coast north to Sugar Loaf and Pinnacles area and south towards Port Charles.
45 min on from this lookout, the track descends steeply to Poley Bay. Swimming here is hazardous because of submerged rocks. A short steep climb out of Poley Bay brings the track out on to farmland where it heads down to Fletcher Bay.
Coromandel mountain bike track
Distance: 8 km
The more challenging mountain bike track follows a stock route across farmland and regenerating forest, and rewards walkers with spectacular views of the ranges and islands of the Hauraki Gulf from the top of the track. For mountain bikers, this is a steep traverse, often slippery and challenging and only suitable for advanced riders and people with a good level of fitness.
From Stony Bay campsite, orange triangles mark the track, which turns left at the ford and past the two houses. The track continues over farmland for a short distance and then heads up a steep clay track.
Allow 1 hr 30 min to reach the top. Following the fenceline down, there are views of Port Jackson and Fletcher Bay. The two tracks meet below a historic shepherd's hut just north of Poley Bay and from there it is another 40 min to Fletcher Bay. Returning back to Stony Bay from this point will take about 2 hr 30 min. Cell phone coverage is limited.
Getting there
From Coromandel, follow Colville Road north for 31 km to Colville Bay. From there, take Port Jackson Road for 30 km to Fletcher Bay or Port Charles Road for 20 km to Stony Bay.