10 min from central Nelson (northern end)

The northern end of Whakatu Coastal Pathway begins at Annesbrook Roundabout, adjacent to the World of Wearable Art Museum. The southern end begins at Reservoir Creek, where two separate sections of Great Taste Trail begin, and an underpass goes beneath Richmond Deviation to connect to Richmond Aquatic Centre. Along the way there are connections to Nelson Airport Perimeter Walkway, Poorman Stream Walkway and Railway Reserve Pathway (via Orphanage Stream).

The primary purpose of Whakatu Coastal Pathway is to provide a safe urban link for people travelling between Richmond and Stoke or Nelson, and it serves as an important route for cycling commuters and students. It combines very well with the other urban pathways and tracks that connect to it, allowing for numerous routes and circuits to be made.

The northern end of Whakatu Coastal Pathway begins at Annesbrook roundabout, adjacent to the World of Wearable Art Museum. Here an underpass goes beneath Whakatu Dr, giving access to Railway Reserve Pathway. The pathway crosses Quarantine Rd, goes beneath Nayland Rd Overbridge and continues alongside Whakatu Dr to a T junction with the Airport-Monaco pathway, which connects to Nelson Airport Perimeter Walkway. Turn left at this junction, cross Poorman Stream (where Poorman Stream Walkway connects via an underpass), and continue through to Point Rd. Cross Point Rd and follow the pathway around the cove to Honest Lawyer.

South of Honest Lawyer the pathway weaves between open grass and native tree plantings in the coastal reserve land between Whakatu Dr and Waimea Inlet. After 1.3 km the reserve ends and the pathway runs immediately alongside the northbound lanes of Whakatu Dr to Orphanage Stream underpass (giving access to Railway Reserve Pathway), and on to Reservoir Creek underpass (Champion Rd).

The underpass through to Champion Rd marks the southern end of the Whakatu Coastal Pathway. Two respective sections of the Great Taste Trail begin here; the Richmond-Mapua section continues west around Waimea Estuary, and the Richmond-Wakefield section continues southwest alongside Richmond Deviation. Champion Road underpass links through to the Richmond Aquatic Centre, and connects directly to the Reservoir Creek Walkway.

A circuit combining Whakatu Coastal Pathway and Railway Reserve Pathway is 9.4 km; this is the longest flat, off-road loop that you can do around Stoke. For extra distance you can add Monaco Peninsula or Nelson Airport Perimeter Walkway.