Harbour Cone is a significant feature of the Otago Peninsula. This ancient volcano is found just west of Portobello - an almost perfect 'volcano' cone in shape. This circular walk goes right around Harbour Cone, travelling at times on the flats next to Hoopers Inlet and involving a very steep climb from Hoopers Inlet to the Highcliff Road.

The walk should be completed in a clockwise direction because the very steep slope from Hoopers Inlet to Highcliff Road is more dangerous in descent than ascent. The steep, grassy nature of the slopes in this part of the walk mean it should not be attempted when the ground is damp or it has rained heavily in the preceding days.

The walk can be started in one of several locations because it is circular. There is limited car parking on Highcliff Road and the walk would finish on top of a hill - never a good idea. The best parking is in central Portobello or near Bacon Street in Broad Bay. You may choose to leave the car somewhere along Hoopers Inlet instead. Wherever you start, this walk is described starting in Portobello centre, so choose your starting place in the description below.

From the centre of the village walk up Hereweka Street past the campground. The road appears to stop abruptly at the bottom of the hill and a dirt track ascends the hill in front of you. Follow the dirt track. It ascends steeply to a crest above Hoopers Inlet with fine views of the harbour and the Inlet. On the southern side of the hill the track descends through a remnant of native forest before turning left down a driveway to the Inlet.

Turn right at the Inlet and follow the Hoopers Inlet Road round the shoreline. You cross Battery Creek on the way - possibly the site of the gold battery that processed ore from the mine in days gone by. You pass several bays before arriving in a bay with a prominent derelict house situated on the north-facing slope to the right of the road in the centre of the bay. The views across Hoopers Inlet are towards Mount Charles (see Mount Charles walk). The shallow waters of the Inlet are populated by a wide variety of seabirds and ducks. Walking quietly should allow you to get quite close to the normally shy waders.

In the bay with the derelict house is a marked track "Hoopers Inlet to Highcliff Road". This is the unformed Nyhon Road. There is room to park cars at this location. Turn right onto the track, crossing the fence on the stile to the left of the gate. Follow the track along the fence through the first field of salt marsh and ascend past the derelict house to the top of the second field. At the next set of stiles just below the plantation forest the track turns right (north) off Nyhon Road and follows the fence line around the side of the hill. Throughout the walk, the correct track is marked by poles painted yellow and by yellow tape on trees and fences.

The path descends back to the level of Stewarts Creek and turns up the valley along the fence line. There are stream crossings on bridges and some boardwalks to negotiate. These are quite overgrown, so be careful not to slip off the correct path. Eventually the fence line goes straight up a steep grassy knoll. It's not obvious (the markers are a little hidden), but you have to follow the fence up the knoll.

On top of the bluff great views of the lime kilns below Sandymount Road are obtained. Then, unfortunately, the track descends back to the valley floor (you will have to go around the gorse thicket!), before crossing the fence line and following a boardwalk into the forest ahead of you. This is the start of the steepest section of the walk.

The forest track is very distinct and marked with yellow tape on many trees. However, this is a route for dwarves - the trees are low over the path. The path climbs steeply at first, then gets steeper as it breaks out into less dense forest (and the dwarves lose their advantage). Then comes the interesting bit - a wire has been rigged to assist the walker ascend a short rocky section. At the top of the wire are some impressive rock boulders which lead out into the very steep paddock beyond.

This is probably the most dangerous part of the walk, because a slip will send the walker down an incredibly steep slope to rocks below. It is grassed and has large terracettes, but make sure of your footing before committing any weight to each hold. The yellow markers are not consistent through here, but the general direction is in a straight line heading for the bushy trees on the horizon, traversing across the slope slightly. Marvellous views of the rugged slopes below and across the valley will focus the mind, but don't get too distracted from the task of staying upright.

After gingerly picking your way up the steep paddock and through the bushy trees, you arrive, exhilarated, on the crest of the Peninsula. Wonderful views across Papanui Inlet, Mount Charles, Hoopers Inlet, Sandymount, the Otago Harbour and Ravensbourne can be obtained on a clear day. Across the valley to the north the stables of Larnarch Castle peek through the trees. After skirting around Harbour Cone for so long, it appears to be at almost equal height with the walker - in reality it's still 100 m higher than the 200 m altitude of the track.

The track now descends a short distance to Highcliff Road where another parking opportunity is found. Turn right and follow the road east towards Portobello. After about 900 m the track to Broad Bay via Bacon Street is reached. You can also return to Portobello along Highcliff Road, but the interesting route is via Bacon Street. Descend the hill following the yellow-topped markers again until you arrive in the settlement of Broad Bay.

At the Portobello Road on the coast, turn right to return to Portobello, passing Pineapple Rock (with the 'Welcome to Portobello' sign) on the way.