Whatipu to Huia, Auckland
The Huia to Whatipu route provides a fine day of walking in Auckland’s Waitākere Ranges. The route combines several named tracks and, if beginning at Whatipu, starts with a…
- Distance
- 9.3km
- Time
- 4-5hrs
- Grade
- Moderate
Find your trail
Auckland
Aotea Track, Great Barrier Island
The Aotea Track is the way to explore Great Barrier Island, taking in kauri, the island’s tallest peak, hot springs, and one of the country’s best huts. From the…
- Distance
- 25.2km
- Time
- 2-3 days. Whangaparapara Road to Kaiaraara Hut, 5hr; To Mt Heale Hut, 3.5hr; To Whangaparapara Road via Kaitoke Hot Springs, 4hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Omanawanui Track, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
At the southernmost point of the Waitakere Ranges, Whatipu stands guard over the entrance to Manukau Harbour. With vast black sand dunes, a sizable wetland, impressive caves and staggering…
- Distance
- 2.99km
- Time
- 2.5hrs
- Grade
- Moderate
Matietie Historic Reserve Track, Waiheke Island
A section of the Headlands network, the Matietie Historic Reserve Track is a good taster of what the island has to offer. It’s a one to two-hour circular walk…
- Distance
- 4.04km
- Time
- 90 mins
- Grade
- Easy
Duder Regional Park, Auckland
Every time I visit Duder Regional Park, it has the appearance of being jam-packed with people. But though the car park is overflowing, the only people I see while…
- Distance
- 6.59km
- Time
- 2-4hr
- Grade
- Easy
Park Walk, Whakanewha Regional Park
Waiheke Island tracks typically aren’t on the list of go-to walks around Auckland. But with the Te Ara Hura walk – a 100km loop around the entire island –…
- Distance
- 6km
- Time
- 2-3hrs
- Grade
- Easy
Maungatauhoro Te Hikoi Track, Wenderholm Regional Park
A magical history tour Wenderholm Regional Park has a fascinating history. The first people to enjoy the area were the Polynesian ancestors of Māori. Later, descendants of the Tainui…
- Distance
- 3.06km
- Time
- 1.5hr
- Grade
- Easy
Goldie Bush Walkway, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
West Auckland gold Walking options in the Waitakere Ranges may still be limited due to track closures to protect kauri from dieback disease, but a quick drive to the…
- Distance
- 6.1km
- Time
- 3-4hr. Mokoroa Falls Walk, 45min; Mokoroa Stream walk,1-2hr; Goldie Bush Walkway, 1hr
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Wairoa Loop Track, Hunua Ranges Regional Park
The Wairoa Loop Track is a forest walk featuring views of the formidable Hunua Ranges and its impressive reservoirs. It’s an excellent day trip to get your forest fix, and it’s…
- Distance
- 8.4km
- Time
- 3hr
- Grade
- Easy
Mt Heale Hut, Aotea Conservation Park
Lying 90km from Auckland as the kākā flies, Great Barrier Island/Aotea might seem like a logical destination for local trampers. But few venture there. The main hurdle to visiting…
- Distance
- 4.08km
- Time
- Aotea Road to Mt Heale Hut, 3-3.5hr; to Whangaparapara Rd via Peach Tree and Kaitoke Hot Springs Tracks, 3.5-4hr
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Tamahunga Track, Warkworth
An accessible summit We didn’t have to go far in our search for an alternative to our usual Waitakere Ranges stomping ground: Tamahunga sits just outside of Matakana, about…
- Distance
- 2.47km
- Time
- To summit, 1.5hr; To Rodney Rd, 3.5hr; To Matakana Valley Rd, 2.5hr
- Grade
- Easy
Stony Batter Historic Reserve, Waiheke Island
Defending Auckland Had you been an Auckland resident just before the Second World War, the problems of city living would not have revolved around traffic, house prices and crime.…
- Time
- Stony Batter Historic Reserve: 40min; Return to Opopo Bay, 90min; Return to Hooks Bay, 90min
- Grade
- Easy
Suspension Bridge Track, Hunua Ranges Regional Park
A short road walk from the car park along Otau Road leads to the suspension bridge above the unnamed stream that drains the Hunua Range’s Wairoa Reservoir. The bridge…
- Distance
- 4.3km return via track
- Time
- 2hr return
- Grade
- Easy
Lake Wainamu Loop Track, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
In the footsteps of warriors For all their urban preoccupations, Aucklanders are blessed with a superb array of rugged day walks just beyond the city’s fringes. The Lake Wainamu…
- Distance
- 6.34km
- Time
- 2-2.5hr
- Grade
- Easy
Mt William Walkway, Auckland
Over the hill and far away… Just south of Bombay, the Mt William Walkway offers stunning views from some of the highest vantage points in the Auckland region. Being…
- Distance
- 3.75km
- Time
- McMillian Road car park to Mt William Summit, 1hr; Mt William Summit on to Puketutu trig and Puketutu Road car park, 1hr
- Grade
- Easy
Omanawanui Loop, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
Omanawanui Track is part of the Hillary Trail and has a reputation for being spectacular. Winter weather in the ranges can be hit or miss – and the trails…
- Distance
- 2.98km to Whatipu Lodge
- Time
- 2-2.5hr return
- Grade
- Easy
Okura Bush Walkway, Auckland
This easy 15km return walk has it all – bush, beach, coastal track, wildlife and a historic homestead. North of Long Bay, the walkway winds its way along the…
- Distance
- 15km
- Time
- 6 are return. Haigh Access Road to Dacre Cottage, 1hr, Dacre Cottage to Stillwater, 2hr
- Grade
- Easy
Puhoi Track, Rodney District
Just 50km north of Auckland lies the small historic village of Puhoi on the banks of the scenic Puhoi River. In the weekends the kayak trip to Wenderholm is…
- Distance
- 4.43km one way
- Time
- 1.5-2hr each way
- Grade
- Easy
Pararaha Stream and Zion Ridge Track, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
Set off through the pohutukawa glade and step out onto the dark sand of Karekare. Head south along the beach, with cliffs looming to your left and the sea…
- Distance
- 10.3km
- Time
- 5hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Home Bay via Rangitoto, Hauraki Gulf Marine Park
When one is Auckland-based and has children, being a weekend wilderness warrior can sometimes be difficult. Fortunately Auckland has a surprising number of wild gems hiding in plain sight.Disembark…
- Distance
- 11km
- Time
- 4hr
- Grade
- Easy
Mt Donald McLean, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
At the south-western tip of the Waitakere Ranges, at the mouth of the Manukau Harbour, lies the much weather- and ocean-beaten Whatipu. This beach is a great example of…
- Distance
- 10.2km
- Time
- 4-5hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Rangitoto Summit via Rangitoto Coastal Track, Hauraki Gulf Marine Park
One of the most fascinating day trips from Auckland is to Rangitoto Island, less than half an hour’s ferry journey from the CBD. It would be hard to call…
- Distance
- 14.1km
- Time
- 4-5hr
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Te Henga Walkway, Te Henga-Bethells Regional Park
If you want dramatic cliffs, waves smashing into rocks and elevated ocean views then head to Bethells Beach (Te Henga) just 45 minutes from Auckland’s CBD. Te Henga Walkway…
- Distance
- 9.92km one-way
- Time
- 3hr one-way
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Browns Island Recreation Reserve, Hauraki Gulf
Reaching Browns Island by kayak and enjoying a few hours exploration is achievable and makes a fantastic day out. The most popular starting point for a paddle to the…
- Distance
- 12.8km
- Time
- 5hr
- Grade
- Easy
Waipu Caves Walk, Waipu Caves Scenic Reserve
This is a great walk to do on the way to Whangarei or as a half-day trip from Auckland. Bring a headlamp or torch for the caves. Start at…
- Distance
- 3.07km
- Time
- 2hr
- Grade
- Easy
Te Toiokawharu, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
The southern end of the Waitakere Ranges provides the highest hills in the region. It also provides views of sheer rock cliffs among otherwise forest-covered hills. The hills are…
- Distance
- 11.3km
- Time
- 5-6hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Aotea Track, Great Barrier Island
Tranquil harbours, white sand beaches and a rugged mountainous interior. These form the essence of Great Barrier Island, also known as Aotea by its original Maori inhabitants. This route…
- Distance
- 25km
- Time
- 11hr
- Grade
- Easy
Anawhata to Bethells Beach tracks, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
Walking Auckland’s multi-day Hillary Trail is a goal of many but who says you have to do it all in one go when walking bite-sized sections can be just…
- Distance
- 11.9km
- Time
- 4-5hr one way
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Waitakere Tramline Track, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
This walk takes in a number of Waitakere tracks which, happily, make a loop. Mix and match as you like. Start out at the car park at the top…
- Distance
- 7.16km
- Time
- 3-3.5hr
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Tiritiri Matangi Open Sanctuary, Hauraki Gulf Marine Park
This island sanctuary offers the best birding experience in Auckland. Either catch the ferry from downtown Auckland or from Whangaparoa. You can freedom walk Tiri, but it is worth…
- Distance
- 3.64km
- Time
- 5hr
- Grade
- Easy
Beverley Price Loop, Pohuehue Reserve
The track drops steeply from the road to Pohuehue Stream. The stream is shallow but wide enough to warrant a bridge and is surrounded by native bush which lets…
- Distance
- 3.03km
- Time
- 2-2.5hr
- Grade
- Easy
Kohukohunui Peak, Waharau Regional Park
At 688m Kohukonui Peak is the highest summit in Auckland and can be reached on the Waharau – Kohukohunui – Mangatangi – Waharau loop on the eastern Hunua Range.For…
- Distance
- 16.2km
- Time
- 7-8hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Slip-Pipeline-Incline Track loop, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
Only a 6km drive from Titirangi, the Slip-Pipeline-Incline Track loop offers an easy half day hike for city dwellers short on time. It’s possible to start the trip either…
- Distance
- 4.2km
- Time
- 2-3hr
- Grade
- Easy
Mt Hobson, Great Barrier Island
An easy track leads from Kaiaraara Hut (28 bunks) up north branch of Kaiarara Stream. After an hour or so the first remains of historic kauri dams can be…
- Distance
- 9.89km
- Time
- 6hr
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Mt Auckland Walkway, Atuanui Forest
A well-marked track climbs a logging road through pines to a hilltop barn, then drops to reach a small saddle. After about 20 minutes there is a DoC signpost…
- Distance
- 5.68km
- Time
- 2-4hr
- Grade
- Easy
Tawharanui Regional Park, Auckland
Tawharanui is a large park north of Auckland with a multitude of walking tracks and recreation opportunities including bird watching. You,ll need a couple of days to fully explore…
- Distance
- 5.91km
- Time
- 1-3hr
- Grade
- Easy
Pararaha Stream, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
An off-the-beaten-track trip that showcases the best the Waitakere Ranges has to offer.From the car park the track winds its way gradually uphill. Cross the first stream and turn…
- Distance
- 7.75km
- Time
- 8-10hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Cascade Kauri Area, Waitakere Ranges
This walk combines several tracks: Cascade Track, Upper Kauri track and Lower Kauri Track. Do them all for 9.12km round trip back to Falls Rd. Shorter versions would be…
- Distance
- 8.18km
- Time
- 4hr
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Rangitoto Summit Track, Hauraki Gulf Marine Park
Tramp through New Zealand’s largest pohutukawa forest on this relaxing walk from the Rangitoto Wharf to the 260m summit and back again. Highlights include lava caves and the great…
- Distance
- 2.53km
- Time
- 2hr
- Grade
- Easy
Mangatangi Track, Hunua Ranges Regional Park
The Hunua Ranges are often referred to as the poor cousin of the more visually spectacular Waitakere Ranges. The Mangatangi Track, with it,s trig at 487m, offers one of…
- Distance
- 13.2km return
- Time
- 5-7hr
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Karekare Circuit, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
Made up of two tracks – Ahu Ahu and Coman – the Karekare Circuit loops around from the beach to look out over the Tasman Sea and the rugged…
- Distance
- 5.53km
- Time
- 4hr
- Grade
- Easy
Goldie Bush Walkway, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
Beautiful walk with stream crossings, native bush with kauri, rimu tanekaha and plenty of bird life. The track is one-way, but can be made into a loop by taking…
- Distance
- 5.93km
- Time
- 3-4hr
- Grade
- Easy