Fence Line Track

This track is part of a rich network of tracks with neither end located by a road. The northeastern end is on the Auckland City Walk not far from the Falls Road car park. The southwestern end is at Simla, a forest junction that was once the site of a farm and homestead. This track is most commonly walked as part of the Montana Heritage Trail circuit.

From the Auckland City Walk look for a marked junction just 10 minutes from the eastern end. Wooden steps lead up to a ridge boardwalk. Pass the end of the Cascade Track under rata forest. The track soon starts to descend, with glimpses of the Waitakere Reservoir through the trees. 

Take a few minutes at the dam to check out the view, but return to the western bank and follow the vehicle track along the waters edge.

The Waitakere Dam was raised 4 metres in height in 1926. At this time, another small earth dam was constructed to block a forest gully. Walk along the top of the "Saddle Dam" now and head into forest dominated by kanuka, tree ferns, rata, giving way to rimu and kauri. 

Past the closed Robinson Ridge Track, climb through a patch of forest regenerating under ancient pine trees. This is the site of Simla, now lost to the forest. 

Connecting Tracks

• Auckland City Walk at the northern terminus leads to the Falls Road car park, and is part of the Montana Heritage Trail.
• Anderson Track comes off the Auckland City Walk near the track end. It leads east to Scenic Drive.
• Cascade Track cuts between Fence Line Track and Upper Kauri Track for some more challenging walking.
• Waitakere Dam Walk meets the Fence Line Track at the western end of the Waitakere Dam. 
• Robinson Ridge Track runs between the Cascade Track and the Fence Line Track just east of Simla. It is currently closed to protect kauri.
• From the Simla terminus, Long Road Track heads northwest past Smyth Corner to Pae O Te Rangi Farm, and Ridge Road Track heads south toward Anawhata Road. Long Road Track is also part of the Montana Heritage Trail.