Tracks
Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
Hillary Trail
Track
• 4 – 6 days. Medium. One way.
A spectacular coastal walk in the Waitakere Ranges west of Auckland.
ALOT OF THIS TRAIL IS CLOSED FOR KAURI DIE BACK PREVENTION. CHECK DOC TO SEE WHICH SECTIONS ARE STILL OPEN
Whatipu Coast
Track
• 1 – 2 days. Easy. Loop track.
Brief coastal walk at the mouth of Manukau Harbour, south of Auckland.
Omanawanui Track
Track
• Easy. One way.
Omanawanui is the best track in the whole of the Waitakere Ranges with fantastic views of the Manukau Harbour and Auckland City, Awhitu Peninsula, and Whatipu Beach. Almost never gets muddy underfoot.
Cutty Grass Track - Waitakere Ranges
Track
• 1 day. Easy. same way.
Nice day walk in the Waitaks. Wide, easy to follow track. Mainly clay base so it can get muddy and slippery after rain. Track traverses the large ARA water catchment area and follows a broad ridge.
Buck Taylor Track - Pararaha Stream Circuit
Track
• Medium. Loop track.
A short loop in the coastal Waitakere Ranges, visiting the lagoons of Pararaha Bay, and climbing the beautiful Pararaha Valley.
Huia loop walk - Waitakere Ranges
Track
• 0 – 1 day. Easy/medium. Loop track.
Ok this is another goodie, 3-4 hours walk in young kauri forest with a view of the Manukau Harbour mouth and a great waterfall on the way - take your togs! A good introduction to tramping for your ...
Montana Heritage Trail- Waitakere Ranges
Track
• Easy. Loop track.
A beaut walk in kauri forest, from the Cascades carpark. A good introductory tramp in a half day. Take your niece or nephew. Hug a kauri tree, ogle a dam. There's some interpretation info along the...
Parau Track, Waitakere Ranges
Track
• 0 – 1 day. Easy. Loop track.
This is a neat walk that offers lots of loop options and views from the ridge to the sea. It takes you through young kauri forest, to dams, and over some lovely streams. This describes one option f...
Karamatura Falls
Track
• Easy. Return by the same track.
Short walk to a 15 metre waterfall near Huia.
Beveridge Track
Track
• Easy. One way.
New dual-use track running from the Arataki Visitor Centre along old sections of Exhibition Drive. The track is busy with runners, cyclists, and dog walkers.
Arataki Nature Trail
Track
• Easy. Loop track.
This short loop offers a good introduction to the flora of the Waitakere Ranges.
Rose Track
Track
• Easy. One way.
Leading down a private driveway, this track accesses the secluded Whites Beach at Anawhata.
Fairy Falls Track
Track
• Easy. One way.
One of the feature walks of the Waitakere Ranges, this track leads easily through kauri forest to the top of the Fairy Falls, then descends a staircase to the base of the falls.
The track leads...
Upper Nihotupu Walk
Track
• Easy. One way.
Easy walk along a service road to the Upper Nihotupu Reservoir in the Waitakere Ranges. Climb the face of the dam, walk a bush tramway, and admire some waterfalls.
Laird Thomson Track
Track
• Easy. One way.
Short walk from North Piha onto Te Waha Point, with access to Whites Beach.
Old Coach Road Track, Waitakere Ranges
Track
• Easy/medium. One way.
This track follows the course of the original coach road near what is now Mountain Road.
A pleasant bushwalk in itself, link it up with the Fairy Falls or Goodfellow Tracks to form a circuit.
Te Rau-o-te-Huia / Mount Donald McLean
Track
• Easy. Return by the same track.
A very short walk to a summit in the southern Waitakere Ranges.
Fence Line Track
Track
• Easy. One way.
A section of the Montana Heritage Trail, following the banks of the Waitakere Reservoir.
Knutzen Track
Track
• Easy/medium. One way.
This track visits Kitekite Falls, a highlight of the Waitakere Ranges.
East Tunnel Mouth Track
Track
• Medium. One way.
A steep track between Scenic Drive and the eastern portal of George's Tunnel at the end of the Waitakere Tramline. This track is useful as a connector.
Waitakere Dam Walk
Track
• Easy. One way.
A sealed private road to the dam, with good views and a large kauri along the way.
Waitakere Tramline Walk
Track
• Easy. One way.
Follow the rails of the tramline and pipeline that serviced the Waitakere Reservoir.
Upper Kauri Track
Track
• Easy. One way.
A section of the Montana Heritage Trail, along a kauri ridge between Smyth Corner and the Falls car park.
Piha - Karekare
Track
• Easy/medium. One way.
The Piha - Karekare section of the Hillary Trail. Half beautiful walk through forest with a waterfall. Half cliff-top walk with stunning views.
Karekare Falls
Track
• Easy. Return by the same track.
Short and easy walk to a picnic area at the base of the falls.
West Tunnel Mouth Track
Track
• Easy/medium. One way.
A short link track between the Waitakere Tramline Walk and Anderson Track. Use it to form a circuit around the Waitakere River.
Track grades
- Easy
- Unusually smooth, well-marked track, easy gradients. Up to about 4 hours per day.
- Easy-medium
- Typical lowland track. Generally easy walking and well marked. Ascents of up to 1000m. Some easy river crossings, unmarked travel along rivers.
- Medium
- Typical tops track. Experienced trampers only. Rough, muddy and poorly marked or unmarked. Ascents of up to 2000m. River crossings, open tops, passes. Up to about 8 hours per day.
- Medium-hard
- Navigation and snow skills (use of ice axe and crampons) required. Glaciers, exposure to falls.
- Hard
- Rough or non-existent tracks. Following ridges, bush spurs, and rivers. Steep ascents, arduous travel, hazardous conditions, snow and navigation skills essential.