Auckland Walks: Take a hike on these great Auckland walks this summer
There’s nothing like a good old hike. Fresh air, beautiful vistas, native bush and wildlife – what more could you want?
Well known for its long walks and back country activities is the rugged Waitākere Ranges Regional Park. However, due to kauri dieback disease, we need to find alternatives to embrace our adventurous side.
“The closures of the Waitākere Ranges forest and a number of higherrisk tracks in the Hunua Ranges Regional Park is about protecting our native kauri – a precious taonga – for future generations to enjoy,” says Auckland Council’s Head of Parks Mark Bowater.
“If you are considering a trip into any of our parks across the region with native forest, don’t be the one to spread kauri dieback disease. Please remember to scrub and spray your footwear and any equipment at all hygiene stations you encounter and stay on the open tracks.”
Here are some alternative hikes in Auckland:
Coast to Coast Walk
The Coast to Coast walk is a 16km hike across Auckland from Waitematā to Manukau. It takes you through landscapes shaped by the Auckland volcanic field and 600 years of Māori occupation, through some of our finest natural and built heritage areas, offering panoramic views along the way.
Te Ara Hura Waiheke Is
Explore Waiheke’s coastline, pass through native bush and visit historical sites, all in a day’s walk on Te Ara Hura. A 100km network of walking tracks, Te
Ara Hura is the perfect way to explore
Waiheke Island and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Choose between a day trip or multi-day adventure, there’s a great range of walks from short and easy through to the more challenging. All tracks are connected so you can start at any point, finish wherever you want and go in any direction.
Watercare’s Coastal Walkway
Spend a few hours exploring the Watercare Coastal Walkway. This 7km walkway winds around the Manukau foreshore between Ambury Regional Park and the Ōtuataua Stonefields and is perfect for a weekend walk. Keep an eye out for eastern bar-tailed godwit, pied oyster catcher, banded dotterel and a range of other birds you may spot along the way.
Rangitoto Summit Track
Catch a ferry over to the iconic Rangitoto Island and hike to the top of the maunga (volcanic cone). Rangitoto is the largest and youngest of the cones and craters in Auckland’s volcanic field. The island is also steeped in Māori history – it was used as a lookout over the Hauraki Gulf in times of war and as a parrot reserve. If you want a longer walk, the Coastal Track from Rangitoto Wharf to Islington Bay Wharf takes about 5 hours return.
Visit the Auckland Council website for more walks and outdoor activity ideas in Auckland.