Amelia WilliamsLooking for a fantastic way to spend a nice, clear day in Auckland? Why not go stretch your legs and enjoy the great outdoors? Our team does it all the time when we want to get out of the office: we call these our group walks and they’re pretty good for getting the blood circulating!
We only just realized that this means we already know the best walks in the area. So, we’re here to share them with you today!
Here’s our list of the best Auckland trails you need to try out for awesome scenery (and for those of us who aren’t spring chickens any more, suitability for all fitness levels).
Coast to Coast Walkway
– Media by ginaroselangford
Address: Begin at Auckland’s ferry terminal
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 16 km
Duration: 4 hours
Ever fancied the idea of walking across the country in just one day? Well, the Coast to Coast Walkway lets you do just that! It’s a cool way to get some exercise while exploring Auckland’s history and awesome spots.
Start off in the city center by Waitemata Harbour, then wander through the bustling downtown before heading inland to Albert Park and the university.
Next, head over to the 200-acre Auckland Domain and hike up Maunga-whau (Mount Eden) for some epic views of the city, harbor, and Gulf.
Keep on going through old neighborhoods to Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill), then follow ancient lava flows through Onehunga. Finally, finish the walk up at Manukau Harbour.
It’s a laid-back four-hour walk, and when you’re done, you can proudly tell your friends you walked from one side of New Zealand to the other!
Wenderholm Perimeter Path
– Media by melanie_melx
Address: Te Araroa Trail, Auckland 0994, New Zealand
Difficulty: Medium
Distance: 4.6 km
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
If you haven’t checked out Wenderholm in the middle of summer, you’re missing out. There’s so much to do here, but one thing you shouldn’t skip is taking a walk through the Wenderholm Perimeter Path.
The track has a bit of everything: boardwalks, steps, gravel, and grass. You’ll even do some scrambling up rough paths, which is pretty fun if you want a bit of a challenge.
On your way, you’ll also see awesome Māori history to soak in, particularly at the Maungatauhoro summit, a special spot marked as wāhi tapu.
You can’t miss the start of the path from the main car park – just follow the red markers! Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned walker, the path should take you around an hour and a half to complete.
And if you’re still up for more, Wenderholm is perfect for a chilled picnic under those stunning red pohutukawa trees. You can also hang out on the beach and dip in the clear blue waters.
Rangitoto Island Summit
– Media by clairew___
Website: http://doc.govt.nz/
Address: Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 7 km
Duration: 2 hours return
Rangitoto Island Summit Track is simply a must-do hike to one of Auckland’s outer islands. It’s a cool walk through New Zealand’s largest pohutukawa forest, where you’ll hear lots of birds chirping in the area.
To start, just hop on the 25-minute Fullers ferry from Britomart to get there. Once you arrive, there are a bunch of trails to explore, but plan on spending about an hour walking one way to reach the top.
Climbing up to the summit of Rangitoto is an easy day hike in Auckland. It’s not too tough, and when you reach the top, you’ll get amazing views. Prepare to see the lava fields and pōhutukawa forest, with the harbor and Auckland skyline in the distance.
Since this hike is quick and easy, you could also take a walk around the base of Rangitoto Island. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even cross over to the nearby Motutapu Island for a longer walk.
Just make sure you’re back in time for the last ferry, which usually leaves around 3:30 or 4:00 PM.
Auckland Foreshore Heritage Walk
– Media by tanet_piansanpipat
Address: St Marys Bay, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
Contact details:
Operating hours:
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: 5 km
Duration: 3 hours
The Foreshore Heritage Walk allows you to explore the city’s history and see what the shoreline used to look like. It starts at Point Erin in Herne Bay and goes all the way to the Parnell Baths – ideal for a hot day when you can finish off with a swim to cool down!
This walk takes about three hours and goes through parks, past some fancy old houses and gardens in St. Marys Bay. It even goes through land that belonged to Bishop Pompallier back in the 1850s.
Through this walk, you’ll see some old industrial buildings and the early merchant center of Auckland. After all these, much of the path follows the coastline under the shade of massive pōhutukawa trees.
Just a heads up, some parts of the walk are pretty steep, so you’ll need a decent level of fitness. And if you need a break, there are plenty of cafes along the way where you can grab a coffee and recharge before you keep going.
Ōmanawanui Track
– Media by ddw0510
Website: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/parks-recreation/Pages/park-details.aspx?Location=3482
Address: Whatipu Road, Huia, Auckland 0604, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 301 0101
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3 km
Duration: 1 to 2 hours and 30 minutes
Looking for a coastal stroll? Omanawanui is hands down one of the best coastal walks in Auckland.
It used to be quite a challenge with its steep hills, but now it’s totally manageable after getting a makeover. They’ve added box steps and boardwalks that make the entire walk much easier on your legs.
The track starts at Whatipū Beach with two entry points available – one from the road higher up the hill and the other from the carpark near the beach. Whether you begin from the top or the bottom, you’ll be walking out and back.
However, the carpark at the bottom offers more space, and starting from there makes it easier to explore Whatipu Beach after your walk.
Regardless of which entry point you take, along the way, you’ll pass through native bush with plenty of opportunities to soak up magnificent views of the West Coast, and Manukau Bar. if you’re lucky, you’ll see all the way down to Mt. Taranaki.
Ambury Regional Farm Park
– Media by asporkfull
Website: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/parks-recreation/Pages/park-details.aspx?Location=202#activities
Address: 43 Ambury Road, Māngere Bridge, Auckland
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: Trails vary
Duration: 26 minutes to 2 hours
Nestled by the bend of the Manukau Harbour, Ambury Park is a dreamland for animal lovers, with cute sheep, friendly pigs, majestic peacocks, and more. It’s the ultimate Auckland walk if you’re an animal lover like us.
The walk here is more like a relaxed wander – you set your own pace and route. For a quick 26-minute jaunt, try the Ambury Foreshore Path, which is a 2.3-km loop.
Or, if you’re up for a longer trek, explore both the park and nearby Māngere Mountain on the two-hour, 8.7-km track.
Now, this could easily turn into a delightful family-friendly outing as there are BBQs, drinking fountains, bathrooms, live shearing sessions, and picnic tables on-site. It’s perfect for a full day of farm life enjoyment for the whole family.
Te Henga Walkway
– Media by healthyandfithan
Address: 301 Bethells Road, Waitākere, Muriwai 0781, Auckland, New Zealand
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: 20 km (10km each way)
Duration: 6 hours
Te Henga Walkway is definitely one of the top walks in Auckland, and it’s not hard to see why. The scenery along the way is stunning, with shady forests and rugged beaches to explore.
You have a few different tracks to choose from too, depending on what you’re in the mood for.
You can stroll from Bethells Road to O’Neill’s Bay, which takes about 40 minutes one way. Or, if you’re up for a longer trek, try Bethells Road to Raetahinga Point, which takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes (better for experienced hikers).
Another option is Bethells Road to Constable Road, a longer walk of about 3 hours and 20 minutes. If you’re more into waterfalls, check out the Lake Wainamu track – there’s a waterfall with pools nearby where you can cool off with a swim.
Nevertheless, a round trip on the Te Henga Walkway will take you roughly six hours in total, covering 20km (10km each way).
Keep in mind that these tracks are a bit challenging, so you’ll need a decent level of fitness. They’re also not suitable for strollers or prams, so it’s probably best to leave the little ones at home for this adventure.
North Shore Coastal Walk
– Media by cine_eme
Website: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/new-zealand/auckland/north-shore-city-coastal-walk
Address: The North Shore, Auckland, New Zealand
Difficulty: Intermediate
Distance: 31.4 km
Duration: 6 to 7 hours
The Northern Beaches in Auckland offer some of the most stunning scenery around, and the North Shore Coastal Walk is your ticket to soak it all in. It’s perfect if you’re in the mood for a long, long walk.
Starting your adventure from Long Bay, you’ll stroll along the coastline, sometimes feeling the sand beneath your feet and other times navigating through the streets, all the way to Devonport.
The beauty of this walk? You can make it as short or as long as you fancy. You can even kick it off a bit further north if you’re feeling adventurous.
Along the way, you’ll find charming spots like Torbay, Browns Bay, and Rothesay Bay. There’s also Murrays Bay, Mairangi Bay, Campbell’s Bay, and Takapuna just waiting to be explored.
And for the cherry on top, why not wrap up your journey with a ferry ride across the gulf, straight into the heart of Auckland CBD? Any city trip is a great finish to a long, fulfilling walk!
St Johns Bush Walk
– Media by madhusraj and velsrisharminie
Address: 133 Gowing Drive, Meadowbank, Auckland 1072, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 274 637 072
Operating hours:
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.2 km
Duration: 30 minutes
Saint John’s Bush Path is a peaceful spot for a nature walk right in the heart of the city. The trail is pretty easy, so it’s perfect for a relaxed stroll, and the thick tree cover keeps things nice and cool, even on hot summer days.
It’s a great choice if you’re short on time, as the whole walk takes just around 30 minutes. You can start your walk from Ripon Crescent, St. Johns Road, or Gowing Drive, where you’ll find on-street parking available.
The path is a mix of gravel and boardwalk, with a few steps and a bridge over a little stream. Just follow the signs through the reserve, and when you’re done, you can either head out onto a residential street or just turn back the way you came.
Along the trail, you’ll spot lots of different plants – there are over 160 species here! Feel free to bring your furry pals along, as long as you keep them on a leash for everyone’s safety.
Tāwharanui Ecology Track Walk
– Media by tawharanui
Address: Takatu Road, Tāwharanui Peninsula 0986, New Zealand
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3.3 km
Duration: 1 hour
Apart from its famous beaches, Tāwharanui Regional Park is also perfect for a stroll, and the Ecology Trail is the top pick. It’s a one-hour walk where you’ll wander among tall nikau palms, giving you a glimpse of the area’s natural beauty.
The best part? Spotting all the birds. It’s like a little paradise here, with tieke/saddlebacks flitting around, kaka squawking overhead, and maybe even a takahe making a rare appearance.
If you’re unlucky and don’t spot any, just take your time along the track and stop to listen to the birdsong when it’s quiet.
After you finish the walk, and if you’re still feeling energetic, think about checking out some of the other trails in the park. There are some easy ones, like the Ecology Trail, as well as options that take you along the coastline or to hidden bays.
Dome Valley Summit Track
– Media by nz_wanderer
Website: Dome Valley 0981, New Zealand
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: 1.6 km
Duration: 2-hour return
Another fantastic hiking spot near Auckland is the Dome Valley Summit Track. It’s approximately an hour’s drive from the city to the trailhead, but it’s definitely worth the trip if you’re eager to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy a good leg stretch.
Beginning from a car park located just off State Highway 1, you’ll embark on a hike up to a scenic lookout point where you can admire a bird’s eye view of Warkworth town below.
Some folks call it quits here, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you can scramble up to the next lookout, though it might get a bit muddy in rainy weather. The track’s a bit rough with tree roots and uneven spots, so watch your step!
When you reach the summit of the dome, you’ll be treated to epic views all the way out to Taranga Island, part of the Hen and Chicken Islands.
Don’t forget to bring water and snacks to refuel along the way. And since the track’s near Matakana, go ahead and treat yourself to lunch in the village after your stroll.
Oakley Creek Walkway
– Media by tyson.elvis_pugbros
Website: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/parks-recreation/Pages/park-details.aspx?Location=1423
Address: 1510 Great North Road, Waterview, Auckland 1026, New Zealand
Contact details:
Operating hours:
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: 4.5 km
Duration: 1 hour
For those who enjoy urban walks, the Te Auaunga (Oakley Creek) Walkway is a great choice. The concrete path is a bit narrow and has plenty of steps, so it’s not suitable for scooters, bikes, or prams.
But don’t let that deter you! The walk takes about 60 minutes and is totally worth it for what you’ll find along the way. As you head south along the walkway, you’ll come across Oakley Creek Falls, the only waterfall in the Auckland city area.
Keep strolling, and you’ll spot a variety of plants and animals, both native and exotic. Keep your eyes peeled – you might even catch a rare glimpse of a New Zealand longfin eel!
If you have kids or a furry friend with you, consider heading to nearby Heron Park after your walk. There’s a flying fox for the kids to play on, and an off-leash area where your dog can run around and have some fun.
