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Home » Recent posts » Pounding Pavements: The Finest Running Tracks in Auckland

Pounding Pavements: The Finest Running Tracks in Auckland

Pounding Pavements The Finest Running Tracks in Auckland

If you’re pumped for a cardio grind across lush meadows or tree-lined paths, strap your sneaks and prepare to pound pavements Auckland-style.

From One Tree Hill to Tamaki Drive, we spill the 411 on the ultimate running tracks in Auckland that joggers, fresh air lovers, and strolling families shouldn’t miss.

We have deets on trail details, slick running tips, and more.

One Tree Hill

From the voigster

Address: Green Lane West, Epsom, Auckland 1051

Contact Details: +64 9 630 8485

Operating Hours: Daily – 7 am to 9 pm

Difficulty: Easy

Trail Length: 4.2 km

Just a stone’s throw away from the Auckland CBD, One Tree Hill is a quick 18-minute drive for those itching to escape the city’s hustle.

This place is a year-round running track that serves greenery and city views on a silver platter. It’s also wheelchair-accessible, family-friendly, and only takes around an hour and 5 minutes to complete.

You can run with your puppers too. However, ensure they’re on a leash for the safety of other runners and the local wildlife.

Tip: This spot is popular, so be on the lookout for peeps with strollers, bikers, and other joggers. Avoiding stroller jams and crashing with cyclists makes up for a fun, bruise-free run.

Tamaki Drive

From wanseop_photo

How To Get Here: Route

Difficulty: Moderate

Trail Length: 10 km

The flat terrain and few street intersections of Tamaki Drive offer a breezy run without uphill battles and minimal road dodging.

In addition, there are spectacular views along the path, such as Waitemata Harbor. The show-stealer, though, is Achilles Point, which is perched on the headland of Ladies Bay’s eastern end.

In terms of route, this waterfront track kicks off at the ferry terminal and goes all the way to St Heliers. Its 10-km length can leave your lungs gasping for dear air, so we suggest just running along Quay St if you aren’t a cardio god yet.

Tip: Run early in the morning to catch the sunrise over the waterfront. The cooler temperature is also ideal if you plan on completing the track.

Māngere Mountain Loop

From edenvawdrey

Address: 17 Domain Road, Māngere Bridge, Auckland 1072

Contact Details: 09 301 0101

Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Trail Length: 1.9 km

Website

For those with a hankering for some sweet views, the Māngere Mountain Loop is a peak running track.

This trek up Māngere Mountain, nestled in the heart of Māngere Bridge, offers a front-row seat to some legit volcanic cone action. Manukau Harbour, One Tree Hill, and the scenic Puketutu Island are also viewable from here.

During your run, feel free to bring along your four-legged buddy, but keep them on a leash because even the doggos need to play by the rules on this mountain journey.

Tips:
Wear sturdy shoes for the uneven terrain; the loop’s mix of gravel, dirt, and grass demands reliable footwear. Brands like Merrell and Salomon are fantastic picks.

Our team also suggests running during the golden hours for postcard-worthy vistas.

Maungawhau / Mt Eden Path

From deafushertravellife

Address: 250 Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024

Contact Details: 09 301 0101

Operating Hours: Daily – 7 am to 7 pm

Difficulty: 2.1 km

Trail Length: Easy

Website

If you’re looking for a run that won’t leave you face-planting in the mud, the Maungawhau/Mt Eden Path is a terrific choice thanks to its skid-resistant asphalt track.

This trail is a crowd-favorite, often receiving millions of visitors each year, so expect a bunch of locals and tourists during your run. As for the views, you’ll enjoy city panoramas and the iconic Sky Tower poking out on the skyline.

Regarding directions, you’ll start at the Puhi Huia Road entrance and follow the old summit road in a clockwise jaunt to the tihi or summit.

Tip: The path is exposed. Wearing sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses during the hotter months can make the difference between a heavenly and a hellish run.

Rangitoto Island Loop

From simplyglobetrotting_nz

Address: Hauraki Gulf, Auckland 1071

Difficulty: Moderate

Trail Length: 11.9 km

With a stride through the world’s largest pohutukawa forest, the Rangitoto Island Loop isn’t your average jog in the park (auckland parks).

Here, you’ll enjoy a workout with a view, offering picturesque scenes of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf that might make you forget you’re actually huffing and puffing.

For the adventurous souls, the Lava Caves near the summit are the hidden gems of this island jaunt. Just ensure to pack a light source; they’re dark and full of terrors, specifically their steep and slippery portions.

Tips: Bring sufficient food and water, as there are no stores on the island. Also, dogs aren’t permitted, so leave your furry companions at home.

Devonport Loop

From alipalibee

Address: 1 Queens Parade, Devonport, Auckland 0624

Difficulty: Moderate

Trail Length: 5.2 km

Commencing at the ferry terminal, the Devonport Loop isn’t just a running track; it’s a pathway that features urban, ocean, and harbor scenery.

There’s also Mount Victoria for a skyline spectacle of Auckland city and the North Head Reserve for gulf horizons.

And if you’re into dramatic endings, Devonport is one of the most jaw-dropping spots to witness North Shore sunsets. Get you’re heart pumping around this time for enchanting views your Insta followers can swoon over.

Tip:  Check the forecast before hitting the road. This ensures that your scenic views won’t be disrupted by unexpected rain.

Hobsonville Point Coastal Walkway

From visitauckland

Address: Boundary Road, Hobsonville, Auckland 0616

Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Trail Length: 5.5 km

Website

Hitting the kid-friendly Hobsonville Point Coastal Walkway is a no-brainer, especially if you have kiddos who want to torch calories too.

With an elevation gain that barely breaks a sweat at 54 meters, this well-paved coastal walkway is an easy, mostly flat terrain.

It also doesn’t lack in parks, picnic spots, and playgrounds. If that’s not enough, the track has an off-leash dog haven at Te Onekiritea Point, also known as Bomb Point. 

Tip: If possible, consider walking on weekdays to avoid larger crowds.

Panmure Basin Path

From ejoyalbert

Address: 106A Ireland Road, Mount Wellington, Auckland 1060

Contact Details: 09 301 0101

Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Trail Length: 3.1 km

Website

Panmure Basin Path may be easy, but it certainly isn’t a snoozefest of a track. Birds flock here, there are three playgrounds along the trail, and a few hilly sections add a dash of challenge.

Additionally, a great section of the track is shaded, and the pavement is well-maintained. It’s also not too busy, but you still need to stay alert, as kids love to cycle here.

Tip: The trail used to form a loop, but due to the closure of Jubilee Bridge until 2025, prepare to backtrack along the path instead of finishing the entire circular walk.

Orakei Basin Walkway

From sammwatsson

Address: 191 Orakei Road, Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland 1050

Contact Details: 09 301 0101

Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Trail Length: 3.1 km

Website

Orakei Basin Walkway is one of Auckland’s well-kept secrets. It’s a mere 16-minute drive from the city center, but the watery and forest views here make it look like an oasis hundreds of kilometers away from the urban frenzy.

This well-maintained pathway, snaking along the side of the Orakei Basin, also has shady areas and stairs for runners seeking a scaling jog. You can also bring your fur babies; the track is dog-friendly and even has an off-leash area.

Tip: If it rained before your visit here, consider waterproof or water-resistant shoes. Orakei Basin Walkway can get muddy and slippery.

Westhaven Promenade

From visitauckland

Address: Wynyard QuarterAuckland CBD, Auckland 1010

Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Trail Length: 3.1 km

Nothing beats stress like a good old coastal strut along the Westhaven Promenade, stretching from the Wynyard Quarter in the CBD to the Auckland Harbor Bridge.

Running here is a walk (auckland walks) in the park. The track only has a 17-meter elevation gain, and its pathways, usually packed with kiddos on bikes and scooters, are in tip-top condition.

Westhaven Promenade’s head-turning feature, however, is its marina brimming with boats. This stunning waterfront scenery is a sight for sore eyes and a boost for tired legs.

Tip: Make sure to spray on some insect repellent, especially since there are areas here where pesky mosquitoes are buzzing around.

Waiatarua Path

From anymc1551

Address: 98 Abbotts Way, Meadowbank, Auckland 1050

Contact Details: 09 301 0101

Operating Hours: Daily – 6 am to 6 pm

Difficulty: Easy

Trail Length: 2.7 km

Website

The Waiatarua Path proves that a suburb could be a scenic running track too.

What sets this path apart is its middle-of-nowhere charm, offering diverse points of interest like a gum forest, a wetland portion, and exercise areas nestling on flat grasslands.

As you run, you may also stop by information boards detailing the track’s ecology and history. Be vigilant, though, as mountain bikers love exploring this haven.

Tip: There are speed bumps here, namely the tree roots and sections with uneven surfaces. Watch out for these tripping hazards, or prepare for an afternoon of washing muck off your face.

Eskdale Reserve Walk

From spamfromampi

Address: 226 Eskdale Road, Birkenhead, Auckland 0626

Contact Details: 09 301 0101

Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Trail Length: 3.2 km

Website

Eskdale Reserve Walk isn’t your typical Sunday afternoon stroll; it’s a thrilling sprint through the bush shaded by exotic and native trees.

With an 80-meter elevation gain, it’s also the kind of challenge that leaves you sweating bullets but grinning ear to ear. Furthermore, the trail’s shady spots make it a year-round hit, and the local birdlife adds a touch of serenity to your adrenaline-fueled run.

We recommend not running here after a rainy day, though. The unpaved sections tend to accumulate a lot of mud, which could be the bane of joggers with newly bought running kicks (based on personal experience).

Tip: If you’re a bird enthusiast, bring binoculars. Eskdale Reserve is home to various bird species, like eastern rosellas and cuckoos.

Auckland Domain Loop

From kitsosge

Address: Park Road, Parnell, Auckland 1010

Contact Details: 09 301 0101

Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Trail Length: 3.5 km

Website

The Auckland Domain Loop’s diverse terrain, encompassing bushy areas, gravel paths, and forest cover, provides a refreshing escape into nature.

Moreover, this loop caters to individuals with average fitness levels. Newbies can stick to the flatter path, while seasoned runners can hit the steeper areas.

Tip: Pop by the loop’s Winter Gardens, a botanical display with rare flora.