When in Auckland, a visit to the West Coast and its beautiful Waitakere bush walks is an experience you can’t afford to miss. It’s the best way to take advantage of the city’s proximity to natural landscapes and lush rainforest. The Waitakere Ranges National Park spans 16,000 hectares of beautifully preserved natural features that include streams, river crossings, and heavily forested trails. Depending on your skill level and on how much time you have, you can explore trails ranging from a few hours to several hours to complete.
In this article I have included 8 bush walks that you can add to your must visit list when in Auckland and wanting to escape the city to be one with nature.
Mercer Bay Loop Track
Let’s kick things off with this easy and family friendly Waitakere bush walk that lets you experience the beauty of the Ranges in their full glory. The Mercer Bay Loop Track starts above Piha beach and extends for 6.3 kilometres in length. It is moderately trafficked (due to its popularity and accessibility).
This trail is sought after because of the chance to see the site of an important Māori pā (fortified village), as well as the coastal views of the native forest. On the way, you might spot gorgeous wild flowers. The good news is that the trail is open all year round. Plus, you may take your dog with you during the hike as long as you keep them on leash and stay on the track.
Kitekite falls Track
Taking just over an hour to complete, the Kitekite Track is a must-do if you want to experience a bush walk in a nutshell. Explore one of the best Waitākere bush walks and discover why it is one of the most prized natural wonders in Auckland.
The highlight of your walk along the Kitekite Track is the 40-metre high Kitekite waterfall. At the base, there is a small pool that you can dip in (great idea when hiking in the summer!). Otherwise, you can continue on through the rest of the track and then make a loop on your way back.
The terrain on this track is at times steep and muddy. Make sure you wear proper footwear and maybe a walking stick. Nonetheless, it is worth the effort for the breathtaking views you get to enjoy.
Kitekite is located at Piha Beach, for more info on how to get there, jump over to PIHA & ANAWHATA BEACH – A LOCAL’S ULTIMATE GUIDE
Bethells Beach/Te Henga Walkway
No exploration of the Waitakere Ranges would be complete without visiting Bethells Beach. Therefore, the Bethells Beach (Te Henga) Walkway is for serious enthusiasts wanting to see the highlights of this regional park.
The Te Henga Walkway track starts from Bethells and ends in Muriwai Beach (although you can switch the direction without issues). This trail spoils you with stunning views of the Tasman Sea. Don’t forget to check out the gannet colony at Muriwai during your walk. This trail is more of a coastal walk than a bush walk, although you get to traverse some portions of the Waitakere Ranges worth a glance.
This walk isn’t for beginners because it follows coastal cliffs with some sections rutted and steep (especially after rain). It takes around 4 hours one way. To safely complete your day trip, on the day of your adventure, you will need to grab two cars and leave one of them at the end of the track, then drive back to the beginning with the other. Giving you a heads up since there is no public transport between Muriwai and Bethells.
To read more about Bethells Beach and the surrounding area, jump over to EXPLORING BETHELLS BEACH & LAKE WAINAMU – A LOCAL’S GUIDE
Tramline Track Walk
This is one of the most unique bush walk experiences in the Waitakere Ranges. At about 6.5 kilometres long, it is an easy walk so it is suited for hikers of all ages. The special thing about this one is that it runs across an old tramline track. Don’t be surprised to see a portion of this trail under maintenance.
Nonetheless, it is an excellent Waitakere bush walk as it is filled with stunning flora – mostly large Kauri trees. It can also be fun to explore the tramline tunnels along your walk. This trail takes about 2 hours to complete and there are toilet facilities for your convenience.
Whatipu Caves Track
One of the most interesting bush walk experiences in the Waitakere Range is the Whatipu Caves Track, especially if you love exploring caves. If, like my girlfriend, you are super scared of enclosed spaces, you should skip this one. If not, then this is a must-add to your list of bush walks to try.
The track itself is 3.1 kilometres long and approximately 40 km from the Auckland CBD. As the name suggests, the majority of the track will have you exploring old caves that were once used as shelters by the earlier settlers of the land. From the carpark, you will make your way through native bush until you reach the caves. Some portions of the track can get muddy especially after the rain, so make sure to wear appropriate footwear.
Lion Rock Track
Lion Rock is one of the most popular sights in the historic seaside village of Piha. It is a must if you are looking to do one of the Waitākere bush walks but want a bit more of a challenge than your usual hiking trails.
This bush walk trail is located in the vicinity of Piha beach and features steep slopes. It is not suited for beginners as it takes a bit of effort to climb. The rock formation appears to be a lion sitting on the shore, and is where the iconic landmark got its name from. This walk takes about half an hour to complete. It’s time well-spent because you get to do some bird watching and can marvel at the view along the way.
Once you reach the grassy outlook on the top of this rock formation, you can soak in the amazing panorama.
If you want more information on Piha Beach in general and how to get there, jump to PIHA & ANAWHATA BEACH – A LOCAL’S ULTIMATE GUIDE
Gibbons Track Walk
This is one of the longest trails in the Waitakere Ranges spanning a total of 14 kilometres in length. It also ranges from medium to difficult level. If you are a serious hiking enthusiast, it is highly recommended. You will embark on your hike from the Company Stream Bridge that you’ll find behind Karekare Beach. The track features enthralling views of the flora in the region.
It takes roughly 3 hours to complete this track, rising to an elevation of 276 metres at the highest point. The ascent can be challenging, depending on your skill level and experience. Thankfully, there are toilet facilities and you can get mobile coverage throughout the track. As always, make sure you’re prepared, bring an appropriate footwear and plenty of water!
Upper Huia Reservoir Track
Lastly, on the best Waitākere bush walks list, there’s the Upper Huia Reservoir Track. It is located about 35 km from the city centre of Auckland. In terms of difficulty level, it ranges from moderate to difficult. However, it is manageable enough that kids can tag along for this hike.
Some of the highlights to this bush walk include the old mine and a couple of dams. However, the majority of your walk will take you through a forest filled with Nikau palms (endemic to New Zealand) and other native trees, along with waterfalls and creeks. This reservoir walk was once temporarily closed by the Auckland Council in order to control dieback disease but is now available for tourists to hike again.
Whether it’s walk, track, or trail, New Zealand in general is well prepared for you to explore it. You will notice plenty of signage along the way, maps at the entrance to more difficult tracks, as well as information on how to enjoy the views without impacting the surrounding environment negatively.
If you come prepared, stick to the trail and don’t disturb the nature, you’ll have a great time bushwalking or, as Kiwis say, tramping, especially when you remember that no snake or bear can ever reach you out here.
I hope you found this list of Waitakere Bush walks helpful. Now that you’ve tramped West Auckland, how about checking out the other side with my East Auckland Walks – My Eight Top Picks
Which of these bush walk experiences in the Waitakere Ranges do you plan to explore?
Super helpful! Planning on doing the te henga walkway soon!!