The Best Walking Tracks in Auckland

It’s no secret that if I could move to the mountains tomorrow and live out my days hiking, I would.

This year, I’ve pledged to spend more time outside. For my physical health (I genuinely believe there is no better exercise than walking). But mostly for my mental health. I crave being in wide, open spaces and would gladly spend every weekend walking.

Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) has a bad reputation, but it’s undeniably beautiful and has epic walking tracks to explore if you, too, want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life at every possible opportunity!

Here are my top 5 Auckland hikes and walks to do this summer (all distances are from Auckland CBD).

The Cossey Massey Loop Track

Hunua Ranges – Easy/moderate – 8km/2.5 hour loop

Nestled in the Hunua Ranges, just 45 minutes away from Auckland CBD, the Cossey Massey Loop Track is a walk in Auckland that’s perfect for everyone.

I hadn’t ventured out into the Hunua Ranges until recently, often favouring the Waitakares which are closer to home. But the Cossey Massey Loop has it all – shady spots to escape the sun, swing bridges, waterholes and a great spot for a picnic.

The track starts from the Hunua Falls Carpark where you’ll cross over the bridge and take a left towards the Cossey Loop Track. When the trail splits, I suggest going anti-clockwise to save your lungs. This way is steep, but nothing like walking clockwise. You’ll save yourself a long trip up stairs and get the best views along the stream side at the end.

Follow the well maintained track around Cossey Dam until you find your way back to the carpark. There are a few steep sections and stairs in places (I’d recommend you have a moderate level of fitness before heading out) but overall it wasn’t too challenging and the views over Cossey Dam are worth it.

Once you’ve finished your hike, it’s just an 80m stroll to Hunua Falls! The falls are super easy (and accessible) to get to and are now one of my favourite waterfalls in the city. Relax and stretch out on the grass after your walk or do what we did and buy some cold drinks from the nearby stand! Delish.

The Long Bay Path

Long Bay Regional Park – Easy – 3.5km/1 hour loop

Just a short 25-minute drive from Auckland’s CBD lies a hidden gem: the Long Bay Path. Long Bay Beach is a well-known Auckland icon, the track tucked away at the far end of the shoreline is often overlooks.

Start walking along the gravel track at the far end of the beach, near Long Bay Village and the Long Bay Surf Club. The track winds upwards for about 1km, ascending to the cliff tops before immediately descending into the neighbouring bays.

This family friendly Auckland walk offers a bit of a stretch, but nothing too challenging for little legs. Plus, the views are insane – especially during sunrise and sunset.

My tip: Before heading home, make a pit stop at Long Bay Village. Grab a drink at the Long Bay Surf Club or treat yourself to one of the famous cream-filled donuts from New World Long Bay. They’ve got a cult following for a reason!

Mercer Bay Loop Track

West Auckland – Easy – 2km/1 hour

Open year-round, the Mercer Bay Loop is one of Auckland’s most popular walking tracks and an excellent hike for beginners, dogs and kids! The effort vs reward ratio is out of control.

The well-maintained track begins at Te Ahuna Carpark. Once you start walking, you’ll be (almost) immediately greeted with awesome clifftop views out over the West Coast. Remember to be careful, keep an eye on any kiddies and avoid the cliff edges – there are no barriers, and a 200m cliff drops into the seas below.

Many other blog posts say there’s a good mixture of shady bush and open air path to walk through. I didn’t think there was LOTS of bush to walk through, and it can get pretty hot in the middle of the day (especially in summer!), so make sure you bring a hat and sunscreen.

Follow the track until you reach the lookout point. We stopped here for lunch on one trip (pack a picnic!), which was perfect. Then, you’ll loop round to the left and return to the carpark.

I’ve visited this track a handful of times. During the day, it’s always full of other people. My tip? Do what we did and wake up early to arrive for sunrise. Sure, sunrise on the West Coast isn’t as good as the East Coast (go figure), but we had the track to ourselves, the sky glowed pink, and it was the PERFECT start to our morning out west (plus then we got to head back into town for brekkie and a coffee after!).

It’s not always easy to find epic dog friendly walks in Auckland, but this is one of them. As long as you keep your dogs on lead, you’ll have a blast.

Omanawanui Track

West Auckland – Moderate – 5km/2.5 hours

Here’s an absolute stunner in Auckland! The Omanawanui Track recently re-opened in Auckland’s Waitakere Ranges for the first time since the kauri dieback rahui in 2018.

Due to the council’s recent investment, the Omanawanui Track has had a revamp and is incredibly easy to follow. You’ll spend time winding through native bush and forest; the path is clear-cut with bridges, stairs and boardwalks.

You can start the walk from either end, but I’d recommend starting from the Whatipu Beach car park so that you are rewarded with beautiful back views. However, the road out from Huia is windy, uneven and narrow. So, make sure to take it slow!

From Whatipu Beach, the track takes you up many, many steps (tip: the views are so good that you can get away with a ‘photo op’ rather than admitting you need to catch your breath) to the first ridge.

As you follow the trail, you will descend into native bush before claiming more steps to an even more impressive lookout. It’s hard work and a good trek uphill (in some places assisted by chains), but worth it once you reach the trig station (241m). There is a beautiful viewing platform at the top where you can catch your breath, have your lunch and take in endless beautiful views of Manukau Harbour and the Whatipu seaside.

Return via the same path (the views are right in front of you this time!). If you have time, make sure you check out Whatipu Beach. This is a beautiful black sand beach with dunes, great fishing and a small beach lighthouse. Make sure to take your shoes with you in the summer as it gets hot!

Karamatua to Mount Donald McLean

West Auckland – Moderate – 11.5km/4 hours

Karamatua to Mount Donald McLean is one of the few tracks still open in the Waitakere Rangers due to Kauri Dieback. This scenic hike takes you from the picturesque Karamatua Valley near Huia to the summit of Mount Donald McLean, treating you to breathtaking views extending across Manukau Harbour to the Auckland CBD.

The track is in excellent condition and incredibly easy to follow, with a straightforward one-path-in, one-path-out setup starting near the Karamatura Valley Campground.

To start, you’ll walk up lots of steps in the first 45 minutes (approx.) of your hike, but it’s a small price to pay for the views up the top of Mount Donald McLean. Once you’ve made it up the steps (about 1200), the walk up to the summit is relatively flat and passes over a boardwalk (the perfect spot for morning tea!).

We started walking at 8:30am, and I don’t think you’d want to arrive any later than that. When we finished (around 12pm) the carpark was heaving with people. Start early, and then meander back to the car slowly. There are so many waterfalls and waterholes to cool off in on the way back to the car, so remember to pack your togs and a towel!

My tip? Finish your walk with lunch or a drink at The Huia Store (they serve the best fish and chips I’ve ever eaten. Big call? Trust me).

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