Hikes will be on the first Sunday of the month, starting at 11am unless otherwise stated. If you would like to join us on a hike please send a message from our facebook page, or contact Ingrid by email at hike@lesbian.co.nz or call or text 027 222 0608.
Please stay at home if unwell.
Bring all the food and water you’ll need, clothes for any season, a hat and sunblock. The walks are graded as easy (okay in strong walking shoes, not many hills, good tracks), moderate (boots recommended, expect a few hills and stream crossings are possible, moderate fitness needed), and hard (boots required, tracks may be rough and difficult, steep hills possible. A reasonable level of fitness will help you to enjoy these hikes). If you are not an experienced hiker, we require you to complete two moderate hikes before you join us in a hike graded hard.
Kauri Die Back: this disease is killing Kauri in the Waitakere Ranges. To avoid spreading this disease please ensure all boots and walking poles are clean before entering any park or reserve and follow instructions for disinfecting boots on arrival at infected and at risk sites. For more information go to www.kauridieback.co.nz
3rd December
Wairere Falls, South of Te Aroha
This walk takes us to the beautiful Wairere Falls, with spectacular views from the base and the top of the falls. The track is steep in parts with a lot of steps. 3-4 hr return. We’ll explore some of the tracks at the top of the waterfall. Car pool recommended. Meet at the car park at the end of Goodwin Road at the falls’ track entrance. Grade: Moderate to hard.
Hikes for 2024
4th February: Blockhouse Bay/Waikowhai and Manukau Harbour’s Edge
We’ll start at the western end of this walk. This hike takes us through coastal bush, parks and along the harbour’s edge at low tide. Expect views across the harbour, a mix of bush, urban streets and possibly muddy foreshore. Meet at the end of Gilletta Ave, off White Swan Road. Time: 3-4 hours. Grade: Easy to moderate.
3rd March: Tawharanui
This predator proofed peninsula is spectacular. The beach is gorgeous, and there are more and more of our rarer native birds here every year. There are a range of walks so hikers can choose shorter or longer sections. Some bush, some open farmland. It’s quite a drive so car pooling is recommended. Meet at the car park at the end of the road into Tawharanui. Time: 3 to 4 hours. Grade: Moderate to hard.
7th April: Mt Pirongia to Hihikiwi Lookout.
A challenging and rewarding hike. Great views of the west coast harbours. The forest in this park is mature and unlike the Hunua or Waitakere forests. The track is steep in places and could be muddy. Meet at Pirongia West Road entrance to the park. Approx 6 hours. Grade: Hard
5th May: Ambury Park/Mangere Bridge Foreshore (late summer/autumn)
Ambury Park has coastal sections and a collection of farm animals. Also, around this time of year migratory birds gather along the Mangere Bridge foreshore before flying North. This is an easy walk with beautiful views across the harbour. This area can be windy, so dress accordingly. Meet at the main car park in Ambury Park. 2.5- 3 hours. Grade: Easy
2nd June: Albany Hike
From “The Landing” at the end of Wharf Road we will walk towards Albany, following the river. We will then cross the river, and head over to three different areas of bush, where we will walk through a variety of trees including nikau, puriri and manuka. We will also visit a small waterfall and will then follow another arm of the river and return via the inner harbour. Grade: Moderate to easy. Time: 3-4 hours. Meet at the Landing at the end of Wharf Road.
7th July: Shakespeare Regional Park
This park has a predator proof fence and is being developed as an open sanctuary. We’ll walk through mostly open farmland, with some beaches and bush patches. There are great views across the harbour. Grade: Moderate Time: 3- 4 hours. Meet at the Heritage Trail carpark which is just inside the Park – not at the beach/Army Bay.
4th August: Waiheke Island Forest Heart
Waiheke Island Reserves. We’re going to beautiful Waiheke to walk the Forest Heart section of Te Ara Hura. We’ll walk though reserves, past vineyards, up to Trig Hill and along the coast. Take the 10 am ferry to Waiheke. Meet us on the ferry or at Matiatia wharf. We’ll then take the bus to Rocky Bay from the Matiatia wharf, and walk through part of the Forest Heart walk. Easy to moderate. 3.5 – 4 hrs not including buses and ferries.
1st September: Coast to Coast – Grafton to Maungakiekie/Mt Eden and the Cornwall Park Loop
Start at the Grafton Train Station. We’ll walk there and back. Expect mostly urban walking with park areas around Mt Eden and Cornwall Park. Grade Easy to Moderate (steep track up and down Mt Eden). Time: 4 hours approx.
6th October: Rangitoto Summit Walk
We’ll take the 9:15 am ferry to Rangitoto Island and walk up to the summit. The island is a unique environment with very rocky volcanic terrain covered mainly by a pohutukawa forest. There are lava caves to explore and interesting plants including kidney ferns. Grade: Moderate to easy. Time: most of the day due to the ferry trip.
3rd November: Hapuakohe Track: Southern End
This is a track for experienced hikers. There’s an exceptional view from the trig. The track sidles along a ridge to Pukeitionga Station (488 m), after ascending from the Mangapiko Valley Scenic Reserve. Here, the bush canopy is predominantly tawa, kohekohe, pigeon wood and pukatea. Meet at the end of Mangapiko Valley Road, limited parking in the paddock. Close the gate after you go through it. Time: 4 to 5 hours. Grade: Hard.
1st December: Atiu Regional Park: Oruawharo River Trail
This loop trail allows us to explore the whole park and provides great views of the park, the Kaipara Harbour and has good picnic spots. We will extend the walk slightly by taking the side trail to Ti Tree Point. Time: approx. 3 hours. Grade: Moderate.
