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, at www.facebook.com/dykehikesnz 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
2nd February: Comans – Mercer Bay Loop – Ahuahu Track
This beautiful coastal walk above Karekare takes us to the popular Mercer Bay Track near Piha. There are lots of steps/uphill to start off with but your efforts are rewarded by gorgeous views. The seaside part of the loop has amazing views and takes you to the Te Kawerau a Maki Pou (Maori marker sculpture). We will meet in Karekare at the beach car park. The walk starts at the end of Watchman Road. Time: 3 hours approx.. Grade: Moderate due to the hill at the beginning.
2nd March: Greenhithe Wharf and Greenhithe East Tracks
We will combine these two tracks and a bit of the Greenhithe West track if possible. We’ll go through a mix of coastal, bush and urban areas. Grade: Moderate to Easy Time 2-3 hours. Meet at 2-4 Te Wharau Dr, Greenhithe.
6th April: 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. Daylight savings changes back today.
4th May: Henderson Creek Path plus
This hike follows the Henderson Creek and takes us through Tui Glen, one of Auckland’s’ oldest caravan parks with interesting plantings and a playground (!). We’ll explore another adjoining walk too. Meet at Henderson Park, at the corner of Henderson Valley Road and Stevie’s Lane. Time: 2.5- 3 hours. Grade: Easy
1st June: Mt William
A steep track through mature bush and then across farmland takes us up to the top of the Bombay Hills. Amazing views. Carpool to meet at the end of McMillan Road. Turn left onto Irish Road from State Highway 2. The Irish Road turnoff is not far after you get onto State Highway 2. Then at the end of Irish Road turn left onto McMillan Road. Time: 3 hours Grade: Hard
6th July: Pakuranga Rotary Walk
A mostly flat hike along a river’s edge. A different view of Tamaki River. Time: 2 hours. Grade: Easy. Meet at 35 Kerswell Place, Pakuranga.
3rd August: Montana Heritage Trail (Upper Kauri Track, Long Road Track, Fenceline Track)
This track goes through beautiful established Waitakere bush with kauri, clumps of Dracophyllum latifolium (which looks like something from Dr Seuss’s book “The Lorax”), hills, and plenty of bird life thanks to the pest control efforts of volunteers. Time: 4 hours. Grade: Moderate to hard due to hills. Meet at the car park at the end of Falls Road, which is off Te Henga Road. Falls Road takes you through a golf course to the car park. This area is sometimes called the Cascades.
7th September: Auckland Botanic Gardens/Totara Park
We’ll wander through the magnolia and camellia gardens into the bush area of Totara Park, and then walk back through the other end of the gardens through to the edible gardens near the café. Bring some lunch or grad something to take away at the café before the hike starts. Expect some short hill sections on a mostly easy hike. Grade: Easy to moderate. Time 2-3 hours. Meet at the Information Centre at the Botanic gardens, Manurewa.
5th October: Billy Goat Track, Kaueranga Valley. Spectacular walk through bush and the historical gold mining area. Fantastic views. Mature bush, Steep in places with tallish steps. River crossing at the start of the track. Recommend carpooling as it’s quite a drive. Traveling from the south into Thames turn tight into Banks Road to get to the track. The tracks start 9 km past the Visitor’s Centre on a gravel road. Time: 5-6 hours. Grade: Hard. Meet at the car park at the end of the road past the Visitor’s Centre.
2nd November: Urban coastal walk – Mangemangeora Reserve Loop and track to Shelley Park Beach We’ll explore the reserve and walk up the coast on a mix of beaches and footpaths. Meet at Mangemangeora Reserve at 108 Somerville Road. Parking is next to the barn. Time: about 3.5 hours. Grade: Easy
7th December: Arataki Visitor Centre/Nature Trail/Beveridge/Slip Track
The Visitor Centre is well worth checking out. We’ll start with the nature trail, which is a one hour loop with good interpretive signage and an impressive stand of Kauri. This will bring us back to the Visitor Centre. Then we’ll do another loop taking in the Beveridge and Slip tracks which is steeper and will take about 2 hours. Hikers can opt to do the shorter first loop only, which will be easy, mostly flat with some steeper sections near the Kauri, or do both loops. Both hikes, about 3-3.5 hours. Grade: Easy (Nature Trail) to moderate (both loops). Meet in front of the Visitor Centre.
www.facebook.com/dykehikesnz/
