This is the dyke hikes list for the year. Hikes will be on the first Sunday of the month unless otherwise stated. For the most up-to-date information check this site or our Facebook page.
If you want to join us on a hike please contact Ingrid at 027 222 0608 or by email hike @ lesbian.co.nz .

Unless otherwise stated below, the walks begin at 11am. Bring all the food and water that you’ll need, clothes for any season, hat and sunblock.
The walks are graded into easy (okay for regular walking shoes, not many hills), moderate (boots recommended, expect a few hills and maybe a stream crossing) and hard (boots required, tracks may be rough, steep hills, reasonable fitness helps to enjoy these ones).
If you are not an experienced hiker we require you to have completed two moderate hikes before you join us on a hike graded hard.

The Walking Essentials

Take a look at the following list of essentials you need to take on a hike or half day walk from the Auckland City Council website:

Good quality, closed-toe solid footwear. Hiking boots are best
Layered clothing. Thermal layers of fleece, polypropylene or merino are good for our often damp conditions. Leave your cotton t-shirts and jeans at home, as they’re no good for keeping you warm and dry
Rain jacket
Warm hat and gloves – yep, even in summer
A minimum of two litres of drinking water
Food for the day
A head torch and small first-aid kit, including any personal medication
Sun safety – sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat
A mobile phone in case you need it, but don’t rely on it to always work. Mobile phone coverage can be poor in outdoor areas
Always scrub and spray at kauri dieback cleaning stations when entering and exiting forested areas.

Kauri Die Back: this disease is killing Kauri in the Auckland Waitakere Ranges and beyond. To avoid spreading this disease please ensure all boots and 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 We are staying out of the Waitakere Ranges in 2019.

27th January: 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.

3rd February: Dome Valley

This track has recently been upgraded to protect
a spectacular grove of kauri. The track includes great views to the South and
North. We’ll pass through forest rich in Taraire and other broadleaf species.
The track follows an undulating ridge that can be steep in places. Meet at the
Dome Valley Tearooms carpark, 7 km north of Warkworth on State Highway 1.
Grade: Moderate to hard.

3rd March: Urban coastal walk – Mangemangeora
Reserve to Cockle Bay

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 April: Daly’s Clearing Loop, Karangahake
Gorge

This track goes through typical Kaimai Ranges
forest with Tawa, Nikau and Kohekohe. One stream crossing. Carpool recommended.
Meet at the end of Franklin Road. Time: 4 hours. Grade: Moderate to hard.

5th May: Shakespeare Park

We’ll take the Tiri tiri track around
the perimeter of the park. This walk goes through a mix of bush and open
pasture. There are great views out to Tiritiri Matangi Island and the Waitemata
Harbour. Meet at the first car park inside the park (past Army Bay) About 4 hours.
Grade: Moderate.

2nd June: Helena Bay Track, Northland

We’re staying at a bach in Helena Bay and doing part of the following walk, which is part of Te Araroa Trail. Let me know if you want to join us for this hike so accommodation can be organized. Bring your sleeping bag and food. We’ll drive up on Saturday night (1st June) and drive home after the hike on Sunday.

Helena Ridge Track – 9km / 4hr

From Webb Rd, climb the stile under the “High Chapparal” sign and make use of the cleaning station to ensure no dirt/mud on your footwear.

We follow an old farm track that sidles around steep pasture where manuka trees are re-generating. Through a small bush before the benched track ends and we begin to climb a steep hill to meet a ridgeline that undulates through regenerating bush.

While there is the occasional short scramble, the track is well formed and easy (though uphill most of the way) walking.

We come through here with agreement from a number of landowners so please respect this and do not make camp anywhere on this track.

At the highest point, the track turns east, alternating between pasture, farm track and native bush. Here you can enjoy glimpses of the magnificent canopy of large native trees below and the coast in the distance. When on farm track you may encounter some closed gates, often stretchy electrified wires – carefully use the plastic handles to open and leave gates open or closed as you found them.

Grade: hard, steep in places.

7th July: Cossey – Massey Loop, Hunua Ranges

This loop walk takes us through some typical
Hunua Ranges forest. Grade: Moderate. Meet at the carpark for the Hunua Falls, 233 Falls
Road. Time: 3 hours.

4th August: Botanic Gardens, Manurewa

Winter at the Botanic Gardens gives us magnolias
galore and the spectacular African garden in full bloom. We’ll also go through
a small section of bush in neighbouring Totara Park. Meet on the steps on the café
side of the Information Centre. Time: 3 hours. Grade: Easy.

1st September: Sandy Pine Forest and Beach,
Helensville.

Meet at the end of Rimmer Road, south of Helensville.
Time: 3.5 hours. Grade: Moderate

6th October: Volcanic Cones Loop

Urban walk exploring a few of Auckland City’s
volcanic cones.

Meet at 11am at the end of Belvedere Street which is off Mt St John Ave. Epsom.

Time: 3 hours. Grade: Easy to moderate.

3th November: Billy Goat Track, Kaueranga
Valley Due to injury this hike is now self led. Ensure you have a good map and first aid kit.

Spectacular walk through bush and the
historical gold mining area. Fantastic views. Steep in places. River crossing at the start of the track. Travelling
from the south into Thames turn tight into Banks road to get to the track. The
tracks start 9 km past the Visitor Centre on a gravel road. Time: 5 hours.
Grade: Hard

1st December: Urban walk near Tamaki Estuary. Details TBA Grade: Easy

Please contact Ingrid at 027 222 0608, the email button below or by email hike @ lesbian.co.nz for hike details.

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