Karekare to Whatipu Beach and Coast Loop, Waitakere Ranges, Auckland, New Zealand

Karekare to Whatipu Beach and Coast Loop, Waitakere Ranges, Auckland, New Zealand

Features: Black sand beach, Wild coast, Yellow Lupins

Car Park: (36°59'10.5"S 174°28'45.3"E) (-36.986241, 174.479246)

Karekare Beach Car Park

Route: Karekare Beach Car Park -- Pohutukawa Glade Walk -- Karekare Beach -- Pararaha Stream Mouth -- Whatipu Coast -- Whatipu -- Gibbons Track -- Muir Track -- Pararaha Valley Track -- Buck Taylor Track -- Zion Hill Track -- Pohutukawa Glade Walk -- Karekare Beach Car Park

Total Distance: 21.2km

Total Uphill: 1160m

Walking Time: Total 5hrs20min

(Karekare Beach Car Park to Whatipu by beach -- 2hrs,

Whatipu/Gibbons Track to Pararaha Valley-- 1hr40min,

Pararaha Valley/Zion Hill Track to Karekare Beach Car Park -- 1hr40min)

Season: Late November

Track Status: Wet due to rain

Weather: Cloudy & Rainy

Relevant Information:

Auckland, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, Karekare Beach, Hillary Trail, Gibbons Track, Muir Track, Pararaha Valley Track, Buck Taylor Track, Zion Hill Track

Kohukohunui Trig from Upper Mangatawhiri Dam, Hunua Ranges, Auckland, New Zealand

Kohukohunui Trig from Upper Mangatawhiri Dam, Hunua Ranges, Auckland, New Zealand

Features: Kohukohunui Trig at 688m is the highest peak in Hunua Ranges. Tracks on ridges, Upper Mangatawhiri Dam, Upper Mangatawhiri Reservoir

Car Park: (37°05'27.3"S 175°09'15.4"E) (-37.090908, 175.154274)

Upper Mangatawhiri Car Park

Route: Upper Mangatawhiri Car Park -- Lilburne Road -- Rata Ridge Track -- Mangatangi Ridge Track-- Kohukohunui Trig Track -- Kohukohunui Trig -- Kohukohunui Trig Track -- Upper Mangatawhiri Track -- Ernies Track -- Lilburne Road -- Upper Mangatawhiri Car Park

Total Distance: 24.0km

Total Uphill: 1610m

Walking Time: Total 7hrs30min

(Upper Mangatawhiri Car Park to Piggotts Campsite -- 1hr,

Piggotts Campsite to Junction of Mangatangi Ridge Track -- 25min,

Mangatangi Ridge Track to Kohukohunui Trig -- 2hr20min,

Kohukohunui Trig to Junction of Ernies Track -- 2hr15min,

Ernies Track to Piggotts Campsite -- 30min,

Piggotts Campsite to Upper Mangatawhiri Car Park -- 1hr)

Season: Early November

Track Status: Dry and Well-maintained

Weather: Clear & Sunny

Relevant Information:

Auckland, Hunua Ranges Regional Park, Kohukohunui Trig, Hunua Peak, Rata Ridge Track, Mangatangi Ridge Track, Upper Mangatawhiri Track, Ernies Track