Hiking the Ōmanawanui Track

Auckland may be New Zealand’s big city, but that doesn’t mean that you have to feel cut off from nature. The wild west coast, less than an hour’s drive from the city, is full of eye-wateringly beautiful hiking tracks. So, as soon as the weekend hits, for us it’s always “grab your boots and go go go..!”

Some of the best views can be found at the newly re-opened Ōmanawanui track. This track had previously been closed for an upgrade for the best part of the last three years. Situated in the Waitakere Ranges, the Ōmanawanui track will afford you sweeping views of the rugged coastline as you climb tracks cut into the lush green cliffs. Be warned – you’ll feel the burn. This is part of the route that Edmund Hillary used for training before setting off on his famous adventures!

The track is 12km long. It forms part of the longer multi-day Te Ara Tūhura / Hillary Trail). The inclines mean it will take you about 5 hours each way. But even if you just walk a shorter section it’s still worth it. The views are absolutely spectacular right from the beginning.

How to get there

The drive from Auckland takes less than an hour. And there’s plenty of space to park at the Ōmanawanui track carpark. The drive itself is a little bit hairy at times, as the road eventually gives way to dirt track. It’s narrow enough that you don’t want to be going too fast!

What to bring

There’s a decent bit of incline so I’d suggest wearing walking boots, but you can do the walk in trainers. Bring water, and some extra layers in case it’s windy, and in summer suncream is a definite must! There are some beautiful beaches along the coast. As well as some pretty cool waterfall spots. So pack some swimmers if you want to make a day of it and explore the rest of the area.

Difficulty

Although I wouldn’t class this trail as super hard (some keen beans even use it for trail running), there is a section where you need to pull yourself up a steep bit with a chain. So it wouldn’t be accessible to anyone who is not too steady on their feet.

Is there accommodation nearby?

Yes, there are a few airbnbs in the area (search “Piha“). But make sure to book in advance as they can get snapped up pretty quickly. Auckland itself isn’t too far so you can visit just for the day from the city.

Is there any wildlife?

As with many places in New Zealand there’s plenty of birdlife to see, such as the fantail in the picture below.

Further information about the Ōmanawanui track can be found here

Read my other posts about New Zealand here