Regional parks

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Remember to be a tidy Kiwi!

All our regional parks are rubbish free. Whether you call it rubbish, trash or garbage, please bag it all up and recycle it or throw it away when you return home.

Important notice

Track Closures

Following the decision by the Environment and Community Committee to close a number of tracks and implement a further programme of high and medium risk track closures, staff and rangers have been working hard to identify more tracks for closure.

A rāhui has been placed over the Waitākere Ranges by iwi Te Kawerau a Maki. This cultural restriction by the mana whenua of the area urges people to stay away from the ranges to allow the forest to heal. The council supports the principles of the rāhui and recommends alternative walking and tramping tracks across the Auckland region.

The list below includes additional tracks identified since the committee meeting on 5 December. Long-term closures are in place for the following tracks:

  • Home Track (Partial) - Piha
  • Upper Huia Dam Track - Piha
  • Quarry Track - Piha
  • Arthur Mead - Piha
  • Forbes Track - Piha
  • Maungaroa Ridge Track - Piha
  • Mc Kenzie Track - Piha
  • Zion Ridge Track – Karekare

The following tracks, which have been temporarily closed for more than five years, are now permanently closed and will be decommissioned.

  • Lucy Cranwell Track - Piha
  • Latrobe Track - Partial - Karekare

If visiting open areas of the ranges, or any kauri forest:

  • Clean all soil off your footwear and other gear every time you enter or leave a forest area with native trees and at every cleaning station
  • Use disinfectant after you have removed all the soil 
  • Stay on track and off kauri roots.
For more information about kauri dieback disease click here.
 
 
About
Park facilities
Park activities
Tracks
History

About Piha

Piha is one of Auckland's most famous west coast black sand beaches. Part of the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, Piha is a popular spot for swimmers and surfers.

Park information

Pedestrian access: Open 24 hours
Summer gate opening hours:
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Daylight savings)
Winter gate opening hours:
8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Non daylight savings)
Distance from CBD: 40 km
Park map: Click here to download a park map

Dog walking restrictions

Dog walking with restrictions
At all times, dogs are allowed  off-leash in the areas of: Piha Domain and the adjacent lagoon area up to the point where the beach area opens out to the south and north and as marked by appropriate marker poles.
During daylight, dogs are allowed off-leash in the areas of: South of Monkey Rock to the access track at Little Lion Rock Corner (at the beginning of Marine Parade North). Between sunset to sunrise dogs must be on-leash.
At all times, dogs are allowed on-leash on all park areas adjacent to North Piha beach between Monkey Rock and the access track at Little Lion Rock Corner (at the beginning of Marine Parade North). This includes:
  • North Piha Strand
  • Piha Esplanade Reserve
  • Les Waygood Park
  • North Piha Esplanade
At all times, dogs are to be on-leash in the area of:
  • From a point approximately 190 metres north of the end of North Piha Road southwards to Monkey Rock (the regional park boundary opposite 61 North Piha Road)
  • Piha South Road Reserve adjacent to Piha Beach
At all times, dogs are prohibited from areas:
  • South of the access point at Little Lion Rock Corner (at the beginning of Marine Parade North) to the southern end of Piha Beach
  • North Piha Beach, from 190 metres of North Piha Road
  • Piha Beach, from north to south 

Click here for information about which regional parks allow restricted dog walking

How to get to Piha

Head along the north-western motorway. Get off at Lincoln Road. At the end of Lincoln Road, turn into Great North Road. At the first set of lights, turn right into Henderson Valley Road. At the roundabout take Forest Hill Road and drive to the end. Turn right into West Coast Road. At the end of West Coast Road, turn right into Scenic Drive. Continue for 200m then take Piha Road at the junction. Stay on Piha Road and it ends at Piha Beach.

View larger map

Maps

Download park map
Auckland Council GIS viewer
Get directions with Google Maps

Park facilities

SCC campgrounds and designated parking areas
SCC campgrounds and designated parking areas Glen Esk Road SCC parking area Log Race Road SCC parking area
Beaches
Beaches

Piha is a wild surf beach with black sand.

Interpretation
Interpretation
Limited mobility toilet
Limited mobility toilet

There is wheelchair access to the toilets at Glen Esk.

Mobility access (partial)
Mobility access (partial)

Glen Esk - this area has a flat picnic area close to the carpark with a flat metalled loop walk. Not suitable for wheelchairs but very popular with elderly visitors who like to enjoy a picnic at this tranquil spot with minimum effort.

Notice board
Notice board
Parking
Parking

Glen Esk Road

Picnic tables
Picnic tables
Ranger office
Ranger office
Sealed access road
Sealed access road
Toilet block
Toilet block
Toilets
Toilets

Park activities

Dog walking with restrictions
Dog walking with restrictions
At all times, dogs are allowed  off-leash in the areas of: Piha Domain and the adjacent lagoon area up to the point where the beach area opens out to the south and north and as marked by appropriate marker poles.
During daylight, dogs are allowed off-leash in the areas of: South of Monkey Rock to the access track at Little Lion Rock Corner (at the beginning of Marine Parade North). Between sunset to sunrise dogs must be on-leash.
At all times, dogs are allowed on-leash on all park areas adjacent to North Piha beach between Monkey Rock and the access track at Little Lion Rock Corner (at the beginning of Marine Parade North). This includes:
  • North Piha Strand
  • Piha Esplanade Reserve
  • Les Waygood Park
  • North Piha Esplanade
At all times, dogs are to be on-leash in the area of:
  • From a point approximately 190 metres north of the end of North Piha Road southwards to Monkey Rock (the regional park boundary opposite 61 North Piha Road)
  • Piha South Road Reserve adjacent to Piha Beach
At all times, dogs are prohibited from areas:
  • South of the access point at Little Lion Rock Corner (at the beginning of Marine Parade North) to the southern end of Piha Beach
  • North Piha Beach, from 190 metres of North Piha Road
  • Piha Beach, from north to south 
Drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Click here to obatin rules and guidelines for flying UAVs and drones.  In particular pay attention to the code of conduct.

Fishing
Fishing
Remember that fishing off the rocks can be dangerous, waves are unpredictable. Always wear a lifejacket.
Picnics
Picnics
Sightseeing
Sightseeing
Surfing
Surfing
Good surfing at South Piha and North Piha.
Swimming
Swimming
Only swim between the flags at Piha.
Volunteering
Volunteering

For Volunteering at 'Ark in the Park', see www.arkinthepark.org.nz or contact us on (09) 810 7014.

Walks (1 hour or more)
Walks (1 hour or more)
Walks (less than 1 hour)
Walks (less than 1 hour)

Whether you're looking for a walk with a good view, a waterfall or through native bush, Piha has it all. See details below. Click on links below for track information:

Wedding or civil union
Wedding or civil union
Piha has numerous locations that are popular for relationship ceremonies. A permit must be obtained prior to commencement. Some locations are very popular over the summer months and early booking is recommended. Please contact the Arataki Visitor Centre on 09 817 0077 to discuss your requirements.

Tracks

Byers Walk Byers Walk ¼ hour - 0.4 km This easy level walk crosses a footbridge at end of Glen Esk Road and follows Glen Esk Stream past the picnic area through groves of ponga and nikau, to another footbridge crossing the stream to join the Kitekite Track.
Track Closed Arthur Mead Track Arthur Mead Track 0.3 hour - 0.6 km Under Kauri Dieback Management.
Connect Track Connect Track 0.3 hour - 0.3 km As per its name, Connect Track connects Winstone Track with Kitekite Track near Kitekite Falls.
Cowan Track Cowan Track 0.16 hour - 0.2 km From Piha Road, Cowan Track descends over uneven ground, deeply rutted with roots, to bridge on Kauri Grove Track.
Track Closed Forbes Track Forbes Track ¾ hour - 1.1 km Under Kauri Dieback Management.
Track Partially Closed Home Track Home Track 1.5 hour - 3.8 km Under Kauri Dieback Management.
Horoeka Track Horoeka Track ½ hour - 1.4 km From Piha Road, Horoeka Track descends steep spur to Karekare Road beside Karekare Stream bridge. Enjoy views of lower Karekare Valley and the west coast.
Huia Ridge Track Huia Ridge Track 2.75 hour - 6 km Huia Ridge Track follows the Huia watershed fenceline to Lone Kauri Road. Track re-enters bush and follows undulating ridge around the upper Huia watershed before swinging right along ridge between the Karamatura and Pararaha.
Ian Wells Track Ian Wells Track 1 hour - 2.4 km From Piha Road, the Ian Wells Track follows an old access road to the (now empty) Nihotupu Auxiliary Dam, before it narrows and continues with some muddy patches and stream crossings to Cutty Grass Track.
Kauri Grove Track Kauri Grove Track 1.25 hour - 3 km Kauri Grove Track leaves Piha Road and traverses remnant kauri forest, continues around the headwaters of Glen Esk Stream and descends easily to Ussher Cross. The track then heads to the top of Kitekite Falls.
Marguerite Track Marguerite Track 1.5 hour - 2.3 km Marguerite Track links Home Track with Kauri Grove Track. The track crosses two streams in the headwaters of Glen Esk Valley and edges around intervening spurs with some mature kauri.
Maungaroa Lookout Track Maungaroa Lookout Track 1 hour - 2.5 km Maungaroa Lookout Track leads across Piha Stream and ascends very steeply to Maungaroa Ridge. Near the top, a short track leads off to Kitenui Lookout. Just beyond the junction with Maungaroa Ridge Track, a second branch track goes to Maungaro Trig.
Track Closed Maungaroa Ridge Track Maungaroa Ridge Track ¾ hour - 2.2 km Under Kauri Dieback Management.
Track Closed McKenzie Track McKenzie Track ¾ hour - 1.1 km Under Kauri Dieback Management.
Piha Valley Track Piha Valley Track 1.5 hour - 2.2 km From the carpark at the end of Glen Esk Road, the Piha Valley Track is an easy, level track following the banks of the Piha Stream past McKenzie Track junction to a fork (30 minutes).
Track Partially Closed Quarry Track Quarry Track ½ hour - 1.1 km Under Kauri Dieback Management.
Winstone Track Winstone Track 1 hour - 2 km Easy gravel track leaves Piha Road, just before Karekare Road turnoff and descends to Ussher Cross (30 minutes). It continues across Glen Esk Stream, climbs a ridge and continues up gentle grade along the south side of a ridge through young kauri groves.
Kitekite Track Kitekite Track ¾ hour - 1.8 km Kitekite Track is a great introduction to the majestic nature of the Waitakere Ranges. From its beginning at the car park, Kitekite Track follows the Glen Esk Stream up to the fantastic Kitekite Falls (a great place to cool off during the summer months).
Laird Thomson Track Laird Thomson Track ½ hour - 0.6 km From the northern end of Piha Beach, Laird Thomson Track ascends steeply to the saddle of Te Waha Point. A short side track to the left leads to a lookout with views of Piha and Whites Beach (5 min).
Lion Rock Track Lion Rock Track ½ hour - 0.1 km From the beach near the Lion’s tail, this track ascends up his back to a grassy lookout on his shoulders.
Tasman Lookout Track Tasman Lookout Track ¾ hour - 0.6 km The Tasman Lookout Track is a steep track with some steps ascending cliffs at the southern end of Piha Beach. At the top, a short branch to the right leads to a lookout point over Piha and Taitomo Island.
Upper Nihotupu Walk Upper Nihotupu Walk ¾ hour - 2.6 km From the Piha Road carpark, the Upper Nihotupu Walk crosses the bridge, then follows easy grade to meet the Upper Nihotupu Dam Road (10 minutes). Pedestrian access continues down easy graded road to Upper Nihotupu Dam, bypassing two waterfalls enroute.
White Track White Track 1 hour - 1.9 km White Track is mostly dry year round and offers some great views as it follows a spur up to Anawhata Road. To save the logistical headache of organising a pick up from one end, a good option is to combine your walk with the Rose Track.

History

For many centuries the west coast was occupied by  Te Kawerau ā Maki, the local iwi. They established käinga (settlements) and cultivated land around the sheltered stream mouths, benefitting from the rich seafood of this area.

Prominent headlands and islands such as Whakaari (Lion Rock) at Piha and Te Kaka Whakaara (The Watchman)  at Karekare (originally known as Waikarekare - ‘the bay of the boisterous seas’) provided ideal places to build protective pā (fortifications).

Most of the Piha and Karekare areas were purchased from Māori in the mid 19th century and allocated in Crown grants. Both Whites Beach and Mercer Bay are named after early landowners.

The area was intensely milled for kauri timber and remnants of the industry can still be seen, including timber dams and remains of a coastal tramway that ran across Karekare Beach. Milling finally stopped in 1921, allowing the kauri  to regenerate.

From the late 19th century, the west coast became a holiday destination and coaches took holiday makers to boarding houses, while others camped informally at Piha and Karekare. Roads were improved by relief workers during the depression of the 1930s and bus services began. Bach communities developed and the first of three existing surf clubs opened at Piha in 1934.

Blow-Hole Bay, Piha.  The youtube video below shows the Byers showing historic photos and telling family stories linked to this spectacular place - now part of the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.

Piha's top secret radar station, which operated above Piha was designed to identify and monitor enemy aircraft flying into Auckland's airspace during WWII. The youtube video below guides you around the remnant on the site, explaining what was where and why.

Today, in contrast to remote Anawhata, Piha and Karekare have developed into busy seaside communities, with permanent residents joining the still significant number of holiday bach owners.

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