Tracks

Kauri Grove Track

Kauri Grove Track is located in Piha regional park

About
Other tracks

Tramping track

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, beside the site of the old driving dam. It then crosses the stream to Connect Track.

Kauri Grove Track details

Regional park: Click here for information about 'Piha' (including gate opening hours)
Distance: 3.0 km
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Wheelchair access: No
Pram access: No

What to expect

Suitable for people of reasonable fitness and experience.

Tramping tracks will:
  • Consist of formed and drained surfaces.
  • Be signposted at track entrances and key junctions.
Tramping tracks may:
  • Have structures in permanent wet areas but waterways will not generally be bridged.
  • Tramping tracks may also have limited track information, and steep grades.

Security

Theft from vehicles is not common but unfortunately can happen. You should take the same reasonable precautions you take when parking at other locations and remember to lock your vehicle and take your valuables with you.

Maps

Auckland Council GIS viewer
Get directions with Google Maps

All Piha 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.
Arthur Mead Track Arthur Mead Track 0.3 hour - 0.6 km From Piha Road, track descends steeply to Karekare Stream.
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.
Forbes Track Forbes Track ¾ hour - 1.1 km From Centennial Track, just upstream from Black Rock Dam, Forbes Track ascends very steeply to the ridge and follows a gently undulating route around the head of a tributary of the Piha Stream.
Home Track Home Track 1.5 hour - 3.8 km From the parking area on Piha Road, Home Track follows along gently descending ridge (muddy in places), before a final steep descent to the end of Glen Esk Road.
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.
Track Closed Lucy Cranwell Track Lucy Cranwell Track ½ hour - 1 km This track is closed
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.
Maungaroa Ridge Track Maungaroa Ridge Track ¾ hour - 2.2 km From McKenzie Junction, Maungaroa Ridge Track follows undulating ridge between Piha and Wekatahi Streams to Maungaroa Lookout Track.
McKenzie Track McKenzie Track ¾ hour - 1.1 km From a small clearing on the Piha Valley Track, McKenzie Track crosses the stream then ascends, steeply in places, to a ridge which it follows to McKenzie Junction.
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).
Quarry Track Quarry Track ½ hour - 1.1 km From Centennial Track, undulating track leads to McKenzie Junction.
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.
  • twitter.com/aklcouncil
  • facebook.com/aklcouncil
  • linkedin.com/auckland-council
  • youtube.com/aklcouncil

Help make Auckland the best place in
the world to work, play, study and invest.

Find out more