The 12 best walks in Auckland city!
Last updated on July 24th, 2026 at 02:07 pm
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From short to long these are the best walks right in Auckland city itself!
All are easy walks with times that vary from 30 minutes to 4 hours. And if you want to get to see the city, these twelve walks are some of the best the city has to offer and are going to give a great overview of everyday Auckland city – from its shoreline to its volcanos, islands and gardens.
And if you want to get out of the city, but not too far, for a walk then you will also be interested in 13 beautiful walks close to Auckland not to miss.
Contents
12 best walks in Auckland city
- Rangitoto Summit
- Auckland Waterfront Path
- North Head Historic Walk
- Coast to Coast
- Judges Bay Path and the Parnell Rose Gardens
- Mt Eden
- Hobson Bay West Walkway
- One Tree Hill Loop – Cornwall Park
- The Tieke Bush Track
- The Lovers Lane Walk in the Auckland Domain
- Orakei Basin Walkway
- Chelsea Estate Heritage Park Path
- Bonus – Mt St John Crater Rim walk
Frequently Asked Questions about walks around Auckland
Tips for walks around Auckland
Trip Planning Checklist
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Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.
Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains
Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site
Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!
Tours and Activities – book with Viator or GetYourGuide and in NZ always check Bookme as it has good discounts on many attractions. These are some recommended tours if you would love a guide full of information for some walking in the city are:
- A half-day volcano walking tour – Mt. Wellington, Mangere Mountain, One Tree Hill, and Mt. Eden
- This Auckland Bush, Beach and Bites Trail – drive across the bridge, and visit and walk on a local beach and bush reserve with your guide!
- Sea Kayak & Rangitoto Summit Hike Day Trip
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12 best walks in Auckland city
So here we go with the best off the beaten path multi-day hikes in the North Island – listed in order from north to south.
1. Rangitoto summit
Distance and Time: 3.1km, 2 hours return (but that’s without stopping and is rushing it in my mind).
AllTrails Map: Rangitoto Island Summit Track
Right in the heart of the city you can jump on a ferry to the iconic Rangitoto Island. Not only does it add a stunning backdrop to Auckland city views, it also has a number of walks you can pick from.
The most popular and highly recommended is the Summit Track which crosses the lava fields of this dormant volcano and takes you to the top. You pass through beautiful pohutakawa forests as you go – stunning in December(ish) when they are in bright red flower.
I recommend making a day of it and doing some of the other walks around the perimeter and definitely the side walk to the lava caves – shown on this map. I also love the Rangitoto Island Loop. Bring your togs (bathing suit) and a picnic and stop off at one of the beaches.
Notes:
- Bring plenty of water – its volcanic lava and its hot walking! There are no shops etc
- Get to Rangitoto with this Return Ferry Ticket to Rangitoto Island
- You can also go hiking on Rangitoto on this excellent Sea Kayak & Summit Hike Day Trip
Get directions to the ferry terminal.
2. Auckland Waterfront Path – Tamaki Drive
Distance and Time: 9.7km – 2 hours one way.
AllTrails Map: Orakei Waterfront Path
Walk from the heart of the city at the ferry terminal (where you catch the Rangitoto ferry) to St Heliers beach via Mission Bay beach on the Waterfront Path. This is mostly on pavement but there are lots of nice beaches to walk along off pavement. Take your togs (bathing suit) because you’re going to want to get into the water somewhere along the way. The beaches are excellent given they are inner city and the views across to Rangitoto are what Auckland is all about!
Get directions to the ferry terminal.
3. North Head Historic Walk
Distance and Time: 2.4km – 0.5-1 hour
AllTrails Map: North Head Historic Walks
Look at the AllTrails map of the North Head Historic Walks and you will see there are lots of tracks – all going in circles around the North Head. The walk winds through native bush, grassy slopes, and historic gun emplacements. You get great 360 views of the Auckland city skyline, Rangitoto Island, and the Waitematā Harbour.
Get directions to North Head.
4. Coast to Coast Walk
Distance and Time: 16km, 4 hours one way
AllTrails Map: Te Araroa Coast to Coast Walkway
The longest of all the walks but a great way to see all sides of Auckland city from the suburbs to the University and some of the parks. This iconic Coast to Coast city walk literally takes you from one coast to the other – from the Waitematā Harbour to the Manukau Harbour – through the heart of Auckland. Allow the better part of a day so you can take a few side steps on the way. For example, you walk through the Domain with its winter gardens and the museum, and, through Cornwall Park with the iconic views from One Tree Hill. Start at the ferry terminal or near Gloucester Park South.
Get directions to the ferry terminal or Gloucester Park South.
5. Judges Bay Path and the Parnell Rose Gardens
Distance and Time: 2km, 30 mins to 1 hour
AllTrails Map: Judges Bay Path
The Judges Bay Path focuses on Parnell Auckland with extensive views of the Waitematā Harbour, beautiful grand pōhutukawa trees, and some bush as well as some historic landmarks. It starts at the archway entrance on the corner of Gladstone Road and Judges Bay Road and takes you to the Parnell Rose Gardens, the Historic St Stephens Church, and the Nancy Steen Garden. The rose gardens are definitely worth mentioning for those who love a rose or two in summer – all types, all colors and smells! The walk is mostly on pavements and in places steps, and it is on the hilly side.
Get directions to the start of the trail.
6. Mt Eden Volcano
Distance and Time: 2-4km, 30 mins – 1 hour
AllTrails Map: Maungawhau / Mt Eden Path
There are various paths up to the crater of Mt Eden – I prefer to start in the park rather than walk through any neighborhoods as others might like to do.
The walk takes you up to the crater rim of this extinct volcano, which you can walk around with great views across the city and most of Auckland. There is a viewing platform looking over the city as well. The crater is big – 50m deep (but you cannot walk down into it as it is considered sacred). Don’t worry – the last eruption was about 15,000 years ago. This is probably as iconic to Auckland as is Rangitoto – so do go!
Note: For more city volcanoes (there are quite a few), and a lot of interesting information about them, you could also take this half-day volcano walking tour – and climb up Mt. Eden, Mangere Mountain, Mt. Wellington, and One Tree Hill!
Get directions to Mt Eden
7. Hobson Bay West Walkway
Distance and Time: 2.3km, 30 mins – 1 hour
AllTrails Map: Hobson Bay West path
The Hobson Bay West path is (to me at least) a fun and easy walk through a mangrove area – on boardwalks and on paths along the muddy shoreline! You need to go at low tide so you can walk along the waterfront part. Start at Shore Road Reserve.
Get directions to Shore Road Reserve
8. One Tree Hill Loop – Cornwall Park
Distance and Time: 5.6km – 1.5-2 hours
AllTrails Map: One Tree Hill Loop
In Epsom / Greenlane, Auckland is Cornwall Park with a number of walking paths. The most popular is, rightly, the walk around the park and to the top of One Tree Hill. “One tree” is the name due to a single Monterey Pine which stood at the top until it was famously attacked in the 1990s and removed in 2000 – sad but true. The 360 views from the top really show you the city.
Get directions to Cornwall Park.
9. The Tieke Bush Track
Distance and Time: 5km (from the wharf), 1.5-2 hours
AllTrails Map: Tieke Bush Track on Motuihe Island
In the summer only you can get a ferry to the special little Motuihe Island in the Hauraki Gulf. Special because it is predator free and a bird sanctuary. As you walk around you get to see / hear some wonderful birdlife, including rarer birds like the saddleback or Tieke, and if you are lucky, geckos, skinks and tuatara. You can also camp on the island to really relax and enjoy it – and you are likely to hear the resident kiwis at night!
The island has a few walks – the Tieke Bush Track is absolutely lovely but check this Motuihe Island Campsite Walk and when you get to the island there are more e.g. the Bald Knob Track, and the Eastern Beaches Track.
It is harder to get to this walk, but I highly recommend a day on the island walking and enjoying its beautiful beaches, and definitely camping if you have a tent!
To get there take a Red Boat Ferry from the Westhaven Marina, or a sea shuttle.
Get directions to the Westhaven Marina.
10. The Lovers Lane Walk in the Auckland Domain
Distance and Time: About 1km – about 20 mins
AllTrails Map: Auckland Domain Loop
There are a whole lot of options in the Domain – including the Domain Loop. Its great to wander around the more ‘open’ garden and tree areas, and of course the Winter Gardens and fernery are lovely. You can also visit the museum if you have the interest.
But my favourite walk is the Lovers Walk – one of the native bush walks – simply because you are in beautiful native bush right by the heart of the city’s CBD! It starts near the duck ponds on Domain Drive and goes through the native bush to Lower Domain Drive – turn right and a short way along you can come back up the Glade Path to rejoin the Lovers Walk – although I recommend only to the Glade Path to the Nikau walk and using that to cut across back to the Lovers Walk!
Get directions to the Domain.
11. Orakei Basin Walkway
Distance and Time: 3km, 0.5 – 1 hour
AllTrails Map: Orakei Basin Walkway
The Orakei Basin Walkway is another great city walk that circles an 85,000-year-old volcanic crater. This one is full of water though! It is a mix of tracks and boardwalks with some stairs and some tree shade too. You often see birdlife and fish in the water below you as you go which adds a bit of fun to the walk. There are great views across the city in parts too. Its easy to access from from the Ōrākei Train Station or Meadowbank Train Station.
Get the train or directions to park near the Ōrākei Train Station or Meadowbank Train Station
12. Chelsea Estate Heritage Park Path
Distance and Time: 1.3 km – 30-60 mins
AllTrails Map: Chelsea Estate Heritage Path
The Chelsea Estate Heritage Path is a great short walk with historic dams, bush, birds, a beach, and nice views over the harbour, the bridge and the city! You can combine this walk with a walk in the Chatswood Reserve to extend your walking time – check the AllTrails map. Even better you can also visit the old Chelsea Sugar Factory on the walk – you can book a 60-minute guided factory tour or just relax on the deck at the Sugar Cafe! Brilliant!
Get directions to the Chelsea Estate Heritage Path trailhead.
Bonus – Mt St John Crater Rim Walk
Distance and Time: 1km – 15 mins
AllTrails Map: Mt St John Path
I am adding the Mt St John Crater Walk in this post as a much much quieter alternative to Mt Eden crater rim walk. Though not as large, you are likely to be the only person here and able to enjoy more great views of the city and look into an extinct volcanoes now grassy crater! (see the pic below.)
Get directions to Mt St John Ave and the trailhead.
Other walks in the Auckland area
Other walks not to miss in the general Auckland area, but a bit further out from the city center, are covered in 13 beautiful walks close to Auckland not to miss. This includes walks in Shakespear Regional Park, Alice Eaves Scenic Reserve, Tawharanui Regional Park, the Waitakere Ranges, Muriwai and Piha beaches, Waiheke Island and more!
Note: I also recommend this fun tour – you get to cross the Harbour Bridge and visit and walk on a local beach and bush reserve with your guide – the Auckland Bush, Beach and Bites Trail!
Frequently Asked Questions about walks around Auckland
Q: Can I get to these walks without a car?
A: Generally, yes the trains, ferries, buses and metro get you to most and Uber or taxis can be used if needed!
Q: What are the best walks in Auckland?
A: The Coast to Coast Walkway, Mount Eden, One Tree Hill, Waterfront – Tamaki Drive, and Rangitoto walks are all very popular!
Q: What is the Coast to Coast Walkway and is it worth doing?
A: Yes – it is often described as Auckland’s signature urban walk! It crosses the city from one harbour to another through many of Auckland’s volcanic landscapes.
Q: Can you walk up Mount Eden?
A: Yes definitely – it is a very popular walk.
Q: Are Auckland’s volcanoes free to visit?
A: Yes – all of them!
Q: What are the best walks with city views?
A: Mount Eden, One Tree Hill, North Head Historic Reserve, and Rangitoto Island!
Q: What’s the weather like in Auckland?
A: Basically mixed! Summer is warmer averaging at 22–24°C (71–75°F) but often up to the low 30s°C. note that the sun can be very strong. NZ has a hole in the ozone layer so don’t be fooled by temperatures or clouds in the sky – the sun here burns, so bring sunblock and use it! Winter is coldest but never very cold with average daily highs around 12–16°C (53–61°F) and night-time lows between 6–8°C (43–46°F). Any time of year you can have rain or sunshine – bring clothes for both!
Tips for walks around Auckland
- Check walks are open before going – just in case!
- If you arrive on a cruise and want to walk, I suggest you do this half-day volcano walking tour and then walk the beaches part of the Waterfront Walk from this viewpoint to St Heliers beach.
- Even in winter take sunscreen and hat – the sun in New Zealand is much more brutal than you think – even on a cloudy day.
- The weather is very changeable – take clothes for rain and wind as well as sun! Even on sunny days take a waterproof rain jacket and extra top layer if you are going for more than an hour.
- If you are going on a coastal walk – check tide times e.g. Hobson Bay West Walkway.
Where to stay in Auckland
For these walks you are best to stay in central Auckland. You will be able to walk to many of them and it will be easy to get to the ferry or buses.
Higher end – the Park Hyatt Auckland, or, InterContinental Auckland By IHG
Mid range – Hotel DeBrett or Hotel Grand Chancellor or Horizon By SkyCity
Budget and Backpackers – for a lovely homestay try Kiwi Heritage Homestay. For backpackers the LyLo Auckland and JO&JOE Auckland are both top-rated!
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