Waitakere Ranges - Hiking/Tramping

**R6_kid:Me** · 2nd October 2007, 21:09

I'm wanting to get some tramping experience up before i go to Outward Bound next month so I'm looking at going walk abouts in the Waitakere Ranges. Only walk that really takes my fancy so far is the Montana Heritage Track, mainly because it is '4 hours' long and i'm going to be doing some serious distance at outward bound.

Does anyone have suggestions of other good walking tracks in the Waitakere Ranges, or at least within an hour so's drive of Auckland.

Will go whenever the weather looks half decent, maybe this weekend or next.

Anyone else interested too?

**Brett** · 2nd October 2007, 21:41

Originally Posted by R6_kid

I'm wanting to get some tramping experience up before i go to Outward Bound next month so I'm looking at going walk abouts in the Waitakere Ranges. Only walk that really takes my fancy so far is the Montana Heritage Track, mainly because it is '4 hours' long and i'm going to be doing some serious distance at outward bound.

Does anyone have suggestions of other good walking tracks in the Waitakere Ranges, or at least within an hour so's drive of Auckland.

Will go whenever the weather looks half decent, maybe this weekend or next.

Anyone else interested too?

Let me know bro, I will probably be keen to join ya.

**Keystone19** · 2nd October 2007, 21:49

Hey Gareth

Check out the walk from Muriwai Beach to Bethells - 15km of the most beautiful west coast coastline. Can do it one way (need a pick up) or if you're really tough, try doing it return.

Also the Pararaha Gorge starting and finishing either from Karekare or Whatipu. You'll need a guide who's done it before though or some very good advice from the Visitors Centre.

Swing by the Visitors Centre and pick up a map of the walking tracks if you haven't already. Remember to go well prepared - at this time of year it is pretty muddy in there and the estimated times are pretty accurate.

The Montana Trail is a lovely one to start with though and has some good hills in it. It is a well formed trail so you should plough it out in less than 3 hours to be honest, I can usually run it in an hour and a half.

Swing by and I'll show you some great walks up there if you like - I've got a couple of maps floating around I think.

**Littleman** · 2nd October 2007, 21:56

You could try the Okura Bush walk. It just down the road from my place. Goes from Okura to Stillwater. The return trip is only about 3 - 4 hours. Pretty much all nice native bush with a few hills and a bit of harbour and creeks.

I'm prepared to give you some tea and scones upon its completion.

**0arbreaka** · 2nd October 2007, 23:28

If your willing to drive, the pinnacles track in the coromandel is always good.

**Usarka** · 3rd October 2007, 06:55

chuck some rocks in a backpack that'll harden ya up.

+1 pinnacles its a good day walk.

**Crisis management** · 3rd October 2007, 07:35

As the others have said, there are plenty of long walks in the Waitakeres. When my daughter was doing Duke of Edinburgh award tramping we had multi day tramps in the Waitakeres, the coast walk being areally good one. Go to the visitor centre and check the routes available but take their advice regarding the track conditions at this time of year as it gets very wet, cold and miserable in there, especially with this weather.
My son did the Outward Bound "Mind, Body & spirit" course a couple of years ago (is that the one you are doing?) and although he was fairly fit it wasn't so much a physical challenge but the mental challenge of confronting your own limitations that he found hard.
If you want to talk to him about the course send me a PM.

Iain

**Busy** · 3rd October 2007, 08:52

Fairy falls track has a good combination of hills and slopes, and you also get to see the falls at the end. Isn't as long as some mentioned but could be a good one.

The Waitakere forest information center is also very helpful, they would be able to advise which tracks are for which level of tramper etc, they also have maps and stuff.

**Hoon** · 3rd October 2007, 09:27

Yep just as Keystone said Waitakere Whatipu have some great tracks. ARC Info centres have maps, also the Map Centre on Queen Street (in National Bank Phillips Tower? mall) have track maps and topo maps too. Yep will be muddy and slippery this time of year some you might want to stick the to formed tracks first off.
Whatipu has some killer hills too if thats your thing. Throw more weights in your pack to increase the difficulty.

Yeah you'll probably want to do hill work as opposed to distance. Hills are the killer with tramping and will also benefit your distance, where as distance work doesn't really much improve your hills.

Thats just for the physical side, if you need mental strengthening then definately throw in some long walks too but work up to them.

**R6_kid:Me** · 3rd October 2007, 22:22

Cheers guys. All going well im gonna hit the montana this weekend with a mate or two.

Jill - will be in touch soon, we're due for a catch up anyway! I like the sound of that 15km walk!

My old man has the idea that i need to be doing more, he's given me his marathon running training program (doing 8-12km runs) even though i only have to run 3km, and haven't run in months... gotta start at the bottom!

Will post more details on Thurs/Friday.

Littleman - go the scones! Will hold you to it in the near future!

**Crisis management** · 4th October 2007, 11:17

Originally Posted by R6_kid

even though i only have to run 3km, and haven't run in months... gotta start at the bottom!

Don't underestimate the run.....it may be only 3 km's but it's bloody near vertical.

To give you a comparison, Nick (my son) compared the outward bound fitness / runs to his fitness assesment for the outdoor education course he is on now. The assesment required a run up and down a hill, total elevation change 500m each way, with a 25kg pack over natural ground to be completed within 20 minutes.

He thought this was easier than outward bound.......

My previous post assumed a level of fitness I expected you to have, what I meant was you should be able to run 10km's in 40 mins. If you can't do this, I suggest you get fit fast!

**Blind spot** · 4th October 2007, 11:28

Get the waitak walk map ,has all the tracks and times ,grades etc.
There is either a DOC or ARC office on scenic drive
Be prepared, just because it is 5 mins from auckland doasnt mean the tracks can be taken for granted,2nd growth bush can be bloody thick ,stick to the track.
Pinnacles track over Thames is a great condition building track,3hrs roughly up, big hut.
Go up the pinnacles for a look if its a clear day

**R6_kid:Me** · 4th October 2007, 16:42

Originally Posted by Crisis management

Don't underestimate the run.....it may be only 3 km's but it's bloody near vertical....

My previous post assumed a level of fitness I expected you to have, what I meant was you should be able to run 10km's in 40 mins. If you can't do this, I suggest you get fit fast!

Just read that there is a half marathon involved towards the end... maybe i should step up the running program!

**fireball** · 4th October 2007, 17:08

hey
you are going to love Outward Bound, i had a blast there all i can say is train hard get fit you are going to need it oh and take 2 pairs of running shoes.....
have a blast mate dont waste the opportunity to learn some great stuff!

rock on

shakelton watch represent!