10 Best Day Hikes Near Auckland (Under 90 Minutes' Drive)

Auckland is a hiker's city

Most visitors don't realise Auckland is bracketed by two enormous regional parks — the Waitakere Ranges to the west and the Hunua Ranges to the south — plus a harbour full of walkable volcanic islands. All of the walks below are inside 90 minutes' drive of the city, ideal for anyone renting a car in Auckland for a few days.

For hikes further afield, jump to our best hikes on the North Island guide.

West: Waitakere Ranges

1. Karekare Falls & Beach loop

~2 hours · easy–moderate

Combine the short falls walk with a stroll onto the wild black-sand beach where *The Piano* was filmed. Kauri dieback stations at every entry — clean your shoes.

2. Fairy Falls Track

~1.5 hours return · easy

Cascade waterfall through native bush. Great for families and photographers.

3. Mercer Bay Loop

~1 hour · easy · clifftop

Short, spectacular, and often overlooked. Sunset here is unbeatable.

4. Te Henga Walkway

~4 hours one-way · moderate

Coastal ridgeline between Bethells and Muriwai. Wildflowers in spring, gannets year-round.

East and inner harbour

5. Rangitoto Summit

~3.5 hours · ferry from downtown

600-year-old volcano. Walk up through lava fields to a 360° summit view of the Hauraki Gulf. Take the ferry from the CBD — no rental needed for this one.

6. Motutapu → Rangitoto crossing

~5 hours · easy · beach + volcano

Ferry to Motutapu, walk across the causeway to Rangitoto, summit, ferry back from Rangitoto Wharf.

South: Hunua Ranges

7. Hunua Falls Loop

~1 hour · easy

25 m waterfall an hour south of the CBD. Extend on the Cossey's Gorge track for a proper half-day walk.

8. Wairoa Loop Track

~4 hours · moderate

Fewer people, more birdsong. The best of Hunua if you want quiet.

North: Mahurangi & Whangaparāoa

9. Shakespear Regional Park Coastal Loop

~3 hours · easy · Whangaparāoa

Pest-free sanctuary — expect takahē, tīeke and quails on the track. Beaches on both sides.

10. Wenderholm Puhoi Track

~2.5 hours · easy · North

Coastal + native bush combo, an hour north of the city. Perfect stop en route to Northland.

Getting to the trailheads

Public transport reaches almost none of these — a rental is by far the easiest way. Any economy car does the job for the paved trailheads; if you're heading up the Hunua gravel roads or exploring less-visited Waitakere valleys, a compact SUV is more comfortable.

Coming from the airport? Pick up on arrival at our Auckland Airport branch — you can be at Karekare Falls in under an hour.

Related reading

• Weekend in Auckland: the essential itinerary
• Auckland to Coromandel road trip
• Coromandel & Bay of Plenty coastal hikes

Book your Auckland rental and start planning your first trailhead.