The Best Parks and Forests for Hiking Around Auckland

New Zealand is known for its awesome tracks, epic trails and varied landscapes providing seemingly endless natural beauty, whether by the coast, in the rainforest or amongst bushland. Are you a keen hiker looking for the top trails to traipse? Or maybe you’re new to walking and are seeking moderately challenging routes. No matter your skill level, we’ve listed the top parks, forests and spots in and around Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland for those looking to put their tramping shoes to good use. With branches in the Auckland Airport and downtown Auckland, getting to your favourite track in your rental car is easy with Thrifty.

Waitākere Ranges Regional Park

Located in West Auckland, around a 45-minute car ride from the city centre, Waitākere is a popular nature reserve with over 70 trails throughout the entire park. Well known for its diverse landscape, you’ll get everything from waterfall views to black-sand beaches here - it’s hard to believe a natural paradise so lush and green is so close to the city! Dive head first into beautiful scenery at Karekare Falls - a 30m high waterfall on the Western coast of the North Island. A short hike here leads you to the bottom of the falls, where many visit from near and far to swim underneath the cascades. When it comes to hiking the Ranges, there are gentle strolls to challenging treks to venture, making it suitable for all fitness levels. On the eastern side of the Ranges, the Beveridge to Arataki Track is a 3.5km trail through native bush leading to the Arataki Visitor Centre. You’ll be surrounded by verdant flora on this walk, with scenic beauty and intriguing history around every corner. After a hike at Waitākere, relax with a dip at Piha Beach - a strikingly beautiful black-sand beach (that makes for the perfect insta photo). Plus, there’s accommodation available nearby at the Waitākere Resort and Spa, where you can pamper yourself after a long day of hiking.

Āwhitu Regional Park

About an hour and a half from Auckland in your rental car, Āwhitu Regional Park is on the shores of Matakawau Beach, offering visitors varied landscapes with ocean views and lakeside trails. There are a handful of short tracks to wander here, including the Āwhitu Brook Homestead Path and the Āwhitu Hatton Road Track. The Brook Homestead Path begins on the beach and passes through the wetlands before leading to a historic cottage, where you can rest underneath the shady verandah to break up your walk, while the Hatton Road Track takes you to a scenic lookout point where you’ll get epic views of the Manukau Harbour and Coromandel Peninsula. As the area is abundant with wildlife, you’ll see native pukeko, fern bird and tui during your time here, so keep an eye out! Unwind with a stroll along the shores of either Brook Beach or Kauritutahi Beach and if you’re travelling with a group, bring along a chilly bin and book the on-site picnic area here for an afternoon barbeque by the seaside.

Tip: When hiking in New Zealand, remember to check your shoes, gear and vehicle before and after venturing to National Parks and forests to prevent the spread of kauri dieback. Always follow the ‘Leave No Trace’ principles and use cleaning stations where required.

Shakespear Regional Park 

One of the most-visited and well-known parks in the Auckland region, Shakespear Regional Park is a pest-free sanctuary on Auckland’s eastern headland. If you’re tired after all that hiking and are looking for something a bit different to do here, you’re in luck. Dubbed one of the best parks in the world - literally - and with forest areas and a working farm on-site, there are many ways to explore Shakespear aside from hiking. Water sports are a favourite with kite and windsurfing proving popular on Te Haruhi Bay, avid anglers can cast a line into Army Bay at high tide, and Okoromai Bay is an excellent diving point to explore underwater shipwrecks. Sheep and cattle can be seen at Shakespear, with lambs grazing the paddocks in spring – bring your camera along for some ‘aww’-inspiring snaps. The Shakespear Heritage Trail is a 3.9km walk that starts at Okoromai Bay and leads you through the open sanctuary to Waterfall Gully, past native bush and paddocks to bring you awesome views over Tīkapa Moana / Hauraki Gulf. Whether you’re travelling with animal lovers, fitness enthusiasts or scuba divers, there’s something at Shakespear for everyone. Remember to check your vehicle and belongings before you visit to help keep the site pest-free.

Riverhead Forest

Different from the previous beach areas and National Parks listed above, Riverhead Forest is a pine forest - about an hour out of Auckland in your rental car - visited mainly by hikers and horseback riders. Get lost in the woods with a challenging trek here, and breathe in the scent of fresh pine trees to fuel your journey. There are over 20 trails to choose from here, ranging from 40-minute strolls to five-hour-long tracks. The Barlow Road Loop is a popular tramping trail with luscious views of the forest wilderness, while the more challenging Forest Loop Track offers variety with wide roads, narrow trails, and riverside paths along the banks of the Puhoi River.

Note: Riverhead Forest is a working forest and tracks and roads may be closed at short notice while logging operations are underway.

Now that you know some of the best hiking spots around Auckland, it’s time to lace up your tramping shoes and explore the great outdoors. From the majestic waterfalls of Waitākere Ranges to the serene shores of Āwhitu Regional Park, there’s a trail filled with scenic beauty for everyone in the Tāmaki Makaurau region.