Hillary Trail

The Waitakere Ranges, a huge heap of wilderness right on Auckland’s doorstep and, spread throughout this magnificent green parkland, across 16,000 hectares you’ll find over 140 walks covering hundreds of kilometres with options from easy loops to intense multi-day hikes. One of the best-loved treks would have to be the Hillary Trail, 77km of epic walking from the Arataki Visitor Centre to Muriwai Beach. Named for Sir Edmond Hillary, the first person to climb Everest, this trail is understandably popular (although rarely crowded) but you’ll need to be fit as it includes steep sections, a fair bit on sand and also, if there’s been rain, some intensely muddy and slippery segments. If you’ve got four days up your sleeves and the wherewithal to do a multi day hike, by all means do the entire thing end to end, but if that’s not an option pick off a segment, like the walk from rugged Whatipu to equally wild Karekare Beach where Jane Campion shot parts of The Piano. Or perhaps do the segment from Karekare Beach to the beloved surf resort of Piha. Whichever way you do it, you’ll be rewarded with lush bush vistas, pristine beaches, waterfalls and boisterous pounding surf. Plus there’s also some rich history and extraordinary bird life as well as bats, kauri snails and glow-worms. You’ll also be pleased to know, if you choose an A to B walk, there are plenty of local tour operators who can arrange to drop you off or pick you up.