Last Updated: 15th Jul 2024

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Flat Fun in the East

Auckland, Auckland

Submitted by Jon Turner

Last Updated: 15th Jul 2024

Beginner

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I've done it Done

Notice More info

Grunt Factor: 11 ?

Gnarl Factor: 10 ?

14.0km

220m

220m

44m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban

Out and Back

Totally/mostly flat

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Beach

Coastal

Open farmlands

Run Makeup

30%
70%

Sealed Road

Easy Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +3.1%

Average Downhill Gradient: -3.2%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

2:00

Slow

1:30

Moderate

1:00

Fast

Start off from Point England Park and follow the path that curves along the coastline.
Once you cross over the small bridge turn right at the fork.
In about 500 metres you want to turn right - it looks like it is just a grassy spur but look to your right and there is a trail. It will feel like you are going the wrong way but trust me - this is the 'fun' track.
When you get out to the road take the track on your left - it is a small and easy loop.
Run along the road till Tahuna Torea Reserve. If it is low tide go via the sand spit, otherwise follow the lagoon track. Follow this all the way to Roberta Reserve. Go out to Riddel road and run up the road for nearly a km to Chelmsford Ave. Run up this to Churchill Park. You can go lots of different directions in the park and everything leads back to itself.
Run back the way you came or via Shrewsbury Ave then Glendowie Park.
Once you get back to the Tahuna Torea walkway, follow the 'lower bush walk' then loop back around via the 'upper bush walk'. Soak in the view from Godwit lookout.
It is an easy run back to the car from here.

Glendowie Sandspit, Churchill Park, Lots of interesting urban walkways and an old dam.

There are toilets at Pt England Reserve by the carpark and another toilet at Roberta Reserve.

Buses go directly here
Lots of parking at the beginning of the run.

14 km

24 minutes

Yes

No

Easy.

The only bit where you might get lost is in the Wai-O-Taki reserve- if you end up at the playground you have gone too far - but it is easy to get back on the track. Double back and go through the grassy section and down the path.

Perfect throughout.

First aid kit, Cellphone, Map

There are taps at the beginning (and end) as well as various toilets en route

Check the tide

Trail Legend

EK

Emmalee Keesing-Styles

has completed Flat Fun in the East once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

Ran this today (July 2024) and some of the tracks in Tahuna Torea reserve are currently closed off for maitenance work - Lagoon Track and Upper Bush Walk are closed. The Lower Bush Walk is ok. To get to the sandspit at low tide you can still follow the coastline from below the carpark (which is fenced off).

This is a great network of parks and fun trails with some awesome views, super handy for those days you don't want to travel too far from the city.

Emmalee Keesing-Styles

July 14

Nice mix of trail, grass, sand, gravel and at the moment, of course, lots of mud. I was very glad I'd worn my grippiest shoes.

Kirsten Fryer

July 14, 2023

A great run along the foreshore - great to see the increase in bird life in the bush and the new tracks in Churchill Park. Much better at low tide as you can run right out to the Spit. Water and toilet stop available (and coffee if needed!) at the bottom of Roberta Ave. Please remember although Churchill Park is very dog friendly; the reserve is off limits to dogs

James McIntosh

January 27, 2020

Good news! The Point England reserve trail is 98% open again (Feb 2019). The new bridge isn't open yet but isn't far away. There is a slight deviation to the left to use the old bridge - then you can carry on. Nice to have a trail in urban Auckland. The sand spit is fun, its much more runnable close to low tide but could be good for cooling off in summer if its high! I did a slight variation of the run went around the south(?) low tide route of the sandspit. Wet feet but no worries!

Nikki Newham

February 10, 2019

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