Last Updated: 27th Sep 2023

Beginner

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Inner City Bush Trails

Auckland, Auckland

Submitted by Dan Boulton

Last Updated: 27th Sep 2023

Beginner

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Notice More info

Grunt Factor: 12 ?

Gnarl Factor: 19 ?

10.0km

500m

500m

100m

  

  

  

Login as a VIP to see driving directions, distance and time.

Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban

Combo

Undulating, small hills only

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Beach

Coastal

Run Makeup

20%
80%

Sealed Road

Easy Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +12.4%

Average Downhill Gradient: -11.6%

Trailhead

Login as a VIP to see the trailhead information.

Estimated Times to Run

1:45

Slow

1:15

Moderate

0:45

Fast

Easy bush run right in the city. The Waikowhai Native bush is the largest stand of native bush in Auckland City. Starting at the top of Goodall St, run down the hill (via the cemetery if you wish) for 200m and turn right into a trail that takes you into Hillsborough Reserve. This is an up and down. Follow the signs to Hoskins Ave, once on Hoskins Ave turn right 100m into the bush trail that takes you down to Grannys Bay (worth checking out). After checking out Grannys Bay come back up the trail and continue along the face of the hill until you come up onto Rebecca's Rise. Drop down the rise and then up onto Aldersgate Rd. Turn right and follow Aldersgate Rd for about 300m before dropping back into a bush trail and into Aldersgate Reserve. Another beach here to check out. Continue along the bush trail for about 1.3km and up into Waikowhai Bush Park. Head across the playground and into the off leash dog area, continuing to follow the Waikowhai Bush Trail towards Cape Horn Rd. There are a number of steep flights of steps up to Cape Horn Rd. Once on Cape Horn Rd, follow this for 150m and then drop back into a bush trial that takes you down into Wattle Bay, another beautiful beach. From here you can turn around and head back, or if you are felling energised continue following the bush trails all the way to Titirangi Golf Course. There are lots of options on the way back, lots more beaches to check out, or if you are in a hurry take the low tide route back saving you legs on the hills.

Lot of history in Hillsborough Cemetery. Great views over the Manukau Harbour. Great place to stop for a run on way back from the airport.

Lots of parking on Goodall St.

10 km

22 minutes

Yes

No

Easy.

Keep the water to your left and you will be hard to go wrong. Best to avoid 2hrs before and after high tide.

Perfect throughout.

Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.

Toilets and water at Waikowhai Park.

Avoid high tide, still doable but there won't be much beach to run along at Waikowhai Beach.

You and Inner City Bush Trails

As a VIP member you can record private notes for this trail, see all of your times and more.

Register Now

Already have an account? Login now

Trail Reviews

Great run close to the city, really enjoy these trails especially at low tide!!

Rachael Tobeck

November 5, 2021

Make sure you go at low tide otherwise you will be running alternative trails. It’s a good little run though, it’s part of a bigger network so you can get some extra distance if you so please. Will definitely be checking it out more often!

Jasmine MNijel

April 5, 2021

beautiful little beaches, but hard to follow. I started at onehunga reclaimed beach. The walkway is really nice from there to frederick street. I lost the plot from there. it was high tide, and quite tricky navigating from goodall st res to captains bush. I ended up doing a lot of road work. I have run around whaikowhai and wattle bay a lot, that trail is easy to follow, lots of stairs, one of my favorite places to run trails. But checking for low tide next time!

Samantha Read-Smith

October 20, 2020

Such a great little hidden gem. At times it feels like you are not in Auckland City at all. I ran it at high tide so couldn't do the beach sections but the Manukau beaches look their best with the water lapping the shore.

Simon Clendon

August 30, 2020

Login to submit a review

Trail Running Community

Find people who are interested in or have completed this trail run.

You must register or login to view this feature.

Register Now

Overlapping Trails

These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.

Waikowhai Stairs, Bush & Beach

Waikowhai Stairs, Bush & Beach

Length: 11.0km

Level: Beginner

Other trails nearby
Strip Trig to Barlow

Strip Trig to Barlow

Length: 13.5km

Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Rangitoto - Motutapu Double

Rangitoto - Motutapu Double

Length: 36.6km

Level: Intermediate

Sanders Reserve

Sanders Reserve

Length: 5.1km

Level: Beginner

Kuataika Double & Wainamu Bush

Kuataika Double & Wainamu Bush

Length: 19.6km

Level: Intermediate

Find more trails and peaks nearby