Last Updated: 25th Jan 2026
Mercer Bay Magic
Last Updated: 25th Jan 2026
Open
Grunt Factor: 12 ?
Gnarl Factor: 28 ?
6.5km
475m
475m
289m
Last Updated: 25th Jan 2026
Last Updated: 25th Jan 2026
Open
Grunt Factor: 12 ?
Gnarl Factor: 28 ?
6.5km
475m
475m
289m
Urban fringe
Combo
Undulating, some big hills
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Coastal
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +15.10%
Average Downhill Gradient: -18.10%
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1:30
Slow
1:00
Moderate
0:40
Fast
Please do your part to protect healthy kauri trees and prevent the spread of kauri dieback. Clean your footwear before and after visiting, and use the cleaning stations every time you pass one. Stay on the tracks and keep off kauri roots. Stay away from closed tracks.
The trail starts at the Mercer Bay Loop track at the northern side of the Log Race Road carpark (take the loop track anticlockwise). Follow the path along the cliff edge as it drops down the Te Ahua headland. Take the track on the right to the lookout point and check out the pou (marker sculpture) that marks the site of the pa. Return back to the main track and continue on, keeping the coast on your right, until you get to the fork and the signed track for Comans Track.
Follow Comans as it takes you on a short steep scramble up, and then drops you down towards Karekare. At the bottom of the hill, before you reach on Watchmans Road, turn left onto the Ahu Ahu Track.
This climbs back up to to the Mercer Bay Loop track where you continue up, taking the first right hand junction to complete the Loop back to where you started.
Former pa site and radar station. Breathtaking views across the Tasman. Plenty of native birds and bush.
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
No public transport. The Log Race Road car park has lots of space and a toilet (long drop).
38 km
51 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
Patchy.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Take your own
Nothing out of the ordinary
Exposed cliff edges and rockfall hazards
Do you have a suggestion on where to go afterwards for the best coffee / cake / breakfast / brunch / beer?
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Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
To get a valid FKT, the short out and back to the lookout point must be completed.
You and Mercer Bay Magic
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Love this run, views are stunning. I like to add extra out and back to Karekare waterfall to add even a bit more WOW.
April 25, 2021
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