Northcote Trails

This is an out and back course from Takapuna through to Birkenhead that links together 5 different reserves with minimal road crossings.

Starting out in Como St carpark head down the track to the left just in front of the hall at the end of the street. Follow this track down beside the mangroves coming out at the end of Barry's Pt Rd. Head across Barry Pt Rd and Fred Thomas drive following Esmonde Rd over the motorway. Continue onto Akoranga Dr until you hit the lights at Warehouse Way. Cross the road at the lights and head down Warehouse way for a few hundred metres then take a trail on the right hand side before Haydn & Rollett Construction then a quick left heading down the grass behind all the businesses until you hit the bottom and the start of Tuff Crater.

Follow the track and boardwalk around Tuff Crater until you get to Exmouth Park at the end. Follow the path across the cul-de-sac and head towards the little building and then veer right up a grass path next to a house. It seems like private property but it's actually a public walkway. The walkway takes you to Heath Ave, head up the hill and cross the road at the top, 30m down on your left is a walkway down to Onepoto domain.

Follow the forrest track around to the right, keeping to the right until you hit the boardwalk. Don't take the boardwalk - instead turn right again and up the short hill and around to the grass track around the edge of the reserve. Once you hit the Puawai Place entrance follow the path around the lakes and back to Tarahanga St. Cross the road and head down the trail directly opposite with signs to Lake Rd.

Follow this track until you come out at the Tennis Club on Lake Rd. Then turn right and head 200m up the road, cross the road and head back into the trails after you've past the Daycare center. Now you are in Kauri Glen Reserve. Use the clean stations and then just follow you nose through here, a lot of tracks are closed so there is really only one way to go - keep following signs to Tui Glen Rd where you turn around.

Then retrace your steps back to Como St