Waikowhai Stairs, Bush & BeachBeginner

Description

NOTE: the eastern end of this route uses the beach which is only accessible a couple of hours either side of high tide.

Start from Strathnaver and head down the track, following it till it comes out onto Fairsea Pl. Turn left up Himalaya Cres. then right down Halsey Drive. Head along till you come to Manukau Domain, run across the grass to the sculpture and down the track. This goes through some nice bush till you come out on Syvlania Crescent - run across the road and down the trail towards Wattle Bay.

Follow the track until the junction which lets you choose to go to the beach and take the low tide route, but for this journey we will keep going straight towards Cape Horn Rd. Follow the track till the lookout junction and go up and catch your breath while looking back at the Manukau Harbour. Head back down and take a right up to Cape Horn Rd.

Turn right and run down the road 500 metres till the walkway down to Waikowhai Bay. Follow the trails through Waikowhai Bay taking the track through Captain's Bush towards Wesley Bay. If it is high tide you will have to climb over some rocks then run along the beach for 200 metres before hitting the Aldersgate Reserve Track. This goes to Wesley Bay glade which is where you turn around and head back the same way.

Features of interest

Waikowhai Park is the last stand of native forest in Auckland City. Lots of Tui, Kereru, Piwakawakawa. Runs past the old changing rooms at Waikowhai Beach. A really nice sculpture in Manukau Domain that used to be at the Auckland Art Gallery. Some time spent running on the beach. There are a LOT of stairs so get ready for a calf workout!
This mostly follows the Waikowhai Walkway (link below). You can go all the way to Mangere Bridge off Road if you keep on going

Make Up of Run

Technical Single Track: 20%

Moderate Single Track: 40%

Easy Single Track: 30%

Sealed Road: 10%

Route Data