Last Updated: 25th Apr 2024

Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Piha Surf & Bush

Maungaroa

Piha Valley Track, Centennial Track, McElwain Lookout Track, Quarry Track, Maungaroa Ridge Track, Maungaroa Lookout Track, White Track, Rose Track, Kitekite Track

Piha, Auckland

Submitted by Malcolm Law

Last Updated: 25th Apr 2024

Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Closed More info

CLOSED DUE TO KAURI DIEBACK. You can sign up to e-updates re the track situation in both the Waitakere and Hunua Ranges here.

Please notify us if this has changed.

Grunt Factor: 30 ?

Gnarl Factor: 39 ?

20.6km

850m

850m

365m

  

  

  

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

Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Undulating, some big hills

Native bush

Beach

Coastal

Run Makeup

10%
5%
40%
25%
10%
10%

Sealed Road

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Untracked / Route only

Average Uphill Gradient: +10.6%

Average Downhill Gradient: -10.4%

Trailhead

Login as a VIP to see the trailhead information.

Estimated Times to Run

4:00

Slow

3:00

Moderate

2:00

Fast

From the Piha Cafe run on the road towards the sea. Take the first path you see over the dunes and on to the beach. Head north for about 2.5 kms to the far end and pick up the Laird Thomson Track. This climbs to a headland - turn right and head up the steps, admiring the great views as you go.

When the single track you are on turns into a 4WD track turn left and follow this around to the right heading uphill on what is now the Rose Track (signposted Anawhata Rd. 20 mins). Climb 100m over just half a km and turn right on to Anawhata Rd, followed by an immediate right turn onto a grassy 4WD track. You are now on the Hillary Trail. After a couple of hundred metres, turn left onto White Track and follow this downhill to a couple of stream crossings. On the far side of the second stream pick up Marawhara Walk.

Shortly you'll hit the road. Turn left and follow this back towards Piha for 400 metres. Immediately after crossing a creek on the road bridge turn left on a track marked 'to Garden Road' (not shown on maps). Keep to the right and follow the fenceline through to Garden Road. Turn left and run tarmac for 100m or so before joining the Mangaroa Lookout Track. Follow this through nikau and over a couple of streams before tackling the steep climb up the ridge. At the top (about 8.4 km into the run) bear left, following the signs to McKenzie Junction ¾ hr. This small clearing is reached after another 2.3 km of glorious running. Exit on the Quarry Track and bear left to stay on this at the next junction. A bit further along turn left on McElwain Lookout Track and take in the awesome 360° views from this raised platform before continuing on to meet Anawhata Rd again.

Don't run on the road, just turn immediately right to pick up the Centennial Track, bearing left at the next junction to stay on the Centennial (signposted to Home Track 1 hr) and follow this awesome single track down to a boulder-hopping river crossing. Pick up the steps on the far side and follow them up the hill. Now follow the Piha Valley Track (to Glen Esk Rd 1 hr) and just before reaching the trailhead turn a sharp left onto Byers Walk. You are now some 16.5 kms in. After crossing the stream on a bridge turn left on to Kitekite Track and in about 300 metres fork left following the signs to Ussher Cross 25 mins. This re-crosses the stream and climbs on a long series of steps.

At the top of the climb turn right on the Knutzen Track and follow to the amazing Kitekite Falls - a great place for a refreshing dip on a hot day. Cross in front of the falls and exit the far side on steps that lead uphill to a spectacular viewpoint back over the Falls. Follow the trail downhill, turning left to rejoin the Kitekite Track and stay on this all the way out to Glen Esk Road. Follow the road back towards Piha, making a final right turn over the road bridge to return to the Piha Cafe.

Stunning west coast landscapes, beautiful bush (incl. nikau groves) & the incomparable Kitekite Falls.

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.

Limited parking outside the cafe for customers only, otherwise on-street parking nearby is usually possible

0 km

1 minutes

Unknown

No

Moderate.

Well signposted for the most part. Take map & route notes and you shouldn't have too much difficulty

Very patchy.

Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map

All stream water is drinkable if flowing well. Don't drink from stagnant or very slow moving water and if nervous take your own water. Would recommend leaving with at least 1L on board (more if hot) regardless.

All trails can get very muddy in winter and after heavy rain

Take care on stream crossings. They're never very high but can contain lots of slippery rocks.

Piha Cafe
Piha
http://www.pihacafe.com
Good food, coffee & selection of beers

Piha General Store
Piha
Great pies! Big ice creams. Good coffee. It's the original (and for a long time was the only) watering hole in the village.

You and Piha Surf & Bush

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

Laird Thomson track is closed with a slip at the moment. Great track, hopefully open again soon.

Kate Annan

October 10, 2017

Great trail Mal. Quarry Track is getting boggy! But getting to the look out makes it worth it!

Dan Boulton

April 8, 2017

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.

Piha-ing Around

Piha-ing Around

Length: 17.5km

Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Other trails nearby
Kitekite Falls & Beyond

Kitekite Falls & Beyond

Length: 6.3km

Level: Beginner

Karekare 'Little & Large'

Karekare 'Little & Large'

Length: 12.1km

Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Find more trails and peaks nearby