Take a hike.... !

A couple of short, easy walks to stretch the legs while staying at Waitakere Resort.

Waitakere Resort Spragg Bush Walk — Spragg Bush Track Courtesy of Auckland City Council

We are lucky enough to be located in one of the most breathtaking areas of natural beauty in the Auckland Region, being nestled within 70 hectares of native rainforest. The Waitakere Ranges National Park has numerous tracks which are open and range from easy to challenging. Today’s post is a taster of a couple of tracks accessible only a very short drive from the top of the hotel driveway.

The most accessible from the Resort and some staff favorites include the Spragg Bush Track and the Arataki Nature Trail. Both are suitable for taking small children along or for those who are keen to be immersed in natural beauty without too much strenuous effort!

Spragg Bush Track is an easy grade on a recently upgraded track making for a pleasant walk spent gazing up into the forest canopy rather than tripping over tree roots! This short walk passes by a spectacular kauri tree, one of the larger examples in the Waitakere Ranges. The track carpark is on the Scenic Drive near Mountain Road and is only a few minutes along the Scenic Drive from the Hotel.

The Arataki Nature trail takes approximately one hour and is an easy to medium walk. The walk passes through some regenerating then mature native forest, many trees have signs telling you the tree names and the walk ends up in a very spectacular cathedral of Kauri Trees. This track starts from the Arataki Information Centre which is a ten-minute drive along the Scenic Drive toward Titirangi; the Info Centre is worth a visit too, it is chock full of great maps, displays and knowledgeable staff on hand to point you in the right direction.

For more info and maps click here: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/environment/plants-animals/protect-trees-disease/protect-our-kauri-trees/opentracksmaps/waitakere-ranges-open-tracks-map.pdf

For information Kauri dieback click here: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/diseases/kauri-dieback/