Skip to content

Waitakere Dam & Pukematekeo Loop

Photo of Stephen
Hosted By
Stephen
Waitakere Dam & Pukematekeo Loop

Details

(You need to read the RSVP Questions & RSVP Guide below BEFORE you RSVP :-)) ...

On Saturday, we are returning to Cascade Kauri area of Waitakere Ranges for a loop hike via Cascade Falls, Waitakere Dam & Tramline, East Tunnel Mouth, and Pukematekoe summit. Highlights include great views from high point, waterfalls, dam, reservoir, tramline, tunnel, large kauri trees and variety of native forest.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Duration: about 5 hours hike (including stops).

Distance: about 13km.

Speed: Medium pace.

Difficulty: 3 on our 1-5 scale (average).

  • Includes some rough tramping tracks that are likely to be muddy and slippery in places, with very steep sections, requiring fitness and agility.
  • There is a shallow stream crossing that may require getting feet wet.
  • Main elevation changes: Anderson Track gains 150m steeply uphill; Waitakere Dam Walk gradually gains 120m; Filter Track drops 150m very steeply downhill; East Tunnel Mouth Track steeply gains 50m; Pukematekeo Track drops 240m quite steeply.
  • Other sections of route are relatively flat and easy.

Important Notes:

  • This meetup is for experienced hikers with high levels of fitness and agility. Not suitable for beginners.
  • You need to be prepared to get feet wet and muddy.
  • Hiking boots are recommended.
  • See our Winter Hiking Guide (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/pages/19436282/Winter_Hiking_Guide).
  • Hike includes two 400m sections on side of Scenic Drive which has high speed traffic and no footpath. Extra care is needed.
  • You are responsible for your own safety & preparation.
  • There is a new correct answer for RSVP Question 1 (see below).

Requirements to attend this meetup:

  • To help simplify things, to attend this meetup you need to:
    -- Be a member of Auckland Hiking Group; do not bring guests.
    -- RSVP Yes on time.
    -- Give valid answers to 2 RSVP Questions specified below when you RSVP.
    -- Complete hike with group at medium pace okay.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Meeting Places:

Google Map Driving Directions:

Transport and Carpooling:

  • Carpooling will be arranged for everyone meeting at New World after arriving there (transport permitting; you can read more details here (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/pages/Transport_and_Carpooling)).
  • If you want a ride from New World there's no need to arrange this in advance: just answer the RSVP questions.
  • If you can offer rides or want a ride from a different location you can mention this in Conversation below then contact each other to arrange your own carpooling.
  • Best if most drivers meet at New World first.
  • Each carpool passenger from New World needs to give $10 to driver. Bring exact change.

Time Guideline: If meeting at New World:

  • 09:15 - Good time to arrive at New World, meet & greet
  • 09:30 - Latest time to arrive at New World, arrange carpooling
  • 09:35 - Leave New WorldIf going direct to Falls Road
  • 09:55 - Good time to arrive at Falls Road car parkEveryone:
  • 10:10 - All at Falls Road car park by now
  • 10:20 - Introductions
  • 10:30 - Start hike
  • 15:30 - Approx end of hike
  • 17:00 - Approx return to city

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Maps:

Hike Details:

  • Basically, we'll loop anticlockwise via Auckland City Walk, Anderson Track, West Tunnel Mouth Track, Waitakere Tramline Track, Waitakere Dam Road, Scenic Drive, Filter Track, East Tunnel Mouth Track, Anderson Track, Scenic Drive, Pukematekeo Track, Falls Road.
  • (P) From car park, start on west end of Auckland City Walk
  • (1) Continue straight-left past Upper Kauri Track on right.
  • (2) Right on side-track to Cascasde Falls and back then continue on Auckland City Walk.
  • (3) Continue straight-left past Fence Line Track on right for about 20m then right on Anderson down to Waitakere Stream crossing then steeply uphill.
  • (4) Right down West Tunnel Mouth Track.
  • (5) Right on Waitakere Tramline Track, through tunnel, under Kelly Stream overflow, and finally up steps on left.
  • (6) Waitakere Dam: explore, then up Waitakere Dam Walk (sealed driveway), including short side-track to large kauri on right.
  • (7) Left on Scenic Drive for 400m.
  • (8) Right on Filter Track, very steep downhill.
  • (9) Left on East Tunnel Mouth Track (gravel road to tunnel mouth then tramping track uphill).
  • (10) Left on Peripatus Tarck up a few steps to Scenic Drive, walk short distance to viewpoint on left and back, then cross road to southeast fork of Anderson Track.
  • (11) Right on northeast fork of Anderson Track.
  • (12) Left on Scenic Drive for 400m.
  • (13) Left on driveway to Pukematekeo, right up to summit, then back down to driveway loop.
  • (14) Left down Pukematekep Track.
  • (15) Left on Falls Road back down to car park (P).

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Bring:

  • lunch and drink + additional snack food
  • footwear suitable for tramping tracks
  • clothing suitable for late winter
  • rain protection
  • copy of hike route map (on paper or mobile device)
  • plastic bags for wet and dirty footwear & clothing
  • additional clean clothing & footwear to change into after hike
  • first-aid items (at least for cuts and scratches)
  • cash ($10 if carpool passenger (bring exact change); optional extra for refreshments)

Additional Notes:

  • 9:30am is the latest time to arrive at New World and 10:10am is latest time for direct people to arrive at Falls Road car park. We aim to leave New World and start hike exactly on time. We are unlikely to wait for late people. Arriving early is good :-)
  • It is safer and generally more fun to hike together as a group. We aim to do this with stops at track junctions and other points for group to regather. However, there's no guarantee this will happen so prepare well for this hike in case you become separated from group.
  • There are compost toilets at Falls Road car park and Waitakere Dam, and flush toilets near bottom of Filter Track.
  • We have previously hiked all these tracks, but this will be the first time we hike this route and go down Pukematekeo Track from east to west.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Preparation:
It is important to be well prepared. Before we meet:

  • Know how to get to all meeting places (even if you won't be driving, you may need to help navigate) and set up GPS if you have one.
  • Study hike details & maps well enough so you are sure you can complete hike on your own if you need to (in case you become separated from group).
  • Prepare everything you need to bring (if you need anything from supermarket then arrive early).
  • If you might be driving, have car fuelled and ready to go.

Clean Footwear:
Everyone is asked to clean footwear before we meet for at least 2 reasons:

  • To help prevent spread of kauri dieback disease (we will also use any footwear cleaning stations provided on hike)
  • To avoid dirtying someone else's car (use plastic bags for muddy footwear after hike too).

Weather Forecast Links:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

RSVP Questions:

  • When you RSVP, you need to answer the following multi-choice questions ...
    (1) Have you read the full description carefully; do you understand this hike includes rough and muddy tramping tracks with very steep up and down hill climbs and a stream crossing; are you willing to get wet feet and muddy footwear; do you accept you are responsible for your own safety and preparation; are you sure you are fit and experienced enough to complete this hike with group at medium pace okay; and will you make every effort to keep up with middle of group if you start to fall behind?
    -- (Z) Yes to whole question
    -- Any other answer will not be accepted.
    (2) What is your transport situation for carpool from New World?
    -- (A) have transport, can offer rides
    -- (B) will bring transport, can drive if needed but prefer a ride
    -- (C) need a ride
    -- (D) not meeting at New World, going direct to Falls Road car park.

*Note: "Z" is the only valid answer to question 1 to declare you are honestly answering yes to the whole question (and show you have at least read the question). Any other answer (including "Y" or "yes") will not be accepted. If you can not honestly answer yes to whole question, you are asked not to RSVP.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

RSVP Guide:

  • If you are interested to attend then follow these steps in the correct order :-)
    (1) Read the full details of this description carefully first.
    -- You need to do this and be sure this meetup is suitable for you and that you can honestly answer yes to whole of question 1 before you continue.
    (2) Prepare your answers to the 2 RSVP questions specified above.
    (3) RSVP Yes online; before RSVPs close 7:15pm Friday;
    (4) Answer the 2 RSVP questions as required when you RSVP;
    -- You will normally be prompted to answer the questions when you RSVP.
    -- The prompt provides a single space to enter both your answers and doesn't include the questions so step 2 above is essential.
    -- Enter single letter answers for each question, separated by a space, and you can answer in more detail after this if you like.
    (5) If you are not prompted to answer the questions when you RSVP (or you didn't answer) then ...
    -- Try to "change" your RSVP (without changing from Yes to No). This will normally cause prompt to appear.
    -- If this doesn't work for you on app, try website.
    -- If you can't find any way to answer the questions when you RSVP, then message your answers to Stephen (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/members/7405475/).
    (6) If you don't answer the questions as required, your RSVP will be changed to No soon after this is noticed.
    -- If this happens to you, you can change your RSVP back to Yes if you answer the questions as required.
    (7) If you decide later not to attend, change your RSVP to No, thanks :-)

  • Stephen

Events in Auckland, NZ
Photo of Auckland Hiking Group (Est.2006) group
Auckland Hiking Group (Est.2006)
See more events
Auckland Hiking Group (Est.2006)
Photo of Auckland Hiking Group (Est.2006) group
Victoria Park New World
Scotland Street, Freemans Bay · Auckland
Photo of Auckland Hiking Group (Est.2006) group
Auckland Hiking Group (Est.2006)
public group