Hunua ranges, Pukapuka track loop (Intermediate level)

Slightly harder level of difficulty than standard hikes but it won't bother regular hikers. Good level of fitness required. On our 1 - 5 difficulty rating this is a 3.5 due to distance and steep hills. Please make sure you are ok to hike at a moderate pace including up hills before RSVPing.

Walking Time just over 7 hours including breaks depending on fitness of the group. This will test your fitness!

The start and end of the hike are on gravel roads. Some steep uphill and downhill sections along Pukapuka Track. We will also take a short side trip to Mangatangi Trig.

Distance: approx. 16km
Technical rating: 3 out of 5 (moderate)
Fitness rating: 3.5 out of 5 (moderate to hard)

Led by Helen KF (021 0282 3600)

A great hike in the Hunuas starting from Upper Mangatawhiri Reservoir. Features of this hike include the dam, reservoir, views from the trig and native forest…here’s the plan…

Arrive at 8.45 am at Upper Mangatawhiri Dam carpark, Waterline Rd. Driving instructions: from Hunua Road turn left down Moumoukai Road. Follow this as it turns into ARA Drive and enters the park area. ARA Drive merges into Waterline Road. There is a carpark next to the main campsite where we can park. Toilets are available here as well.

9.00am – start hiking up Waterline Rd and over the dam then up Lilburne Rd

10.00am - reach Pukapuuka track and continue on

12.30 - 1pm approx - stop for lunch break somewhere along the track

1pm - Continue to end of track, detour to trig then return to carpark along A.R.A. Drive

4.00pm – approx. finishing time

Bring - Normal hiking gear and have warm base layers like merino or thermal clothes on or in your pack in case of bad weather, a raincoat, strong footwear with great grip. A hiking pole is also useful for some of the steeper sections.

Food - Bring your own lunch, snacks, fruit and enough water (min 2l)

Also please bring a change of clothes and footwear particularly if carpooling.

No guests. If you have friends who want to come get them to join Auckland Outdoors. If you can no longer attend please update your RSVP immediately to allow others to join. If you cancel after 5pm the night before or don't show up this will be counted as a No Show. 3 No Shows will mean you cannot join another event for 6 months.

This is a great hike but does have some challenging sections so please make sure you are ok with this and able to do it before coming along :)

Suggest carpooling. Please comment when you rsvp whether you need a lift / can offer lifts, which part of Auckland and your mobile number. It’s up to you to arrange this among yourselves. Please bring $20 cash for your drivers if carpooling or make arrangements to pay them via direct bank transfer.

Donation - Due to increased Meetup subscription costs we ask all members to contribute $2 for this hike. You can either bring a gold coin on the day or make the donation direct to our dedicated bank account:

Helen Kerslake-Forbes 06-0998-0909890-03

Any donation money remaining after our 6 monthly subscription is paid will go towards safety gear for the group.

Be sure to read all the details before you RSVP.

I look forward to sharing this walk with you all!
Helen