Kuataika & Smyth Ridge Out-and-Back (15.4 km) — Nine Years Closed, Finally Open

Date: Saturday, 13 June 2026 Starting Point: Kuataika Track trailhead, Anawhata Road (small carpark — see location notes below) Distance: ~15.4 km (out and back) Elevation Gain: ~900 m total (climbs in both directions) Duration: ~5.5–6 hours walking Difficulty: Moderate

Event Description
In 2017, Auckland Council closed three tracks deep in the Waitākeres to protect kauri from the spread of dieback. They were upgraded, then closed again after the 2023 storms tore down ridges and slipped hillsides into valleys. Nine years later — in May 2026 — the last of them finally reopened. This walk takes us through the two that matter most for ridge walkers: Kuataika Track and Smyth Ridge Track. Almost nobody alive in Auckland today has walked these in nearly a decade. We're going to.
We start at the small Anawhata Road carpark and climb straight into the Kuataika Track (5.2 km, ~2 hr 15 min one way). This is the heart of the newly restored section: steep climbs, stream crossings, and a sustained ascent through regenerating bush to Kuataika Trig, where views open out across the ranges to the Tasman Sea. From the trig, the brand-new Smyth Ridge Track (just over a year old in walkable form) carries us along an undulating ridge to its junction with Long Road Track — the gateway into Cascade Kauri Park. This is the point where, on a longer day, you could keep going all the way to the Falls Road carpark. For us, this is where we turn around and walk it back — same tracks, opposite direction, with views and angles we didn't catch on the way out.
A good full day on the trails — around 900 m of total climb across mixed terrain, sustained ridgelines, and mid-winter Waitākeres conditions, so expect mud and slippery roots. The track is well-marked throughout. The kind of day this group has done plenty of, just in a part of the ranges most of us haven't seen in a decade.
Why out-and-back: This route would also work as a point-to-point traverse all the way through to Cascade Kauri carpark, but that involves car shuttling and longer logistics. Out-and-back keeps it simple, everyone parks together at Anawhata, and we can flex the turnaround point if weather or pace requires.
Meeting: 9:00 am at the Anawhata Road carpark (Kuataika trailhead). The carpark is small — please carpool where possible. Drive time from Auckland CBD is roughly 1 hour 15 minutes, mostly via Scenic Drive and Piha Road, with the final stretch on gravel Anawhata Road.
Location notes: The Meetup pin is approximate. The actual starting point is the small Kuataika Track trailhead carpark, partway along Anawhata Road — NOT the beach carpark at the road end. Coordinates: -36.9286, 174.46929. If you reach the locked gate to Anawhata Beach, you've gone too far — turn around and look for the trailhead signpost on the way back.
What to Bring
Gear

• Sturdy hiking boots with good grip (mud and slippery roots are guaranteed)
• Weather-appropriate layers — merino base, fleece or insulating mid-layer
• Waterproof jacket (essential — Waitākeres in June is wet)
• Hat, gloves, beanie
• Walking poles (recommended for the descents)
• Head torch with spare batteries (sunset ~5:15 pm; useful buffer)

Food and Hydration

• At least 2 litres of water
• Lunch and snacks — this is a 6-hour day on the move
• Hot drink in a thermos for the Kuataika Trig stop

Important Notes

• Your safety is your responsibility.
• Need a ride? Comment below! A $25 ($20 if more than 2 passengers) contribution to your driver is suggested.
• Kauri dieback protection: Use every boot-cleaning station on the track. Scrub then spray — every time. The whole reason we can walk this route again is the upgrade work, and we don't undo it.
• Meetup Contribution: A small $2 contribution helps cover Meetup fees and equipment costs. Transfer to Wakahi.com Limited acct number 02-0200-0260173-000.

These tracks have been closed longer than some of us have lived in Auckland. Don't miss the chance to be among the first hikers back across them. See you at Anawhata.

https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2026/05/the-waitakere-ranges-are-calling/