HAMILTON – AUCKLAND

Section Distance = 164 km

Total Distance = 2313 km

HAMILTON – HUNTLY 

Leaving Hamilton behind my journey continues along the Te Awa Riverride Cycleway making fast progress along the flats.

That is until I reached the Hakarimata Walkway and began the STEEP climb up hundreds of steps to the lookout (amazing views), across the ridge (welcome back tree root trails) and the STEEP descent down several hundred more steps on the other side…

“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you!” Fred De Vito 

I encountered my first boot cleaning station, set up to protect the area from Kauri dieback.

The Campground in Huntly is right by a lake and setting up my tent under the big shade trees was a welcome relief after the final hot roadwalk into town. 

 

HUNTLY – RANGIRIRI 

After leg day over the ranges the day before I was glad of a slightly shorter hiking day from Huntly to Rangiriri. I’m camped behind the award winning Rangiriri Pie Shop and after trying one of Cathie’s delicious (and huge) pies I can fully understand the hype 😋 🥧

This is a classic stop for TA’s on their journey, because who can pass up yummy food on trail 🤷‍♀️

 

RANGIRIRI – MERCER – DRURY 

Short version… road walking! But at least they led me to more lovely trail angels along the way. 

DRURY – AUCKLAND AIRPORT 

The suburbs at least have footpaths to walk on instead of having to be literally on the road… 

When people consider thru-hiking in NZ the most common images are the stunning moss forests, rivers, backcountry and beaches. But to reach them the trail also passes through the largest cities in the country.  

AUCKLAND AIRPORT – AUCKLAND CBD 

What an unexpectedly lovely day! After resigning myself to more city walking and spending the first few km’s from the airport dodging trucks along Imumatao Road I entered the Otuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve (a really interesting geological and culturally historic archeological site), which led to the Watercare Coastal Walkway (very pleasant with lots of birdlife) where I met Jackie, Phil and Kim (SOBO TA’s) as well as a group of bird watchers who helped me add to my native species list. 

It was back to roads and footpaths after that with a small climb up Mt Eden (because we definitely can’t go around the only big hill in the area) which afforded panoramic views over the CBD and beyond!

Rest day in the big smoke before continuing my adventure into northland…

 

Next, I’m leaving the city behind and tackling my first tidal estuary crossings in Te Araroa Part 18.