Do you find walking is one of the best ways to make the most of a City?
I do, and Auckland is no exception. It gets me moving, raises my heart rate, and for my efforts, I enjoy some seriously stunning routes on offer. Most of my walks were enjoyed on what are typical Auckland days, showers interspersed with bright sunshine.
During my early days in Auckland, I discovered I didn’t need to wander far to enjoy a heart-pounding walk. It was only 1.1 kms away. Just far enough away to warm up those calf muscles.
My first introduction to this walk was via Glenfell Place, a quaint, cherry blossom-lined street and, at the very end, a challenging flight of steps. They’re not too arduous as I achieved it reasonably quickly; okay, I admit I was puffing like Billy Goat Gruff, though my aim, unlike Billy, was to increase my fitness, not my girth.
By the time I reached the top, it was halfway up the mountain. I then chose to continue straight ahead and upwards on an off-road track or turn left and take the easy-going road route. I was feeling up for a challenge; it was my first time, so I took the off-road track, found it interesting and added it to my cardio workout.
You can guess which route I took on my second time up there. What can I say? The easy-going road route was more gentle on my niggling lower back and exceedingly more scenic. Since I had tackled half the mount via the steps, it wasn’t long before I caught a glimpse of the mountain summit. Which is the highest geographical point in Auckland; views of the Manukau and Waitematā harbours, Rangitoto and beyond took my breath away, and for a moment, I didn’t have a care in the world.
Views from the top
Snapshots of other ways to the summit:
It was worth the effort on more than one occasion; it was the best distraction of all; being out in fresh air enjoying nature no matter what the weather threw at me.
Life at No. 22 
I love walking. I think its a great way to explore. I never found this walk, but I did my fair share of walking in New Zealand. I found NZ (and OZ) really well set up for walking to see everything with all the walkways etc 🙂
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I do like the boardwalk pictures–the symmetry of them. I find it hard to walk up steep inclines. The gentler the better. 🙂
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Hi Suzanne, I’m joining from Robin’s Walktober site. What a lovely walk you shared. It looked like a nice spring day (loved that pink tree!). The views were magnificent en route and at the summit. I’m impressed with your tackling all those stairs! But I’d say the views were worth it.
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Oh my! That first picture with the pink tree! You are in spring and it’s so good to see as we head into fall. I will probably never get to your part of the world so it’s so fun to see it! Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks very much and we were fortunate to experience some lovely spring blossoms this year. We don’t usually spend this much time in Auckland as we live further down the country in Tauranga.
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This was such a beautiful walk. Thank you so much for joining Walktober this year, Suzanne. I love seeing what spring looks like in your part of the world. The opposites (autumn in the northern hemisphere, spring in the south), even though I know the why’s of it, always seem magical to me. 🙂
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Thanks very much, Robin. I also think it’s magical, even though common sense tells us otherwise.
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What a beautiful walk, Suzanne. Thank you for introducing us to your corner of the world. I think taking both routes is a smart move 😉
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You’re welcome, Dale. Always good to have an alternative route. A change is as good as a holiday. So, they say 🙂
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Glad you had the energy to make i up that hill and show us the great views from the summit.
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It’s a good stress release and I always seems to muster up the energy and drive. Yes, the view was worth the huffing and puffing.
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What a lovely place – I love the boardwalk.
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Thanks very much, Sue. The boardwalk is an excellent idea as it protects the rim and surrounding area. It is a very popular place to walk and always good to see a wide range of ages enjoying the area.
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What a gorgeous walk and breathtaking views. I wholeheartedly agree with you: If you want to truly know a city — walk it!
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Donna, the whole package of seeing both native birds and trees all thriving within a city is a big plus for me.
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I would love a view like that on my walks. Enjoy it for the both of us.
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What beautiful views and I love the greenness of the crater!
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I’m impressed, Suzanne. I would have needed several bags of jelly beans to make it up that mountain and then I wouldn’t have been to walk for a week. By the look of it, there’s not much room for Auckland between sea and mountain.
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I love seeing the Spring blossoms. We will have to wait another few months.
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Yes, you will though in the meantime you have the lovely autumn colours to enjoy.
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Had an inkling you might written about your Mt Eden walk, so I am glad I checked …
Breathtaking, as I thought! and a stunning contribution to Walktober!
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Thanks very much, Ju-Lyn and I enjoy going up the hill on a regular basis. Luckily in our home area there is another largish hill that I can enjoy.
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Proximity is so wonderful! Enjoy the hill treks!
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Stunning views, thanks for the tour 🙂
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You’re welcome, Cathy 🙂
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A splendid walk well photographed
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Thanks very much, Derrick.
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That’s a lot of stairs! I’d probably give it a shot, though. That crater is such a luscious green bowl. Stunning views you’ve captured all around.
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I keep thinking every time I see the crater that it would be fun to slide down there on a piece of cardboard, the kid in me coming out. Of course, it’s not allowed due to the area being a historic site and sacred. I don’t always do the stairs.
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It’s hard to get a feel for the size of it, but it must be larger than it seems in the photo. I ran down into a crater in Death Valley (climbing back out – not as fun).
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Of course you would give it a go, not too arduous and the bird life as well as the trees are lovely distractions on the way up and down.
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Thanks for the lovely stroll! Nice to get out and about in NZ.
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You’re welcome, Mel, more the merrier. My walks are limited to a few blocks from our accommodation until Les becomes healthier. Luckily, the area is lovely, and I’m enjoying the tree-lined streets and parks.
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Well worth the effort I’d say, though steps aren’t my favourite, especially coming down.
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Steps aren’t a favourite of mine either, so I feel more chuffed when I challenge myself and manage to complete them in one go.
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That looks like a gorgeous hike! The best uphills are those with a stunning view at the top!
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Thanks, Janis, and yes like most things in life, dangle a reward and we are more motivated.
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Now that’s just a tad more than a stroll. I can feel my lungs burning just reading this. Images are fabulous – as always.
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Jo, I used to be a fast walker, so I class these as strolls as I’m always stopping to take photos or admire the view. Trying to keep my fitness up so I can enjoy getting back to playing senior indoor basketball when we return to Tauranga.
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Wow! What a beauty, Suzanne. Can I puff along behind you? I can cope with inclement now and again.
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Jo, it is lovely and easily walkable for the average person. You can puff beside me and see who chats the most.
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Ha! I’m a good listener when I’m climbing hills, Suzanne.
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Me too, so a very quiet walk then 🙂
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