From Matakana township up the valley and then up the hill soon joining the track through the Waiwhiu valley and up again to the Dome summit, then down to the Dome tearooms on SH1 just north of Warkworth - 21.6 km - 5.5 hours
One day the Matakana dogleg of busy roads will be replaced by the Western Tamahunga track. But not yet, so up the valley road from the township to the hills, and then winding up and up to a minor road turnoff. Along that road with views out to the north as far as the Mangawhai Cliffs and Whangarei Heads which I now know a lot better than a week ago.
Then to the start of the tramping track that goes first along a forest road, t
hen wends its way down a ridge line into the Waiwhiu Valley. The track winds its way on the hill side of the stream for a while, then does a quick dive across the stream at a place of large boulders (picture), and then out into the open on a forestry road. A side road then goes up the other side of the valley, before the tramping track resumes near the top. That then follows the ridge line around to the Dome summit (with views out to Omaha / Kawau), and then heads down to the end of the track on the side of SH1
The western tamahunga track exists, I did it in Dec-09. It's just way overgrown, hard to follow and you have to ask one property owner nicely to cross his land. He says people occasionally do it.
ReplyDeleteAll the best for the rest of your journey.
I walked this section (in the opposite direction) in December. Very nice walk through the Dome Walkway - some very nice kauri, and great bush walking. Crossing SH1 would be a big "wake up call"!
ReplyDeleteAll the best with your walk into Auckland and beyond.
Cheers
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