Walk Auckland's volcanoes and get fit for summer

Spring continues to tease us as we wait for the summer!  Let's make the most of those few warm, sunny, late spring days, and get fit for summer.

A pleasant way to step up our walking fitness, is to explore Auckland's many volcanoes – there are over 50!  When was the last time you enjoyed the view from the summits?  Each volcano is unique and here is a list of our self-guided walks brochures for you to choose from:  Volcano Walks in Auckland

Have you spotted the newly released book "Walking for Fitness, Pleasure and Health'? It is a complete guide for women of all ages. This book is designed to meet the needs of all women who want to know the basics of walking. Buy the book online Walking for Fitness  It can also be purchased as an eBook Walking for Fitness

We would appreciate your feedback - either at our website or on our Facebook page. Share your thoughts and ideas with fellow walkers.

We have a large collection of Auckland walks at our website Short Walks in Auckland

Three walks around Onehunga | Short walks in Auckland

Onehunga, the port town nestled on the edge of Manukau harbour is steeped in early settler history. It’s first European history dates back to 1835 read more... Onehunga’s History

Before then the Maori were well established on the fortified One Tree Hill.

Walking around the township of Onehunga, you are rewarded by its unique shops mingled with old cottages and the remains of its history.

We have documented three walks around Onehunga:

1.     Onehunga to Pah Homestead - The Onehunga Railway station is a great spot to arrive in Onehunga at the southern end of the mall.   From here you can either amble slowly and enjoy the curious collection of shops or just push on up the hill. Take a break at Pah Homestead – enjoy the TSB Wallace Arts Collection and refreshments at the cafe.

2.     Onehunga Foreshore - The walk follows the edge of the Onehunga Bay Reserve and then the edge of Manukau Harbour. In summer, I would expect to see more shore birds. Even though the walk passes through part of the industrial area of Onehunga, it is still interesting.

3.     Mangere Bridge to Onehunga Loop - This walk takes in views of Mangere Mountain and Manukau Harbour from the old Mangere Bridge, the harbour shore birds, mangrove swamp area, Onehunga Wharf, Onehunga Mall, a dog off-leash area in Onehunga Bay Reserve, Jellicoe Park (with its historical houses, picnic tables, children’s playground and public swimming pool). With a distance of 7.5kms, it is a bit longer than our usual walks.

Both Onehunga and Mangere Bridge Village have a good collection of cafes to drop into.

These Auckland walks brought to you by Short Walks in Auckland

Five Short circular walks in Auckland from Symonds Street

Short Walks in Auckland have complied 5 free walks from the University of Auckland’s Symonds Street campus, to enable staff and students to enjoy a walk in their day.

Each walk is circular and takes 40 to 45 minutes.

1.      Auckland Domain Loop.
Description: A mix of level paths, steps and slightly inclined paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. To see: Auckland Domain, Kauri Trees, Historical Buildings, Auckland High Court
Time: approx. 40 minutes. (about 3.94 kms)

2.      Karangahape Road Loop.
Description: A mix of level paths, steps and slightly inclined paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. To see: Symonds Street Cemetery, Historical Buildings, Albert Park, Auckland Art gallery, Khartoum Place, Myers Park
Time: approx. 40 minutes. (about 3.67 kms)

3.      Parnell Loop
Description: A mix of level paths, steps and slightly inclined paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. To see: Auckland Domain, Kauri Trees, Historical Buildings, Auckland High Court, Parnell Cottages
Time: approx. 40 minutes. (about 3.65 kms)

4.      Britomart Loop
Description: A mix of level paths, steps and slightly inclined paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. To see: Historical Buildings, Auckland High Court, Albert Park, Auckland Art Gallery, Britomart

Time: approx. 40 minutes. (about 3.72 kms)

5.      Quay Street Loop
Description: A mix of level paths, steps and slightly inclined paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility.
To see: Historical Buildings, Ferry Building, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Old NZ parliament building site
Time: approx. 45 minutes. (about 4.19 kms)

Short Walks in Auckland

University Of Auckland Walks - from Grafton campus

Stage Two of the University of Auckland short walks project, with five walking circuits starting and ending from the Grafton campus in Park Road.

These five walks take about 40 to 45 minutes, are circular and are all different:

1.      Mount Eden Loop
This walk takes you to the foot of Mount Eden and returns via the Grafton Bridge.  There are minimal traffic light controls, which gives you the opportunity for a steady workout.
Time:Approx.45 minutes (about 4kms)

2.     Auckland Domain Loop
This walk will help you forget that you live and/or work in a city – it takes you into the native bush of the Auckland Domain for a refreshing break, where you can get off the concrete and hear the birds.
Time:Approx.45 minutes (about 3.86kms)

3.     Auckland Town Hall Loop
This diverse walk explores the busy city streets of Karangahape Road and Symonds Street, and gives you a refreshing break in Myers and  Albert Parks.
Time: approx. 45 minutes. (about 4.36 kms)

4.     Newmarket Loop
This diverse walk explores the back streets of Newmarket, and gives you a refreshing short break in the Auckland Domain.
Time: approx. 45 minutes. (about 3.93 kms)

5.     Parnell Loop
This walk takes in Auckland Domain, a brief visit to Parnell’s Scarborough Reserve and returns along Auckland Domain’s bush track.
Time: approx. 45 minutes. (about 4.26 kms)

You can download these free University Of Auckland walks when you enter your contact details here
Stay on track…get other detailed guides with maps from our Walks Store

Take your pick from 5 walks around Newmarket

Looking for a weekend urban walk in Auckland?  Head down to Newmarket and take your pick from 5 walks

Newmarket is a lively area with a wide choice of shops, cafes, cinemas and restaurants.

For people who live or work in or near Newmarket, these five walks in Auckland take you through the back streets starting from Newmarket Railway Station.

It is very easy for visitors to Auckland to catch a train or bus from Britomart. Or if you are travelling by car, then you could start from a place where parking is easy along the loop.

1.       Mt Eden Loop

2.       Hobson Bay Walkway Loop

3.       Mount St John Loop

4.       Auckland Museum loop

5.       Parnell Loop

New! Seats in Auckland Video armchair adventure

New video!

Get your headset on, sit back and enjoy 'Seats in Auckland' – an inspiring mini walking tour of Auckland...without leaving home

Brought to you by Short Walks in Auckland

Lost in the city and the technology

One of the things that is a major challenge when we go hunting for a new walk in Auckland, is the lack of signs.

Even though we have smart phones and Goggle maps, the walkways are not shown.

Which is why our self-guides provide clear directions to keep you on track along with a map. 

Hopefully, you won’t get lost like this recent visitor to Auckland!

The Wynyard Quarter has nice walks, but getting around them can be ... On a recent visit to Auckland, I saw the future - and it was scary.

Read more: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10816709

<<<<<< Nice arrows, but where are they pointing to?????

Brought to you by Helen Wenley at Short Walks in Auckland