Keen walker David Mallowes offers suggestions about fun and interesting routes people can take to get some exercise and enjoy the area in his latest column.
The Whitford Bridle Trail has 4.5km, 7km and 11km options.
This is a lovely walk along the Turanga Creek coastline on a wide, shaded, undulating bridle trail.
There’s some roadside walking, then a beautiful open track along mainly mangrove coastline, followed by an option to walk through the Ayrlies wetlands trails (a pretty area below Ayrlies Gardens).
The QR code below this time links to the Relive website, a one-minute satellite view video including photos along the way.
Park at the Potts Road Esplanade Reserve carpark. Access from Potts Road at the intersection with Clifton Road. Continue ahead along the metal carpark road.
Set out along the trail from the parking area entrance. From the Esplanade you can return via Potts Road or via Clifton Road or continue for the full circuit along Henson Road.
For detailed directions and printable maps visit www.facebook.com/walksouteastauckland.
Time your visit right and there can be many wading birds along the shores and in the wetland. You may like to combine your walk with a visit to the Ayrlie Gardens – see the Ayrlies website for visiting information – for over 50 years Bev McConnell and family have worked on creating a four-hectare homestead garden with large lawns, ponds and waterfalls. It’s well worth a visit.
Toilets along the walk – sorry, none.
Dogs – yes, on-leash.
Playgrounds – none, this is a rural area.
Push-chairs – manageable but a little challenging on parts of the bridle path, the coastal trail from Henson Road is probably a no with narrow parts and some steps.
Horses – please stop and be very courteous to them as this is a bridle path.
Checklist: Water bottle, sunscreen, sunhat, mobile phone, mini first-aid kit, map/directions print-out.
Like to walk with others? Walkers and joggers from the Pakuranga Athletic Club head out from the Cascades Road clubrooms at 9am Tuesdays and Thursdays. See their website.
QR code – www.relive.cc/view/vdORE1w2Rrv
