The Te Henga Walkway is no longer a 10km through-track. Due to major cliff collapses, the middle section is permanently closed and likely won’t be rebuilt in our lifetime. Today, you should choose one of these two “out-and-back” tracks.
Option 1: The Muriwai End (Best for Epic Clifftop Views)
This is the most popular choice for 2026. It’s well-maintained and offers that classic “edge of the world” feeling.
- The Route: From Constable Road to Tirikohua Point.
- Distance: ~3.6km return (allow 2 hours).
- The Experience: You’ll start high and descend steep steps through farm valleys. The highlight is the new viewpoint at Tirikohua Point, which gives you a panoramic view of the “broken” coastline looking south.
- Starting Point: Carpark at the end of Constable Road (off Oaia Road), Muriwai.
Woodhill Forest is just down the road from this end of the track, so if you’ve still got legs left after the clifftop walk, the 2 Hours Mountain Bike Hire at Woodhill is an easy way to keep the day outdoors.
Option 2: The Bethells End (Best for Beach Lovers)
Choose this end if you want to visit a secluded beach or if you’re travelling with kids who love sand dunes.
- The Route: From Bethells Road to Raetahinga Point or O’Neill Bay.
- Distance: ~4km return (allow 2–3 hours).
- The Experience: You’ll cross a bridge over the Waitākere River and climb up the hills. You can drop down into the massive dunes of O’Neill Bay (a local favorite) or continue up the “Devil’s Staircase” to the Raetahinga Point lookout.
- Warning: Beyond Raetahinga Point, the track is heavily overgrown and becomes dangerous. Do not attempt to push through to Muriwai.
The “No-Go” List
- No Dogs: This is non-negotiable. The track crosses private farmland with livestock and sensitive bird habitats. Dogs are strictly prohibited at all times.
- No Bicycles: The terrain is far too steep and fragile for mountain bikes.
Kauri Protection Waitākere Ranges are at the heart of the fight against Kauri Dieback.
- Scrub Your Shoes: You’ll find cleaning stations at both track entrances. Use them! Moving even a tiny bit of soil can kill a 1,000-year-old tree.
Safety & Facilities
- Mobile Signal: Expect zero bars once you leave the carpark. Download your maps for offline use before you head out.
- The “Iron Sand” Heat: If you drop down to the beach at O’Neill Bay in summer, do not go barefoot. The black sand can reach temperatures high enough to cause second-degree burns.
- Water: There is no drinking water on either track. Pack at least 1.5 liters per person.
Nearby “Bonus” Walk: Lake Wainamu If you’re at the Bethells end, the Lake Wainamu Track is right across the road. Note for 2026: You can walk to the lake and the waterfall, but the full loop around the lake is still closed due to slips. It’s best used as a spot for a freshwater swim after your clifftop hike.
Walks Nearby
- Muriwai Gannet Colony Cliff Top Walk
- Whatipu Caves Coast Walk
- Lake Wainamu Sand Dunes Falls Loop
- Karekare Falls
- Kitekite Falls
If you want another slice of that rugged West Coast scenery, the Piha Beach, Black Sand & Waterfalls Tour takes in more of that coastline and a couple of waterfalls on the same stretch of coast.
