The tramline walk is an easy 6.5km walk which took me around 2 hours to complete. Only part of it is open

2.5 km of the tramline has been retained for the maintenance of the water pipeline. Excellent walk in Auckland’s Waitakere Ranges.

The Waitakere Dam Walk is OPEN, however the actual Waitakere Tramline Walk is CLOSED. It was closed due to Kauri Dieback. For further information on this terrible disease please refer to this website:www.kauridieback.co.nz

View the status of all walks in the Waitakere Ranges National Park

Quick Facts about this walk

  • Location: Waitakere  Ranges, Auckland, North Island NZ
  • Distance: 6.50 kms
  • Time needed: 2 Hours
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Wheelchair Access: No
  • Route: Round Trip
  • Elevation: 330m
  • Wet Feet: No
  • Toilets: Yes
  • Dogs: No
  • Mobile Coverage: Yes

My summary points about this walk

Walk Highlights

Walking along the dam before you get back onto the Waitakere Tramline Walk. And the first 20 minutes of the walk along the tramline.

Track Quality

Very well maintained until you reach the last 20 minutes where it turns to slippery clay.

Hazards

Steep cliffs at the dam face and also along the start of the tram track.

Transport

You'll have to make your own way here as there is no public transport to this walk.

Water

Water only at the caretakers house down at the dam. The toilets are down at the dam.

Driving Instructions

Head towards Henderson Valley on Mountain Rd. Turn right onto Scenic Dr. Look for the carpark on your left.

Shops & Restaurants Nearby

Glen Eden and Henderson have some great options.

Area & Trail History

The Waitakere Dam is this big deal water supply dam that sits in the Waitakere Ranges. They put it up in the early 1900s, and let me tell you, it's been a real game-changer for Auckland ever since. It's been keeping the city hydrated for years, and you know how? It holds back the waters of the Waitakere River, making this awesome spot called the Waitakere Reservoir, where Auckland stores a ton of its water. It's a major player in keeping the city's water supply in check!

Map Location of Waitakere Dam walk

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Description of the Waitakere Dam Tramline Walk

Waitakere Dam carpark at the beginning of the walk.

Waitakere Dam Car Park

You can’t miss this car park, it is on the Waitakere Scenic Drive and right at the main gate down to the dam which is locked, so you have to walk down to the dam.

Lovely view of the Waitakaere Dam from the road
Road down to the Waitakaere Dam

To the dam – 20 minutes

The walk is a very easy 124m downhill walk on an excellent sealed road. The grass paddocks you can see in the valley out to your right are the golf greens at the end of Falls Road. Or better known as, Cascades picnic area.

50m before the dam, on your right, is the start of the tram track, and just another 10m further on, are two very clean toilets, this is your last chance. If you want to go down to the base of the dam, and get a fantastic view of the valley below, just before you start walking across the dam, take the steps on the left to the bottom, and then walk out onto the cliff face. Don’t cross the wire fence. You will not survive the fall.

Shelter on the Waitakere Dam walk
Walking along the old tramline tracks
First Tunnel along the tramline track
Lunch stop along the track
Watch out for the big drop off along the track
Looking down towards the old Waitakaere Tramline

Time for a lunch stop

Following the tram track is a very easy walk. I did this walk in open toe sandals. Keep looking out to your left, you will see the cliff I warned you about. Around 20 minutes you will arrive at the first tunnel.

This tunnel is only 70m long, you can walk through without a torch. 2 minutes. This would be a great place to stop for lunch, you could take advantage of the shelter on a cold day or sit on one of the picnic tables and enjoy the sun.

Last tunnel is closed off so you have to walk around
Sign post to the Anderson track Turnoff

Last Tunnel - 20 minutes

Westend tunnel is blocked off; you will have to detour around the side of the ridge to get on to Anderson track. This section of track can get a little rough.

Anderson track to Scenic Drive Road is getting a bit rough now
Anderson track to Scenic Drive Road is getting a bit rough now

15 mins to Scenic Drive Road

Turn right, this track is your typical Waitakere walking track. A little muddy and slippery if wet. 20 mins, back to the car park. Scenic Drive Road can be very busy in the weekends. The road is very narrow, be careful when walking around the tight corners.

Here's a great video on the walk

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