Auckland Walkways

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Mt Albert to Hayr, via Millican, Bremner, Frost, Britten, Dornwell, Clinker – Three Kings

These, these are what I wanted to find in my area. Well used, lit, and mainly well cared for. I was really impressed with the direct route and linkages of the walkways through Mt Roskill and Three Kings. Bypassing the main roads and taking a leisurely stroll through the back streets, I felt like I was discovering secrets all the way along this route.

From Mt Albert Road to Hayr Road, the walkways aligned and felt light and safe. There was a lovely stroll through I park I didn’t know was there (John Moore Reserve) and then a great boardwalk along the edge of Mt Roskill Primary School.

Crossing Frost Road and heading up to Britton Ave then down to Dornwell. I always feel like there should be even more walkways around this area, joining the industrial Carr Road area to Mt Albert Road but I guess it’s more car dominant than by foot! There are additional cycle and pedestrian areas going into Carr Road so hopefully it becomes more pleasant to wander around.

I couldn’t get photos of all of the walkways due to people being around but that just proves how well used these sneak-throughs are and how appreciated they are by the community.

Barrister Ave to Henshaw Ave, Three Kings

Sneaky! I was surprised by this sneaky walkway which cuts out about a 15 minute walk to Countdown Three Kings.

With the Three Kings Reserve back entrance to the shops closed to foot traffic, I was diverted up and over a grassy, muddy hill to arrive somewhere in suburbia. With a little google maps help to figure out my direction, I stumbled into a grassed walkway out of the park.

The entrance to this walkway was subtle and I wasn’t sure where would end up. I headed down and around the back of building and emerged onto Henshaw Ave and into the supermarket.

It’s a great use of unused land but I imagine it’s not widely used other than by those in the immediate vicinity. Maybe more now the park exit/entrance is closed on Graham Breed Drive. This one was fun!

Aroha Ave to Cornwallis St, Sandringham

This is actually one of my favourite walkways I’ve encountered. It’s a cut through from Aroha Ave in Sandringham right down into the carpark of the local St Luke’s mall and it’s just so convenient and well used.

However, it’s not remotely accessible with TWO sets of barriers to stop anything getting through it. It’s well lit and super convenient but the barriers are half way down so it’d be a pain to get half way and have to turn around. Maybe it’s designed that way to discourage trolley joy rides?

Belmont Rise to Park Road, Katikati

I know that this site is about Auckland walkways but I couldn’t pass up this sneaky one from a recent Katikati visit on the first weekend we could travel outside our own regions.

It doesn’t appear on maps but is a well used cut through for locals heading from Park Road to Francis Ave and on to the walk along the reserve. The Park Road end pops out in the middle of a private driveway with a footpath down the side of it. Cute as.

Mt Albert Road to Simmons Ave, Three Kings

Taking the opportunity to get out of the house during the crazy lock in times, I ventured out on a quick 5km dash around the neighbourhood.

Linking up Mt Albert Road and Simmons Ave in Three Kings, this walkway doesn’t seem to do much unless you live in Simmons Ave. With hefty steps at either end and only useful if you’re very able bodied, this one seems to be an unfriendly but convenient cut-through for a hand full of people only.

Fun to discover but I’m not convinced it achieves much! It was lovely to get out of the house and discover this and a fantastic guava tree on the same walk 🙂

Onslow Road to George Street, Kingsland.

I had a feeling that this walkway must exist to get people down from George Street to the primary school and train access. I was right! Out the back of the Monkey Hill Reserve is this very well maintained sneaker. With both stairs and a ramp (trolley party again!), this is quite accessible and open to all. It’s pretty steep though so be prepared for either a climb or a rapid descent.

This cute find at the top of the walkway on George Street was a nice touch and a welcome pause in a 10km walk around the streets:

Carmen Ave to Pine Street, via Volcanic Street, Balmoral.

Cruising down Carmen Ave through the extra wide walkway, down passed the Good Shepherd school entrance on Volcanic Street and popping out on Pine Street.

The entrances to these two walkways look really inviting on Carmen and Pine but good luck exiting either on anything other than foot. Slow-down-bars take up the whole width and you’d be hard pressed to get a bike through there.

These walkways look like they’re high traffic from the school and surrounding neighbourhood. Other than the nasty bars in the middle and the trolley party, they’re well maintained and easy to navigate. There used to be a geocache buried in here too, but I couldn’t ever find it!

Balmer Lane to Springwood Place, Balmoral.

This little community on Springwood Place has always had me wondering. A whole street of town houses seems a little out of place amongst the villas in the region, lovely town houses but still a bit jarring.

This walkway is an extension of the bike path between Mt Eden and Dominion Roads, a little cut through to take you to Mewburn Ave and on towards town. It’s a lovely boardwalked walkway with a secret sub walkway off the main walkway, sneaky!

Hillside Crescent, Mt Eden.

Wandering around Maungawhau (Mount Eden) and spending some time discovering one of my local maunga. The summit and volcano are closed to cars and some of the walking paths are being revitalised.

I took the opportunity to wander up Hillside Crescent and surrounding tiny (steep!) streets. I found this amazing staired secret walkway on Hillside. I started at the bottom but wasn’t sure if it was private property so found the top of the stairs and it looks like it’s open to the public, yay! Such a great set of stairs. Not a quick thoroughfare to anywhere but still a fun find.

Disraeli Street, Mt Eden.

I stumbled into a part of Mt Eden I’d never discovered before. The Textile Arts Centre with a stunning aged pathway up to the door (I got far up before I realised it was probably private property).

Then up passed the Gifford Art Centre (discovery!) and on up the hill to tennis courts and Auckland Normal School, popping out at Mt Eden shops.