Need to run away from city life? The Okura Bush Walkway, in Auckland’s East Coast bay, is a tough, hilly track through the bush perfect, for a longer adventure. This out and back in the Okura Bush Scenic Reserve starts at the Haigh Access Road, crosses the Okura River, and ascends steadily until reaching Karepiro Bay. Then comes the fun part: a monster staircase you can sprint down and back up before enjoying a leisurely downhill return. If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can take the walkway all the way to Stillwater and back, but this mapped route out to the Bay and back is plenty challenging. Our map is an estimate, so check out this trail map before you go.
Trail Map
Russell Street
Features:
Scroll Down For Route Maps
Essentials
- 9 km (5.6 miles) out and back
- 758 feet (!!)
- Haigh Access Road Trailhead
- Car needed. About 1/2 hr. drive from Auckland. Parking at the end of the Haigh Access Road
Current Weather & Forecast
Auckland, NZ
7:21 am,
Jun 4, 2026
overcast clouds
10°C
L: 9°
H: 11°
Daily ForecastHourly Forecast
Today
9:00 am
9° / 11°°C
0 mm
0%
8 mph
33 %
1023 mb
0 mm/h
Tomorrow
9:00 am
18° / 27°°C
0 mm
0%
11 mph
66 %
1023 mb
0 mm/h
Saturday
9:00 am
19° / 26°°C
0 mm
0%
10 mph
70 %
1022 mb
0 mm/h
Sunday
9:00 am
20° / 27°°C
0 mm
0%
12 mph
81 %
1020 mb
0 mm/h
Monday
9:00 am
21° / 29°°C
0 mm
0%
17 mph
86 %
1017 mb
0 mm/h
Today
9:00 am
26° / 27°°C
0 mm
0%
8 mph
33 %
1023 mb
0 mm/h
Today
12:00 pm
22° / 24°°C
0 mm
0%
8 mph
42 %
1022 mb
0 mm/h
Today
3:00 pm
20° / 20°°C
0 mm
0%
7 mph
57 %
1023 mb
0 mm/h
Today
6:00 pm
19° / 19°°C
0 mm
0%
3 mph
54 %
1022 mb
0 mm/h
Today
9:00 pm
18° / 18°°C
0 mm
0%
6 mph
66 %
1021 mb
0 mm/h
Tomorrow
12:00 am
20° / 20°°C
0 mm
0%
7 mph
62 %
1023 mb
0 mm/h
Tomorrow
3:00 am
24° / 24°°C
0 mm
0%
5 mph
41 %
1023 mb
0 mm/h
Other Routes in Auckland, New Zealand
The pristine walking and cycling path along Tamaki Drive from Judges Bay to St. Heliers delivers striking views of the city skyline from across the bay as well as sections of sweeping beach. It's 8.1 km one-way, with frequent buses between the two points.
This quick, centrally located run is a favorite of local business people who want to squeeze in a lunchtime jog. It’s also favored by night runners for the lights on the brilliant hot pink Nelson Street Cycleway, and the Viaduct is a great place to watch the ships come and go.
We love this popular loop through Auckland Domain — which is the equivalent of Auckland’s Central Park. It traverses all of the park’s best features, including a look at The Auckland War Memorial Museum, a quaint pond, and a run down Lover’s Lane.
The wooden walkway and bridge around Orakei Basin makes for a fun, quick run with great water views the whole way. Can be combined with Tamaki Drive or Auckland Domain.
Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower has arguably the best views in the city, but if you prefer surveying the landscape in fresh air, a run up the summit of Mt. Eden is just the ticket.
These lovely shared use paths along the peninsula will take you from Pakuranga to the point of Buckland's Beach. Water views much of the way. The whole path is 13.6 km one-way. A bus runs between the two points, making a long one-way run possible.
Cornwall Park is home to Auckland’s famous One Tree Hill, and in fact, a number of other hills which make this seemingly easy park run a pleasantly surprising challenge complete with rolling farmland.
If sand running is your jam, don’t miss Takapuna Beach, a lovely stretch of flat sand with unbeatable views of Rangitoto Island and the Hauraki Gulf.
A great run on the southern point of Auckland's North Shore peninsula, featuring waterside roads, the North Shore Reserve, and a jaunt up Mount Victoria. Great views of Torpedo Bay and the Auckland skyline.
The trail to Kitekite Falls isn’t a long run, so we’ve paired it with a road run out to the Tasman Lookout, making for a picturesque tour of Piha (a village about an hour outside of Auckland).
Barry Curtis Park is home to Parkrun, a free group 5k held every Saturday morning.
Western Springs Park is home to Parkrun, a free group 5k held every Saturday morning.
User Ratings
Leave A Review or Comment
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!