The pristine walking and cycling path along Tamaki Drive offrers striking views of the city skyline from across the bay as well as sections of sweeping beach. It’s the most centrally located, spectacular run in Auckland. Overall, the route is up to 12 km one-way, from Silo Park east to Achilles Pt./Glover Park. Tamaki Dr. starts in the area of Dove-Myer Robinson Park.

You can start downtown and run along the Viaduct/Quay St., which adds 3 km. This section is a bit more industrial, being in the ferry/port area, and some of the water views are blocked. From Dove-Myer Robinson Park in Judges Bay (where you can literally stop and smell the roses at a huge heritage garden), follow Tamaki Drive east along the water and wind around Okahu Bay, MJ Savage Memorial Park, Mission Bay, and finally St. Heliers Bay. St. Heliers, at the end of the line, is a great spot to relax with a post-workout treat. You can drop down to the beach in some sections, such as Mission Bay and St. Heliers for a jaunt on the sand, though the path is pretty sweet, too.

Buses run regularly between downtown and St. Heliers, so it’s easy to do a one-way run.

Note: that the Tamaki Drive walkway is shared by cyclists and rollerbladers, the latter of which local runners say can be particularly aggressive.