September 1, 2012 - Tasman Lookout Track - Piha, New Zealand
From Auckland head west. That's about all I really know. I'd been to New Zealand, specifically Auckland before, and yet somehow I'd never made it to Auckland's west coast beaches. Surf beaches they are called, and crazy I was called for wanting to visit them in the winter. However, the good luck I had been enjoying so far held out. The weather stayed within the city limits and the sun broke through the clouds and even warmed me out of my multiple layers.
The road into Piha is a bit tricky, windy and beautiful. My recommendation: find a local so you can kick back, enjoy the ride and take pictures. (Not to mention they drive on the wrong side of the road which makes for a few intense left hand turns.) As you descend into Piha take a minute and borrow the steep driveway off the left hand shoulder for a great picture opportunity. Don't worry if you miss it, you'll be able to stop again on the way out.
Once you enter the actual town of Piha head toward the left side of the beach. In the center of the beach, that large land-form you see is known as Lion Rock. It splits the beach into two sections. The left section is the one you'll be hiking on. Don't be distracted by the amazing beach houses, or the beautiful beach, and easy access... you'll have time to check it out soon. I promise. Instead head toward the parking lot and make your way to back. You'll see a trail head that leads you up the cliff via a old wooded, potentially moist steps. Dogs must be on leash through here as there are birds about, including penguins that nest in the hills. |
| Beware the wild Kiwi. Similar to a hobbit, but these climb trees. |
Up the trail you'll come to many offshoots. The first lakes you to a really nice lookout. After this one I recommend sticking to the trail. This can get tricky as the trail is overgrown in places... just keep an eye out for the "steps." The trail I believe is meant to be an in and back sort. However when the tide is out, the actual "trail" will give you access to a secluded beach that is separated from the main beach by rocks and ocean. The offshoot trails are tempting but end in cliffs and slippery, less forgiving accesses to the secluded beach.
As I said if the tide is out you can return to the main beach by following the coastline back, and climbing over a few rocks. (I recommend following the trail in this clockwise direction as the trail is much harder to locate from the beach.)Before you venture home on the 20 minute trail I recommend investigating the rhythmic pounding off to your left. You'll notice a rather blunt rock shelf and multiple openings in the rock cliff. As the waves crash upon the shelf the result is a large spray of water initially, than as is drains off, the water makes it's way into the openings and eventually out in a maze-like, delayed fashion. Quite the photo opportunity.
The cliff face straight ahead of the trail, blocking the ocean views, offers an interesting hike, but I recommend it with caution as the wind blows more fiercely, it is wet, and as my hiking partner discovered, more of the openings exist and let water out onto your pants and hiking boots if you aren't careful. It also poses a potential danger as it is a cliff with sandy, wet sections, and an unforgiving culmination in the instance of a fall.
Making your way back in a clockwise fashion you'll notice a hole in the rock wall which allows for tides to come through and offer a unique picture opportunity. And as you continue back toward the main beach you'll find the rocky section I mentioned earlier. Another tourist did manage this hike in heels of some sort, however I would recommend a sturdy shoe, as there are ample slippery rocks, and the New Zealand Green Lip Mussel. Painful yet pretty.
If time abounds you can continue along the main beach to Lion Rock and either make the climb up or continue beyond to the right side of the beach. On this particular day the beach's river was a bit high so we opted for the meat pie shop just down the road and made friends with some rather confident birds and once surprisingly scary duck.
Pros: Beautiful beach and flora. Decent pie shop.
Cons: (beyond the travel time) Hike is dependent on tides.
Rating: 3/5 for difficulty due to tides and slippery surfaces. 4/5 for overall pleasantness (it is winter at the beach after all), and the trail would be amazing if it were a bit longer.
