KOHUKOHUNUI TRIG - AUCKLAND'S HIGHEST POINT

Friends of Hunua Ranges Chairman Merv Hood knows this part of Auckland well, having tramped around there for decades...

"Walking from Waharau up to Kohukohunui Trig is my favourite walk in the park. 

It takes 7- 8 hours to do the whole circuit so you need to take a day sack with food, water, wet weather gear, warm clothes and a park map. Visibility can be very limited in bad weather and clouds can quickly gather around the Kohukohunui summit so this walk is best done on a fine day and make sure you are well prepared. 

Park at Waharau and follow the Red Track through Kauri and Rimu groves up to the Waharau Ridge Track, turn right and follow the ridge up to Adams Lookout (right). From here you have great views over the Firth of Thames to the Coromandel. 

Keep your ears open for Kokako as the track begins to climb up through the Kokako Management Area. Follow the Kohukohunui Track up to Yanks Camp and then turn left to reach Auckland's highest point at Kohukohunui Trig with views out over the Ranges, Hauraki Gulf and Coromandel. 

From the Trig, walk south until you reach the track junction. Turn left on to the Mangatangi Ridge Track, this track will take you through regenerating forest and has lots of viewing points as you descend to the Mangatangi Stream and Thousand Acre campsite. A short climb brings you back to the Waharau Ridge Track and you can either descend to the car park the same way you walked in or follow the red track south back to the car park."

Merv is Chairman of the Friends of Hunua Ranges group. He has been involved in pest control at the Hunua Ranges for many years and is an avid tramper.