11 October 2026
Showers, possibly heavy, clearing to fine in the morning, but returning at night. Northwesterlies developing in the morning.
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Waitākere West Regional Park
The Marawhara Walk and White Track in Piha offers a delightful return trip through native bush and alongside serene streams, culminating in stunning coastal views. This combination track is perfect for those seeking a moderately challenging hike with a variety of natural scenery.
Distance
3.8 km
Walking time
2 hours return
Difficulty
Intermediate
Dogs
Allowed — check local rules
Wheelchair access
Not marked friendly
Current status
No active alerts found. Conditions can still change, so check again before leaving.
Weather outlook
Issued 10 Oct 2026, 11:01 pm
11 October 2026
Showers, possibly heavy, clearing to fine in the morning, but returning at night. Northwesterlies developing in the morning.
12 October 2026
Mostly cloudy with isolated showers, becoming widespread for a time in the afternoon. Northwesterlies.
13 October 2026
Partly cloudy, with isolated showers in the afternoon and evening. Northwesterlies.
14 October 2026
A few showers clearing to fine in the afternoon. Northwesterlies.
15 October 2026
A few showers, some possibly heavy. Northerlies, turning westerly.
Regional guidance only; elevation and terrain can produce different conditions.
Explore the area
Explore the track route and surrounding area before you set out.
Start at Marawhara car park, where you’ll find the trailhead for the Marawhara Walk. The track initially follows the Marawhara Stream, providing a gentle introduction to the hike with the soothing sounds of flowing water. The path meanders through lush native bush, featuring an array of plants such as kauri, pohutukawa, and silver ferns. As you continue along the Marawhara Walk, the trail gradually becomes steeper and more rugged. Keep an eye out for birdlife, including tui and kereru, which are often seen in the area. After approximately 500m, you’ll reach a junction with White Track. Turning onto White Track, the path continues to climb, offering increasingly expansive views as you gain elevation. The vegetation here begins to thin, giving way to more open areas that provide glimpses of the coastline. The track is well-marked with a mixture of evenly graded gravel and box steps. As you approach the highest point of White Track, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the Tasman Sea and the dramatic cliffs that define the Piha coastline. This is a perfect spot to take a break, enjoy a snack, and soak in the natural beauty. To extend your walk, this track links to Anawhata Road, where you can continue north to connect with Whites Beach Track , taking you to a beautiful secluded beach. The return journey follows the same route, allowing you to experience the scenery from a different perspective. Descending back down White Track and rejoining the Marawhara Walk, you’ll retrace your steps alongside the tranquil stream, eventually returning to the Marawhara car park.
Animals: Dogs are allowed on leash . Smokefree regional parks: Our regional parks are smoke-free. Waste: All our regional parks are rubbish free. Take all rubbish and recycling with you when you leave. Outdoor fires: It is illegal to light a fire outside in all public areas in the Auckland region. For more information about the park and track, head to the Auckland Council website .
When visiting areas with healthy kauri trees, please make sure you follow these steps: Clean your footwear, tyres and equipment before and after visiting our kauri forests. If you are walking your dog, you should also make sure you clean their paws. Use cleaning stations every time you pass one while you are walking in a park. Stay on the tracks and keep off kauri roots. Stay away from closed tracks. Don't remove soil from, or bring soil into, areas with kauri trees.
The track has a small carpark next to the stream at the trailhead and overflow parking across the road. From Piha, head north on Marine Parade North. The carpark in on the right just before the bridge over Marawhara Stream. Use this location in Google Maps to find your way there.
We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz . Level up in your outdoor knowledge with these interactive online learning tools: Trip Planning Tramping / field Skills Basic Navigation River Safety Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel .
On-leash
Track information, access and weather can change. Confirm current alerts and land-manager information close to departure, tell someone your plans, and carry equipment appropriate for the route and conditions.