Walk: Mercer Bay, Comans and Ahuahu Loop, Piha (Waitakere Ranges).

Описание: Mercer Bay is the location of the highest sea cliffs along the west coast of Auckland with a peak of 263m. The bay itself is only accessible by climbing down the cliffs, coming in from boat or scrambling around the rocks of Farley Point from Karekare.

It was a typical Auckland Winter’s day. It was cold, raining, windy and the skies were filled with grey upon grey. Arriving to an empty car park, I had the feeling anyone who knew what I was about to do would question my sanity. However, I question it on a daily basis and this was one of the most rational decisions. Quick toilet stop – Mercer Bay has a nice smelling toilet by the way and off I went.

I took the back track of the Mercer Bay Loop, walking through the gate down a wide and gravel track. I stopped briefly to take in my surroundings: I could feel the gravel beneath my boots, the rain falling on my hands, the smell of rain-scented bush and I could see the vibrant green flora standing out against all the greys of the rain. I was excited.

I stood at my first view of the Mercer Bay itself looking remote and wild below me. It was high tide and I watched as the waves broke against the shore line. It looked so still. The black sand, the teal coloured sea, the grey clouds with falling cliffs covered in green and yellow flora. Everything looked as if it belonged in another country, another era, even. I wondered what it must have been like to live here in the past. How hard it must have been. How visceral.

After about 15 minutes, I arrived at the junction of the Mercer Bay Loop and turned left to continue along the Comans Track that traverses the actual ridge above the bay. I walked up a couple of hills until I reached a junction and had a snack as I hadn’t had any lunch as of yet. Continuing along Comans, I came to a short rock climb. I breathed in the sea views before I turned and climbed up. Having vertigo means I don’t really move my head too much. I focus on what is directly in front of me and make sure that each move is stable and confident. This was the last part of elevation and the rest of the track was an even keel.

As I walked through bush coverage, I walked through a mist of floating clouds that made me feel like I was in one of those kung-fu movies, up in the mountains. You know the ones where they’re about to jump off the bridge into nothing but clouds? A bit like that.

Eventually, I made my way round, up and over Farley Point. I was deciding whether or not to turn back but instead, I wanted to push myself a bit more and so I did. I came to an opening with an amazing view of Karekare beach heading down to Whatipu. I could see Panatahi Island and I smiled. I had arrived. Now, I had to decide whether or not to continue or turn back. I looked at my time. I gave myself 15 minutes to reach Karekare and so I stormed down the rest of Comans bypassing the wire fence barrier, steep muddy steps and bush track. Finally, I arrived at the chair that looks out to the Northern end of the beach. It had taken me two hours.

Next, I was deciding whether or not to retrace my steps back up Comans or take Ahu Ahu Track. I am not big on doing tracks with no views of the water but I pushed myself to take on Ahu Ahu and so, I did.

Don’t get me wrong. I rowed up parts of Ahu Ahu Track. My hiking boots felt like a ‘chain and ball’ and my legs heavy as I dragged them up with every step. I often used the tops of each hill and trees along the way as small milestones. Sometimes, I would stop after a single step and rest briefly. I kept doing this until I reached the top of a section and came across the floating mist of clouds. I had arrived. I was at the middle of the ridge and I broke out into the biggest smile. I knew the rest would be a piece of cake.

Now, I could have gone back up the back track but I decided that now I had done most of the both loops that I might as well walk up Hikurangi Hill to complete them both in full. I stopped off at the lookout point revelling in my surroundings. It was still raining and it was getting darker. I was fine. I studied Hikurangi and all its details. Then I began my ascent.

I was pretty much on the home stretch by now. The last lookout I stopped of at was the one that looks out to Piha with Lion Rock and you can see the protruding ridges of Bethells and Muriwai. It was extremely windy at this point with a lot of rain. Finally, I came out into the car park and walked past the radar station with its light on. At first, I mistakenly took it for the sunset but the thick grey skies told me otherwise.

It was 6.30pm when I left the car park, 30 minutes to spare until the gate closed. I turned on the music tracks I always listen to after a walk and drove home

Recharged.

August, 2016.

As of 2026, all these tracks in this video are open. See link below:
https://aucklandcouncil.maps.arcgis.c...