Tuff Crater Path

Tuff Crater Path is 5 km and will take around 1.5 hours of very easy walking. This walk takes you along the rim of the Tuff Crater, a great short walk in Auckland. © Freewalks.nz

Home » North Island » Auckland Region » North Shore » Tuff Crater Path

I walked the Tuff Crater Path on a lovely sunny day in Auckland. Here is my review about this walk.

In order to walk the entirety of the rim, it is best to start at the end of Exmouth Road, at Heath Reserve. Before embarking upon the walk itself, you can take a detour to the motorway overbridge for views of Auckland CBD’s skyline and the Waitemata Harbour on one side, and the water-filled Tuff Crater on the other.

Head back over the bridge and follow the path along the crater. The track is undulating, though they are more ups and downs than hills. 

It may seem that the track eventually disappears or comes to an end. However, you must walk through the field (which is often wet) to continue the walk. The track can also be overgrown at times. It is thus important to wear appropriate footwear for this walk.

You will reach the end of the track on the other side of the crater. This walk can be done one way by climbing the bank onto Akoranga Drive. It is technically a return path back along the rim to Exmouth Park. There is no way to walk beside the motorway, don’t even think about it.

Follow the 3d map of my walk along Tuff Crater, just click on the play button below.

Quick Facts about this walk

  • Location: Auckland, North Island, New Zealand
  • Time needed: 1.5 hours walk
  • Distance: 5 km
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Bikes allowed: Yes
  • Route: Return
  • Elevation: 50 m
  • Wet Feet: Yes, muddy sections
  • Toilets: Unknown
  • Dogs: Yes
  • Mobile Coverage: Yes, very good
  • Last Updated: November, 2020

Summary points about this walk




Beach and wharf at Judges Bay in Auckland - Walk by Freewalks.nz

Judges Bay Path Walk in Auckland

1.7 km • 30 minutes • Easy loop walk around Dove Meyer Robinson Park down to Judges Bay beach then through the cemetery, onto a bit of road and back down past the Parnell Baths.

Walk details →

Orakei Basin Walk & Loop Path

3 km • 45 mins • Easy • Start at Meadowbank Rd/Train station and walk in either direction around Orakei Basin. Lovely wide track with big boardwalks and through a bit of shady bush. Dogs on a lead.

Walk details →
Westhaven Path Loop - Short Auckland Walk - Freewalks.nz

Westhaven Path Loop Walk

7.8 km • 1 hour 45 minutes • Very Easy • Walk past luxury boats, then under the Auckland harbour bridge

Walk details →

Karangahape Road to Queens Wharf Art Path

5 km • 1.25 hours • Very easy

Walk details →
Arriving by ferry for the Devonport to Takapuna Green Route Walk by Freewalks nz

Devonport to Takapuna Green Route Walk

8 km • 2 hours • Easy. According to my GPS, the Devonport to Takapuna Green Route walk is 8km and will take you around 2 hours, allowing for photo taking. © Freewalks.nz

Walk details →
At the summit of Rangitoto Island Rangitoto Island Track and Summit Walk

Rangitoto Island Track and Summit Walk

11.70 kms • 4 Hours • Easy

Walk details →
Auckland City Domain walk - Copyright Freewalks.nz||||||||Main Gate|Auckland City Domain walk - Copyright Freewalks.nz|Auckland City Domain walk - Copyright Freewalks.nz|Auckland City Domain walk - Copyright Freewalks.nz|Auckland City Domain walk - Copyright Freewalks.nz|Auckland City Domain walk - Copyright Freewalks.nz

Auckland City Domain

2 kms • 1 Hour • Very Easy

Walk details →
Devonport Heads Walk - Auckland - Copyright Freewalks.nz

Devonport Heads Walk

7.50 kms • 10 Hours • Easy

Walk details →
Free Mt Eden Volcano Walk - Auckland - New Zealand - Arial view from the crater of Mt Eden

Mt Eden Volcano Walk

2 km • 1 hour • Easy • Just 5 km from down town Auckland it’s the highest volcano in Auckland on Mt Eden.

Walk details →
One Tree Hill Walk - Auckland - Copyright Freewalks.nz

One Tree Hill Walk

3.50 kms • 2 Hours • Easy

Walk details →
||||||Western Springs Park Walk|||||

Western Springs Park Lake Walk

1.80 km • 30 Minutes • Very Easy • Perfect short walk in Auckland, especially for the family and kids.

Walk details →

What sort of walking and hiking gear will you need

We’ve partnered with Macpac outdoor walking & hiking gear to bring you the very best products designed exclusively for our New Zealand climate. They’ll ship for FREE within NZ on orders over $100 (if under $100 it’s only $5). Worldwide international shipping is available except to the USA. Bulky orders will be $20.

2 thoughts on “Tuff Crater Path”

  1. ” popular though not recommended option is to complete the walk as a loop by walking along the motorway.”
    Might want to rephrase that or else an idiotic an un thought about statement like this could get someone killed.

    1. Hi Rebecca, thanks for pointing that out. Yes, better change that you are so right.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top