The Waitakere Dam Tramline Track is an easy 6.5km walk taking around 2 hours to complete.
2.5 km of the tramline has been retained for the maintenance of the water pipeline. Excellent walk in Auckland’s Waitakere Ranges.
The Waitakere Tramline Walk was closed by Auckland Council due to Kauri Dieback. For further information on this terrible disease please refer to this website:www.kauridieback.co.nz
View the status of all walks in the Waitakere Ranges National Park
Quick Facts about this walk
- Location: North Island NZ
- Distance: 6.50 kms
- Time needed: 2 Hours
- Difficulty: Easy
- Wheelchair Access: No
- Route: Round Trip
- Elevation: 330m
- Wet Feet: No
- Toilets: Yes
- Dogs: No
- Mobile Coverage: Yes
- Last Updated: November, 2019
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.
Summary points about this walk
Womens Hiking Gear
Guided Walking Tours
Points of interest along the walk
Point 1: Waitakere Dam Car Park
You can’t miss this car park, it is on the Waitakere Scenic Drive and right at the main gate down to the dam which is locked, so you have to walk down to the dam.
Point 2: Start of the Waitakere Dam Tramline Walk
To the dam – 20 minutes. The walk is a very easy 124m downhill walk on an excellent sealed road. The grass paddocks you can see in the valley out to your right are the golf greens at the end of Falls Road. Or better known as, Cascades picnic area. 50m before the dam, on your right, is the start of the tram track, and just another 10m further on, are two very clean toilets, this is your last chance. If you want to go down to the base of the dam, and get a fantastic view of the valley below, just before you start walking across the dam, take the steps on the left to the bottom, and then walk out onto the cliff face. Don’t cross the wire fence. You will not survive the fall.
Point 3: Lunch stop
Following the tram track is a very easy walk. I did this walk in open toe sandals. Keep looking out to your left, you will see the cliff I warned you about. Around 20 minutes you will arrive at the first tunnel. This tunnel is only 70m long, you can walk through without a torch. 2 minutes. This would be a great place to stop for lunch, you could take advantage of the shelter on a cold day or sit on one of the picnic tables and enjoy the sun.
Point 4: Last Tunnel
20 minutes.
Westend tunnel is blocked off; you will have to detour around the side of the ridge to get on to Anderson track. This section of track can get a little rough.
Point 5: To Scenic Drive Road
15 mins, to Scenic Drive Road. Turn right, this track is your typical Waitakere walking track. A little muddy and slippery if wet. 20 mins, back to the car park. Scenic Drive Road can be very busy in the weekends. The road is very narrow, be careful when walking around the tight corners.
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.