I have been here only a few times – with my children when they were little and once to a garden sculpture exhibition.
I had not realised that you can walk the circumference, although unfortunately not completely by the lake edge.
Quick facts about this walk
| Walk time: | approx. 1.5 hours |
| Distance: | about 7kms |
| Start: | The Pumphouse carpark |
| Track: | A mix of level paths and steep paths/steps. |
| Difficulty: | Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. |
| Caution: | Muddy and slippery when wet. |
| Highlights: | Lake activities, water birds |
| FREE Map: | Download your FREE map of this walk |
The Hobbiton Movie Set Day Tour - From Auckland
However the bits by the lake edge – Killarney Park, Henderson Park, Sylvan Park, Kitchener Park and the Quarry Lake Reserve more than make up for the street walking.
There is lots to see at the lake edge, from the water birds to the water activities (sailing, wind-surfing, canoeing and model yacht racing). For more info about Lake Pupuke click here.
Lake Pupuke walkway track was muddy in places but would be ideal walking from November to perhaps June. From September to December the path from Henderson Park to Sylvan Park is closed to allow the water birds space to nest and breed.
Even though the day was cold, windy and with spots of heavy rain, it was still a very enjoyable walk. We will be back to document the Lake Pupuke walk very soon (and hopefully the day will be sunnier).
Update
We came back on a lovely summer day. We stopped and had a delicious iced coffee at the Cafe French Rendez-vous beside The Pumphouse.
Map location and how to find Lake Pupuke Takapuna
Comments on the Lake Pupuke Takapuna
Vicki McInnes
sorry I don’t agree, went to walk the lake today after reading your information and the amount of road walking spoilt the walk completely. I wouldn’t recommend this to someone who likes to walk.
Helen
Hi Vicki,
The reality of living in a city means that there will be street walking involved. People usually enjoy walking in a variety of environments as there is always something new to see. Auckland Council has been petitioned to get a path following the circumference of the lake, but unfortunately the private land owners are unwilling to share. I wonder did you purchase our brochure and find all the tracks that take you along the lake? Sincerely, Helen
Chris Leonard
Went from Kara Cafe in Milford to the lake through the woods! Was not sure where I was going but found an entrance that led down to the water. The ducks and swans were beautiful, unfortunately there were no benches to sit on, just a couple of rocks. Walked back up to the road but would like to return and see more of the lake. It was a beautiful day and there were sailboats and windsurfers on the water. I’d love to learn to windsurf while I’m here (I’m 65!)
Helen
Hi Chris,
The lake is a beautiful Auckland gem. Hope you get windsurfing!
Cheers Helen
More of my walks near Takapuna, North Shore, Auckland
Greenhithe Loop Walk
Beach Haven Coastal Walk
Centennial Park Walking Tracks
Unsworth Heights Native Bush to Beautiful Rosedale Park
Wenderholm Te Akeake Walk
2 Responses
thanks very much sandra. i have been on several of these sections since the 1940s, and was preparing to write a map to fill in all the gaps, so you have saved me a lot of work. i am using a smart watch which traces it all by gps, so will send you a copy if you wish. i presume the bird breeding area connects to sylvan park. can you tell me when the breeding season willl be. and can you also tell me whether the path through milford school is open to the public. i was a pupil there just after the war in 1946, and later did some sailing in a small catamaran from sylvan park to the quarry lake. there was a drowning there that around that time; not sure when it was. i hope to do your walk in the next day or two. i have just written a walk that includes takapuna beach through to Earnoch, over the hill to the Pumphouse, and back to Takapuna through Patuone’s Park.
Best wishes
David
Hi David, thanks so much for your message. The breeding season is Sept to Dec. Yes, you can walk through the school.
Thanks
Sandra from Freewalks.nz