Karamatura Track to Mount Donald McLean

Karamatura Track to Mount Donald McLean is a challenging hike in Waitakere Ranges Regional Park near Huia, Auckland. This hike travels through lush forest to the top of Mount Donald McLean. The trail is mostly dirt but has some sections of boardwalk. This hike is 7.2 miles long and gains 2,112 feet of elevation.

This adventure starts from the Karamatura parking area. There are bathrooms available at the trailhead. Begin hiking west on Karamatura Loop Walk. You will be trekking uphill almost immediately. After 0.4 miles, you will come to a junction and go left. This is the beginning of a small loop. You will hike the other half of the loop on the way back. Stay on this trail for 0.6 miles, and then go left again onto Karamatura Track.

After 0.2 miles on this track, there will be the option to take a very short spur trail to Karamatura Falls. This short trail is well worth the added mileage. If this detour doesn’t interest you, continue on Karamatura Track. You will now endure a long uphill through dense forest with many stairs. After 1.1 miles, you will have reached the highest point on this hike and will go left onto Donald McLean Track.

Enjoy mostly downhill hiking for 1.1 miles. Here, you will reach a parking area for Mount Donald McLean. Continue uphill onto Mount Donald Mclean Walk. After 0.3 miles, you will reach the top of Mount Donald McLean. There are two observation platforms here. You will have wonderful views of Waitakere Ranges, Manukau Harbor, and the Tasman Sea. From here, you will retrace your steps to return to the trailhead. The only difference is that you will take the other half of the loop near the beginning of the hike.

Waitakere Ranges Regional Park is open for hiking year-round. There are no associated fees to hike here. Dogs are allowed on this trail as long as they are on a leash. Karamatura Track to Mount Donald McLean is a terrific way to experience the beauty of Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.