Mercer Bay Loop Walk — Attraction in Waitākere Ranges

Mist climbs the cliffs where the wind-battered trees lean, A sentinel guard to a wild, hidden scene. The track starts in bush, where the damp mosses cling, And the call of the tūī its clear music sings. It's a world away from the city's fast pace, A step into quiet, a moment of grace. The kauri and rimu stand ancient and tall, Heeding no man, nor heeding man's fall. The mud is a story of feet that have passed, A fleeting impression that's made to not last. A twist in the path, and a sudden new light, Breaks through the green in a gold, blinding flight. The loop turns and rises, a slow, steady climb, A challenge to body, a truce with slow time. You hear the sea whisper, a rumble below, A promise of grandeur, a powerful show. Then through a gap in the dark, tangled wood, The vast, endless blue is suddenly understood. The Tasman Sea stretches, a cold, turquoise sheet, Where wave after wave makes a rhythmic retreat. The headlands are ragged, a fortress of stone, Carved by the storms, they stand weathered alone. The wind is a sculptor, the salt is a brush, In this wild cathedral, a reverent hush. Below, the bay waits, a half-moon of sand, Washed by the currents that sweep to the land. It's a lonely expanse, a place to belong, Where the waves break with a soft, timeless song. The cliffs drop away, a sheer, dizzying height, A test for the nerves, a magnificent sight. The basalt columns stand jagged and proud, Veiled in the spray of a low-hanging cloud. The scent of the mānuka, a sweet, earthy spice, Mixes with seabreeze, a moment so nice. The gulls on the updraft, they wheel and they soar, Their cries a wild echo on this rugged shore. The path curves around, a descent to the south, A silent farewell from the bay's open mouth. Through fields of tall grass that sway in the breeze, Past gnarled pōhutukawa and windswept, bent trees. A final long look at the watery expanse, The sun on the surface, a glittering dance. Then back to the bush, to the moss and the ferns, The lesson of Mercer Bay, the deep spirit learns. Of wild, raw creation, of power and peace, A timeless release from life's constant increase. The loop ends where it started, the circle complete, With sea in the soul, and salt...

Absolutely spectacular and I've been everywhere in NZ!

Kauri is the largest and oldest trees (2,000 years) found in New Zealand and the disease threatens to wipe them out. So make sure to properly clean your shoes and help protect New Zealand’s ecosystem.

Kauri Die Back Disease ironically caused the Mercer Bay Loop to become more popular. This was because many other paths in the Waitakere Ranges were closed to prevent further spread.

I'm not joking. The car park was full. The whole Auckland tribe was here.

Near the midpoint of the loop walk near Te Ahua Point, you come across the statue of Te Ahua o Hinerangi, appointed spirit guardian of the area. Hinerangi, the only daughter of the local Maori chief, lost her beloved husband to the oceans while fishing in Mercer Bay.

The cliffs tower more than 240 metres above the waves, higher than the height of the Skytower. It is not difficult to comprehend how people can lose their footing or from a strong gust of wind, when mesmerised by the scenery, falling to their deaths.

Recent archaeology has found a network of caves in the sea cliffs, some four metres across, that would have been linked with platforms and ladders. The local Maori lived inside the cliffs, protected in those ancient violent times of slaughter when no one was safe.

In 1948, the first identification of radio waves with galactic sources was made on these cliffs. authenticated the link between radio sources and celestial objects and helped found radio astronomy, which went on to discover the Cosmic Microwave Background, the Big Bang “relic radiation” from the beginnings of the universe.

When you listen to the radio and you hear all this static noise that is the Big Bang.

Numerous deaths and disappearances have been linked to the bay. If your a woman you disappear. If your a man, your live. There is a lot of bad hombre's.

"I have a bad feeling about this." - Princess Leia

In light of the women's disappearances around this vicinity, hiking with a companion is advised.

Kānuka, cabbage trees, tree ferns, pohutukawa and more – the variety of NZ native plant life on the Mercer Bay Walk...

If you're looking for a cool and fun outdoor adventure, then the Mercer Bay Loop Walk is definitely the way to go! This walk has it all - beautiful scenery, cool steep cliffs, and a good challenge to keep things interesting.

I recently had the chance to take on the Mercer Bay Loop Walk, and I have to say that it was an absolute blast. The scenery on this walk is truly breathtaking, with stunning views of the surrounding area at every turn. The cool, steep cliffs are definitely a highlight, offering an adrenaline-pumping experience as you make your way along the trail.

But the Mercer Bay Loop Walk isn't just about the views - it's also a great walk in its own right. With a good combination of easy and more challenging sections, it's a walk that's suitable for people of all fitness levels. And with plenty of cool and fun sights to see along the way, you'll never be bored.

In short, the Mercer Bay Loop Walk is a must-do for anyone looking to have a cool and fun outdoor adventure. Whether you're an experienced hiker or just looking for a nice leisurely walk, you'll love everything this walk has to offer. So why wait? Go check it out for yourself and see what all the...