If you want dramatic cliffs, waves smashing into rocks and elevated ocean views then head out to Te Henga, with a high tide and strong winds. 14 enthusiastic WOPpers headed out along Bethells road to Te Henga Walkway. It starts at a small carpark 1km before the beach. Cross the bridge over the Waitakere river then a meadow before starting the climb up through the bush. Its not long before you get a full view of Bethell’s Beach, Lagoons, dunes and the Wild West Coast surf looking down to O'Neil’s Bay. 

The Te Henga Walkway, between Bethell’s Beach and Muriwai is part of the Hillary Trail, which connects a number of existing tracks in the Waitakere Ranges not all open at the moment due to Kauri dieback. Some of the main highlights at Te Henga are the vantage points to be had from the clifftop walkway and boy were the cameras flashing. We stopped at one of the many vantage points for morning tea before continuing the steep climb to Tangihau Point. As we circled round to the fence line we thought we were going to be blown of the cliff, the winds being extremely strong as you can tell by the photos. After a group photo we headed back down where it was much more sheltered and back the way we had come to head up to Lake Wainamu. 

We stopped here for lunch before doing The Lake Wainamu Loop Track starting and ending at the carpark beside the bridge over Waiti Stream. There is a choice of two routes to Lake Wainamu: along a track following the stream or up and over the sand dunes, we went over the dunes and back via the stream. In the summer this is a popular swimming spot but no-one was keen today, a group of intermediate students were just finishing their hike as we arrived for lunch and they were extremely pleased with themselves as they neared the end. 

From here it is about an hour’s walk around the Lake, at the head of the lake we arrive at Waitohi Falls, I was conscious of being in the presence of formidable company. Watching over the waterfall is an extraordinary carved Maori pou sculpture which commemorates the local tupuna (ancestor) and pa builder, Kowhatukiteuru. The track continues around the lake’s Northern shore looking up to the massive dunes on our left and continuing through the stream and back to the carpark.

Many thanks to Kay for an exhilarating walk. 

Carol Walker   

To see Carol's photos, click here