There are many stunning walks scattered around the Waitakere Ranges. Some feature towering waterfalls or pristine beaches, but none of them have better views than the Mercer Bay Loop Walk.
Located only a short drive from Piha, the Mercer Bay Loop Walk has views that stretch for miles along the west coast, making it a very popular spot for tourists and locals to the area.
Living in Auckland I always try to get out and do this track a few times each summer. The views never get old and I appreciate this beautiful walk even more, every time I go.
To get the most out of the Mercer Bay Loop Walk, there are a few things that are good to know and I am here to fill you in. Lets get into it.
Track Details
Distance – 2.1 Km
Time – 45 minutes to an hour
Elevation – 175 metres
Difficulty – Easy
Track style – Loop
Toilets – Yes, 1 long drop near the start of the track
Parking – Yes, small carpark at the end of Log Race Road
How to get to the Mercer Bay Loop Walk
The Mercer Bay Loop Walk is located in the Waitakere Ranges 50 minutes drive from Auckland. To get here, you will need to drive west through Henderson making your way towards Piha Beach. Once you are on Piha Road, continue along for around 10 kilometres.
Just before you begin to head downhill towards the beach, you will see a road to your left called Te Ahuahu Road. Follow down to the end of this where you will find a small gravel road. This is where you will find the carpark for the Mercer Bay Walk.
Parking
The cark park here is quite small so it is best to get here earlier in the morning to ensure a spot. You can park along the road further up but this does get busy as well. We got there around 10am and got one of the last spots. There are areas on the gravel to park as well as up on the grass.
Walking the Mercer Bay Loop
As the Mercer Bay walk is a loop track, you can start at either end. Most people tend to start through the entrance on the left had side near the toilets. While it doesn’t really matter which way you go, I think the views are much nicer and better to enjoy from the left entrance.
The walk begins making its way downhill through the native bush. As it weaves around corners you will get glimpses of the stunning view that awaits. The walk will usually take around 45 minutes to complete, depending on how long you spend enjoying the views.
The track is pretty easy to follow with only one other walk leading off it, so it is pretty hard to get lost. When you get to this part just make sure to go right and head towards the cliffs. You can always read the signs to make sure you are going the right way as well.
Once you make it to the first lookout you will see a little side track. This leads out the the best lookout of the whole walk, so make sure you go along this short track.
When you have finished enjoying all the epic views you can make your way up the hill finishing off the rest of the loop track back in the carpark.
Lookouts
There are a few different lookout points along the walk. Some of them are offical and others are just gaps in the bush where others have walked through.
My favourite lookout is right at the end of the side track. It sticks out of the cliff a little so the views over the water and back along the coast are pretty cool.
Please take care when checking out the unofficial lookout spots as there are no barriers to stop you from falling. These spots are easy to get to so just make sure you stay a small distance back from the edge.
Facilities at the Mercer Bay Loop Walk
The Mercer Bay Loop walk does not begin super close to any shops or facilities. There is a long drop toilet in the carpark for you to use, but if you need anything else you will need to head down into Piha.
Piha has a dairy, cafe and other food shops scattered around. There is also some nice flushing toilets here if using a long drop isn’t your thing.
There are also no rubbish bins at the Mercer Bay Loop walk so please take and rubbish away with you and keep the area nice and tidy.
Other Things to do
If you enjoyed the Mercer Bay Loop walk and want to spend a bit more time in the area, there are some other fun things to do around here.
You can pop down to Piha and spend some time at the beach or even try out surfing. If you want to do some more walks, then Kitekite Falls is always great and you can swim in the waterfall here too.
Last time we went out to do the Mercer Bay Loop, we also did the walk to Fairy Falls. This walk reopened mid 2024 and has become one of the new, popular walks in the ranges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mercer Bay Loop walk Open?
Yes, the track is open. Despite there being a lot of track closures around the Waitakere Ranges, the Mercer Bay Loop walk is open and ready for you to explore.
Is there parking at the Mercer Bay Loop Walk?
Ye, there is parking located at the end of Log Race Road, right by the entrance to the walk. This can get full quite quick though so make sure to get there as early as you can.
Is the Mercer bay Loop Walk suitable for children?
The walk does have a bit of uphill walking to get back up to the carpark, but I don’t think is is too hard for children to walk. I always see a few kids on the track each time I go.
Can you take dogs?
Yes, the Mercer Bay Loop Walk is dog friendly, you can take your furry friends along to join in on the fun. Just make sure they are always on a leash and under control.
Wrap Up – Mercer Bay Loop Walk
The Mercer Bay Loop Track is one of the best easy walks in Auckland. The unforgettable views that stretch right up and down the coast make it well worth the journey out west. So next time you are wanting a fun and easy walk with great views, make sure to check out the Mercer Bay Loop walk.
