Pigeon Mountain Volcano

The mountain was originally three times its present size but its two craters have been quarried away to provide scoria. It is called Pigeon Mountain because, in early European times, native pigeons called ‘kereru‘ used to live here.

View from Pigeon Mountain

Quick facts about this walk

Walk time: approx. 1 hour & 15 minutes.
Distance: about 6 kms
Start from: Gills Road just off Pigeon Mountain Road
Track: A mix of level paths, steps and slightly inclined paths.
Difficulty: Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather.
Highlights: Auckland City views, Rangitoto Island views, Volcano summit, wetlands, Pukeko birds habitat.
Dog Friendly: Bird Reserve Area, Dog kept on Leash
FREE Map: Download your FREE map of this walk
The Hobbiton Movie Set Day Tour - Ex Auckland

The Hobbiton Movie Set Day Tour - From Auckland

You can walk to the top of Pigeon Mountain and from the summit there are great views of Tamaki Estuary and Wakaaranga Creek Reserve mangroves. While below are boardwalks that cross over wetlands that house nests for the pukeko bird.

Follow the link to the Google Map of Pigeon Mountain and the associated  Wetlands walk.  We also have a second walk option for these areas here. 

Follow this link for the Auckland alternate Pigeon Mountain Walk.

The nearby mangrove edged Wakaaranga Creek has good paths for wheels.  And there is a cool long slide in a playground that is worth checking out. Because most of this walk is in a bird reserve, dogs must be kept on-leash. 

estuary bird at pigeon mountain

However, if you choose to follow the 5km Pakuranga Rotary walkway, there are several areas for off-leash exercise between the Pakuranga Sailing Club and Wakaaranga Reserve. This is a mostly flat walk if the walk to the summit of Pigeon Mountain is omitted.

Be aware that some pathways between houses and roads are iron bar chicanes that make it more difficult for wheelchairs, prams and cycles to use the path.

Photos from my walk along the Pigeon Mountain and the Wetlands Loop Walk

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Lovely garden on the Farm Cove walk in Auckland

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Bench seat overlooking the beach at Macleans Park

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One of the walk bridges on the Cascade Walkway in Pakuranga

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Bench seat on the Pakuranga walkway looking out to the harbour with the boats

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Views from the bench seat overlooking Tamaki Estuary in East Auckland

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Views from the bench seat at Half Moon Bay in East Auckland

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