-36.93635, 174.55880
Dogs allowedModerate

Upper Nihotupu Walk

Huia · Auckland · Out & Back

123456.5 km290 m
↑ 155 m gain↓ 155 m descenthigh 290 msteepest 16 %
DISTANCE6.8 km
ASCENT155 m
DURATION2–2.5 hr
STEEPEST16 %
ROUTEOut & Back
RATING · WALKERS 4.6 · 1,028
DOG EFFORT2.7 /5 paws
PARKING0 m away

This walk comes from licensed public walk data and is being progressively confirmed against the authorities. Signs on the day always win. Evidence: inferred from the licensed data only. Walked it and read the sign? Send us the rule and this line retires. How we check dog rules.

Nearest emergency vetAnimal Emergency at VSA - Auckland West (Henderson), Auckland~10 min drive · after-hours (nights+weekends)
09 849 2121
The route

Good to know

Nobody we read prohibits dogs here, but no rule-setter publishes wording for this track by name, so the district-wide rule is what applies. Keep the lead handy, read the signs at the gate, and give ground-nesting birds and stock their room.

Lake swimRiver swim spotsWaterfallForest shadeGood with kidsPram friendlyA popular track, busy on weekends

Other walkers have reported this walk as pushchair suitable. A fellow walker’s word rather than a council or DOC check, so read the ground as you find it. One heads-up: the map data suggests there may be a small step or a kissing gate somewhere on or near the route, so be ready for one. Noted 2026-08-17.

Check the water before the dog swims. Toxic algae blooms in NZ rivers and lakes can kill a dog within hours. Scan the LAWA water quality map in warm months and keep dogs away from dark slime on rocks.

About Upper Nihotupu Walk

This long track follows 6.8 km as an out-and-back, near Huia in Auckland.

Graded moderate, it climbs about 155 m overall, pitching up to 16 % at its steepest, and takes about 2–2.5 hr to walk.

Walkers come for native forest, lakeside stretches, river frontage, and big views. Nobody we read prohibits dogs here, but no rule-setter publishes wording for this track by name, so the district-wide rule is what applies. Keep the lead handy and read the signs at the gate. Walkers rate it 4.6 / 5 across 1,028 reviews.

Stay nearby

Dog-friendly places to sleep within 25 km of the trailhead, each one with the distance shown. Sort out the stay, then walk.

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Can I take my dog on Upper Nihotupu Walk?

Probably, and here is exactly what we know. No authority publishes dog wording for Upper Nihotupu Walk by name, so this one rests on the licensed walk data and the district-wide rule rather than a rule-setter's own words. Nobody we read prohibits dogs here, but that is not the same as a rule saying yes, so keep the lead handy and let the signs at the gate decide.

How long is Upper Nihotupu Walk?

Upper Nihotupu Walk is 6.8 km with roughly 155 m of climb and takes about 2–2.5 hr.

Is there water for my dog to swim on Upper Nihotupu Walk?

Yes, the track has lake, river and waterfall access where a dog can cool off. In warm months check the LAWA water quality map for toxic algae warnings first.

From the pack

Walked and logged 5 times by the pack, 2 proven with a photo. first proven by Kels & Sunmi.

Walks nearby

The closest dog-friendly tracks to this trailhead, by straight-line distance.

EasyPiha
2.9 km↑67 m0.5–1 hr★4.8 rating
Swim spotShadeGood with kids
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Easy.
EasyAuckland
0.8 km↑0 mabout 12 min★4.9 rating
Swim spotShadeSealed underfootGood with kids
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Easy.
EasyAuckland
1.1 km↑3 mabout 16 min★4.5 rating
Sealed underfootGood with kids
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Easy.
EasyAuckland
0.5 km↑8 mabout 8 min★4.3 rating
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Easy.

More in Auckland

EasyAuckland
1.1 km↑27 mabout 17 min★4.3 rating
Sealed underfootGood with kids
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Easy.
ModerateAuckland
7.9 km↑22 m2–2.5 hr★4.7 rating
Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Moderate.

See every dog-friendly track in Auckland →

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