Quick Facts
Where: Above Piha/Karekare in the Waitākere Ranges. Main Mercer Bay car park is at the end of Te Ahuahu Rd
Parking: Te Ahuahu Rd car park for Mercer Bay; Watchmans Rd for Comans. Arrive early on fine weekends.
Best direction: Many reviewers prefer clockwise on the Mercer Bay Loop for a gentler finish.
Elevation: Short loop ~175 m gain; longer combo can exceed 450–500 m total.
The Walk: Distance and Duration
Mercer Bay Loop (short + iconic)
Walk anti-clockwise for gentler gradients back to the car. This tidy loop strings together fenced clifftop viewpoints, a spur to the big lookout platform, then climbs back through kānuka and ponga.
~2.1–2.3 km, 45–90 min.
Comans Track ➜ Mercer Bay Loop (bigger day)
Start at Watchmans Rd (Karekare side) and climb Comans along a rugged ridge with peek-a-boo ocean views. Link onto Mercer Bay Loop for the lookouts, then return via Comans.
Expect ~7 km and ~3 hours with punchy stair work. Bring water and legs.
The Experience: Native Bush & Rugged Coastline
If you want the biggest clifftop vistas near Tāmaki Makaurau stitch Comans Track to the Mercer Bay Loop.
You’ll zig through coastal forest, pop out to balcony-style lookouts over black-sand beaches.
From Watchman’s Road the track climbs quickly to the ridgeline, then traverses the Mercer Bay cliffs with uninterrupted Tasman Sea views, native bush, pōhutukawa and mānuka in season and frequent lookouts.
It also forms part of the historic Hillary Trail / Te Ara Tūhura
Reviews and Local Impressions
“Hidden gem of Auckland’s west coast… walk clockwise so the return isn’t as steep. Plenty of parking.” (Tripadvisor)
“Short, well-formed loop with huge views; easy for most abilities.” (Rankers)
“Link Comans for a bigger workout and even more spectacular views.” (local advice)
AllTrails users on the combo report ~7 km / ~3–3.5 hr and call out the stair sections and big coastal payoffs.