Explore the incredible and ever popular Auckland waterfall of Kitekite Falls; this beautiful Auckland west coast walk sits right next to Piha beach making it the ultimate family-friendly day out. This three tiered waterfall, surrounded by native rainforest, will leave you desiring more adventures through the Waitakere Ranges.

Popular among locals and tourists; this easy hour long walk will reward you with fresh, chilled water tumbling from the rocky tiers above. Make sure you bring your swimmers and a packed lunch for this mesmerising day out in nature.

Kitekite Falls Track Information

Distance: 2.9km out and back
Elevation gain: 77 meters
Time: 1.5 – 2 hours to complete
Difficulty: Easy

Kitekite Falls is one of many popular Auckland west coast walks waiting to be explored. Nestled in the rainforest next to Piha Beach, Kitekite Falls is an easy escape from city life and everyday responsibilities. The hour long walk leads you along a winding boardwalk through dense native bush along the flowing river, before bringing you to the fresh water pond that Kitekite Falls cascades into.

The 3-tiered Kitekite waterfall totals a height of around 40 meters, the lower pool can be accessed via the path from Glen Esk Rd. The upper tier requires a slightly steeper climb for about 15 minutes to reach the top, from here you get magnificent views down the valley. This family friendly and dog-friendly walk in Auckland is an extremely popular track, especially during summer.

The water is fresh and clean so be sure to remember your togs, or bathing suit. The pool at the bottom of the pools is great for swimming in as well as the deeper pool at the top of the falls – just watch out for the eels!

Kauri Dieback Cleaning Stations

Kauri dieback disease is rapidly spreading through the Waitakere ranges and killing our beautiful native Kauri trees. Kauri Dieback is a tree-related illness that is spread through particles in dirt and water, it is not harmful to humans. It’s easily spread when transferred via the bottom of your shoes, feet or any tramping gear.

At the beginning of almost every hiking trail in Auckland you will come across a shoe cleaning station, you must scrub your shoes and spray them with the provided distinfectant before entering and once you exit the hiking track. This ensures Kauri dieback disease isn’t brought into the forest, or taken out to be transferred elsewhere.

Is Kitekite Falls Worth Visiting?

Yes! Kitekite Falls is absolutely worth visiting. Kitekite Falls is one of Aucklands most popular west coast walks for its easy access to short drive from the city center. A day trip to this Auckland waterfall feels like a holiday away from bustling city life.

Best Time to Visit Kitekite Falls

The best time to visit Kitekite Falls is during the shoulder seasons and especially during the middle of the week. In summer this Auckland hiking trail is flooded with people and families getting out and about in nature so if you’re wanting a quiter hike with less people, I suggest taking a mid week hike just as summer is starting, or ending.

Woman sitting on a rock underneath Kitekite waterfalls in Auckland. The waterfall is 3 tiered and is surrounded by native bush. The rock the woman is sitting on is in the middle of the pool at the bottom of the waterfall. The woman is wearing a bikini and has her back to the camera.

History of Kitekite Falls

Between 1910 and 1921 the area around Kitekite Falls was used for milling mature Kauri trees. The top of the falls were used as a dam, and the falls themselves were used to ‘transport’ the mature logs downstream, until after a few attempts resulted in the logs being obliterated by the rocks at the bottom.

Some remains of the dam can still be found in either the stream or ponds of Kitekite waterfall. Several years ago, a beam dislodged itself, fell and broke and half of it got wedged in the base of the waterfall between rocks.

How to Get to Kitekite Falls

Getting to Kitekite Falls is easy if you have access to a private vehicle. The remote location and windy narrow sections of road means public transport only reaches as far as neighbouring suburbs of Henderson or Glen Eden. Small tour companies do run day trips to Piha but this is only during the summer seasons, otherwise you will need access to a private vehicle to visit Kitekite Falls.

Getting from Auckland City to Kitekite Falls

The drive from Auckland city to Piha takes around 40 minutes depending on traffic. Drive towards Piha and make your way to the end of Glen Esk Road where you will meet a large carpark and a sign for Kitekite waterfall. Remember to lock your vehicle and place any/all items in your car out of sight. Whether it’s in the boot covered with a towel or under the seats. Car break ins are common in carparks whether the owners are likely to be away for a while.

Walking to Kitekite Falls from the Main Carpark

The walk from Kitekite carpark to the bottom of the waterfall takes around an hour depending on your fitness level. Always remember to stick to the path and don’t stray into the bush, this is to help prevent the spread of Kauri Dieback Disease.

Kitekite Falls is a family-friendly hike but I suggest leaving the stroller at home, there are stairs to enter the vicinity of the waterfall then large rocks you have to navigate to enter or cross the water.

Getting to the Top of Kitekite Falls

From the lower pool you can either set up for the day or continue up the other side of the stream to meet the path which takes you to the top. A slightly steeper hike but a much shorter distance and entirely rewarding for the view across the valley.

Make sure to wear shoes that you don’t mind getting wet as the rocks can be slippery and uneven to walk on when crossing the stream. I personally prefer making my way up to the top, as most people usually stop at the bottom, especially young families. The top pool is much smaller but with less people around you’re more likely to grab a photograph of you enjoying the scenery above the Waitakere Ranges.

The most popular photograph to get at Kitekite is the one where you’re sitting on the very edge of the waterfall, and there is no tricking the camera because you really are sitting on the edge. The drop below is staggered but a fall from any height will certainly land you in hospital if not the morgue. So be careful when scaling the rock pools to grab that popular ‘Instagram shot’.

Piha Day Trip from Auckland

How to Get to Piha Beach

Getting to Piha beach from Kitekite falls is a very short and easy drive. Head back the way you came from the Kitekite falls carpark, and instead of turning left back towards civilisation you can either drive straight ahead towards south Piha, or turn right and make your way towards north Piha.

Piha beach is separated into two areas; north and south Piha. These are marked by Lion rock which sits almost in the exact middle of the surf at the edge of the beach. Both areas are amazing places to experience the west coast surf but both serve slightly different purposes.

South Piha is where the Piha life guards patrol which makes it the safer area of Piha to swim. During summer you will find families, friends and individuals flock here for a day at the beach; whether they have come to jump in the waves or just to enjoy the sun and the sand

North Piha is more popular among surfers and dog walkers. Dogs are prohibited on South Piha but they’re more than welcome to run free North of Lion Rock. Surfers dominate this area as there is less of a chance of them colliding with a swimmer.

Other Piha Nature Trails

Auckland west coast walks: Piha Beach from the Marawhara Hiking Track at Piha.

If for whatever reason you can’t get to Kitekite Falls, or you want to really test your fitness for the day you can head down to Piha Beach and explore any of these other Piha nature trails. There are viewing points at either end of the beach for incredible sunset views along the west coast, or simply enjoy a stroll through native bush.

Te Waha Point Lookout
Marawhara Track
Tasman Lookout

Waitakere Ranges Dog Rules

Auckland is an extremely dog friendly city, and thankfully we have a lot of dog-friendly hiking trails. However, it always pays to double check the DOC website when it comes to where and when dogs are allowed at certain places and areas. Kitekite Falls is dog-friendly so you can bring your furry best friend along for the day trip, but do not allow them to run free within the bush.

Please pay attention and respect any dog rules that may be advertised at the start of any hiking trail or entry into any national park, as it will only take one bad egg to ruin it for the rest of us responsible dog owners.

Other Amazing Auckland West Coast Walks

Karekare Falls

A ground level view of Karekare waterfall trickling down the cliff face into the pool below

A female standing in the Karekare waterfall pool, in a orange bikini and white baseball cap staring at the camera

Can’t get enough of West Auckland nature? Head a short distance back along Piha Rd, and follow your nose down Karekare Rd to find yourself at Karekare Falls. Karekare is another popular waterfall in the Piha area, favoured for its easy walking track and short distance from the carpark. Karekare waterfall is perfect for those families with young children or for those who can’t walk far distances but still want to immerse themselves in the beauty of West Auckland.

Mercer Bay Loop

Mokoroa Falls (Currently Closed)

This is another amazing waterfall in West Auckland. Getting to Mokoroa Falls from Kitekite is much further than travelling to Karekare Falls, so I would suggest leaving the trip for another day unless you’re on a mission to discover as many amazing waterfalls in Auckland as possible. Dogs are not allowed on this track, so your favoured pooch will need to be left at home. Swimming is possible at the bottom of Mokoroa falls, the pool isn’t too deep as rock falls are common from the top of the falls so don’t get to close to the rock face, (I was made aware of this once I researched the falls after the below picture was taken.)

Kitekite falls is by far one of my most favourite bush walks in Auckland and I think everyone who visits the city should get out and explore the natural beauty of Auckland; because the concrete playground of the city shouldn’t be the only thing that attracts tourists. So next time you’re in the city, or even if you’re just passing through; drive out to one of our wild west coast beaches and explore one of our largest native rainforests.

Kitekite Falls: Explore the Popular Auckland Waterfall