Lower Te Piringa Track is an easy walk from the Cascade Kauri car park at the end of Falls Road in Auckland’s Waitākere Ranges Regional Park. It is usually described as a link track on the Montana Heritage Trail, a fabulous 4-hour, 9.4 km loop track around the ridges above Cascade Stream. This trail includes the best stands of ancient kauri in the Auckland region and access to Waitākere Reservoir and dam. It has been hugely upgraded to protect the forest from kauri dieback.
But if you are limited in time, Te Piringa makes for a nice, leisurely 30-minute walk along the accessible Waitākere River. There are several good places for soaking, including immediately to the right of the bridge over the river. However, the river is not deep enough for swimming.
Start by checking out the interesting information panels near the lower car park that describe the rejuvenation of the Kauri Cascades. The local iwi Kawerau ā Maki played a significant role in the project and gave the track its new name, Te Piringa, which replaced the previous Auckland City Walk name. Te Piringa means the coming together of people and cultures.
From the panels, follow the path to the wāhi whakanoa, where you can rinse your hands before entering the forest. Then, cross the bridge over the Waitākere River and continue alongside the river to a pou marking the start of the Upper Kauri Track. Continue along the river, shrouded in beautiful forest, to the bridge over the Cascade Steam, which meets the river. There was a side track with a view of the Cascades, but that is permanently closed off. You can see several small waterfalls and try walking up the stream.
The track continues to meander near the river, with large kahikatea trees a feature. There is a seat at the end, with a great view of a big kauri, where the track becomes the Fenceline Track and climbs steeply up to the Waitākere Reservoir. You can also access the short Upper Piringa Track from the upper car park, which used to be connected by a bridge. But the bridge is gone.
