Keen walker David Mallowes offers suggestions about fun and interesting routes people can take to get some exercise and enjoy the area in his new column.
This scenic one- to two-hour walk starts and finishes with the panoramic harbour views from Stockade Hill.
From there to Murvale Reserve then the McLeay Reserve and MacDonald Walkway to Mellons Bay.
From Mellons Bay up to Marine Parade for beautiful sea views, down to Howick Beach and back to Howick. Stockade Hill is a significant historical and commemorative site of Howick.
Murvale Reserve contains many short tracks, huge oak trees, and lots of shade.
Much of the McLeay Reserve and MacDonald Walkway was planted in native trees 30 to 80 years ago and volunteers have been busy for the last five years planting another 5000.
Shaded and very pretty, Mellons Bay is a lovely beach popular with dog walkers and Howick Beach in summer is busy with families picnicking under the many Pohutukawa.
For a printed street/walkway guide annotated with 21 waypoints, visit the Facebook page Walks Out East. This is a 7km circuit. Like a longer 10km walk?
Extend through Macleans Park to Eastern Beach and around. Shorter?
From Stockade Hill follow Mellons Bay Road then choose a beach loop.
At Howick Beach, maybe find the Nuns Walk behind the Sailing Club.
Underfoot: This walk is quite up and down. Well-formed tracks through the Murvale and McLeay Reserves, (if ground is wet, continue past 31 Haseler to the entrance next to 90 Haseler).
The MacDonald Walkway from Mellons Bay is wheelchair-friendly.
Playgrounds: Adjacent to the corner of Sale Street and Selwyn Road. Also on Moore Street. A challenge for children, find the waypoints on the map!
Restrooms: Mellons Bay, Howick Beach, Howick township.
Coffee break: We’re spoilt for cafes on this route. As well as the Howick main street, there’s the Uxbridge Cafe in Uxbridge Road, Shamrock Cottage in Selwyn Road, Howick Village Cafe in Fencible Drive.
QR code – For an online route map to follow as you walk, visit
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/draft-two-beaches-two-lovely-bush-walks-stockade-hill-4b7a555
Many more walks to be featured over summer including Mangemangeroa, Omana, Duders, Cascade, Lloyd Elsmore, Musick Point, Panmure, Tahuna Torea, Whitford and Burswood.
Checklist: Water bottle, sunscreen, sunhat, mobile phone, mini first-aid kit, map/directions print-out.
Like to walk with others? Walkers and joggers from the Pakuranga Athletic Club head out in slow to fast groups from the Cascades Road clubrooms at 9am Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Enjoy, and explore!
