Anawhata Road is situated in the Waitakere Ranges, splitting off from the road to Piha. It’s a dead end road, but it’s the longest gravel road in West Auckland, and the closest of any length to the CBD. It may also be worth the detour if doing the T2B Route to break up the tarseal monotony of Auckland (in the warmer months the Piha Surf Club provides a good feed and Lone Kauri Road can provide an interesting detour on the way back.) Apart from having to dodge potholes, the surface is well packed with not much loose metal.
Along the road you get good views of Lion Rock / Piha, and Anawhata Beach at the road end.
If you wish to continue on to Anawahta Beach itself you have to get your walk on, as a locked gate stops any further vehicle access.
Don’t be surprised to encounter traffic as this road services houses and walking tracks in the area.
Contributed by: @daniel_fisher
Track type: Gravel Road
Track composition: Smooth, Firm, Undulating
Slippery when wet?: No
Suitable for bikes > 650cc Beginner
Suitable for bikes < 650cc Beginner
River crossings? No
Daniel also kindly supplied this hand drawn map to print out for those that prefer a paper map.
Looks awesome, great pics – hope weather forecast good this sunday 5 August for a barp at lunchtime
Cheers. If you’ve got the time check out Karekare Rd/Lone Kauri Rd. It’s tarseal and stated at both ends as no exit (my guess is to keep tourists as using it as a loop road) infact is is not. Lone Kauri is more or less a single lane set of tiwsties, not really a fanging road, but interesting nonetheless. Best ridden south to north IMO.
Update,
Did this Road today, nice ride a few pot holes to lookout for also wet clay in a few areas, great views at the end! Well worth the ride and close to the city.