Kitekite Falls is a three-tiered, 40-metre waterfall on the Glen Esk Stream, in Piha within Auckland‘s Waitākere Ranges Regional Park. This guide covers access hours, costs, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical tips for planning a visit.
This guide was updated in September 2026. One point to note: after storm damage in 2023, the full Kitekite–Knutzen loop was closed. As of the most recent official update, only the out-and-back walk from Glen Esk Road is open, a detail some older guides do not reflect.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | No gate. Pedestrian access is unrestricted, though the track is best walked in daylight |
| Ticket prices | Free, including parking at the Glen Esk Road carpark |
| Address | Glen Esk Road, Piha, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Nearest transport | No regular public transport. Car only, about 40–45 minutes from central Auckland |
| Typical time needed | 45–60 minutes return to the base of the falls |
Kitekite Falls opening hours
Kitekite Falls has no entrance gate, so the carpark and track are accessible at any time, in the same way as the pedestrian areas of Piha’s other regional park land. Mobile reception along the route is not always reliable, so take a photo of the map board at the start of the track before setting off.
The track is best walked in daylight, since parts of the path involve stream crossings and can be slippery when wet. Because storm damage and kauri dieback measures have affected several nearby tracks, including the connecting Knutzen Track, check the Auckland Council track status map before visiting, particularly after recent heavy rain.
Five great things to do while you’re in Auckland
- Spot whales and dolphins on a half day Hauraki Gulf Marine Park cruise.
- Indulge in Waiheke Island’s finest produce on a food and wine tour.
- See the city from above at the top of the Auckland Sky Tower.
- Enjoy a sunset cruise on Auckland Harbour – with a three course dinner.
- Explore Auckland’s wild side – visiting the city’s black sand beaches and rainforest.
Kitekite Falls ticket prices
Entry to Kitekite Falls, its track and its carpark is free. There is no ticketing system, and the walk is not included in any citywide attraction pass, as Auckland does not currently operate one covering its regional parks. Donation boxes are not present at the trailhead, unlike some other regional park sites.
Track access and current condition were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026.
How to get to Kitekite Falls
There is no regular public transport to Piha. The falls are reached by car from central Auckland via State Highway 16, through Titirangi on Scenic Drive, then Piha Road. Turn onto Glen Esk Road and follow it to the carpark at the road end. The drive takes about 40 to 45 minutes from central Auckland, entirely on sealed roads.
A limited weekend and public holiday bus service links Titirangi with Piha village in summer, from where it is a walk of about 1km to the Glen Esk Road trailhead. Most visitors, however, arrive by car.
Parking at Kitekite Falls
Free parking is available at the Glen Esk Road carpark, which has toilets and picnic tables. An overflow carpark is located a few hundred metres before the main one on busy days, so allow extra time to find a space in peak summer periods.
How long to spend at Kitekite Falls
The main track to the base of the falls takes about 60 minutes return, covering 2.75km and roughly 3,575 steps, according to Auckland Council. Reaching the base alone takes around 30 minutes one way, with a further 15 minutes on to the top if continuing on the Connect Track. Add extra time for swimming or for photographs at the two benched lookout points along the way.
Accessibility at Kitekite Falls
The track has formed gravel sections and boardwalks, but it also includes two stream crossings that need agility and good balance, plus some stairs near the falls that can be slippery when wet. It is not considered suitable for wheelchairs or prams. A walking stick is recommended for visitors unsure of the stream crossings, and sturdy, grippy footwear is worth wearing throughout.
What to see at Kitekite Falls
Kitekite Falls drops a total of 40 metres over three tiers, fed by the Glen Esk Stream. From the lookout partway along the track, the upper sections of white water make the falls appear taller still, with the flow noticeably fuller after rain.
The track passes through native forest, including mature kauri and rimu, following the stream for most of its length on gravel paths and timber boardwalks built to protect tree roots from foot traffic.
Near the start of the track stands an old kauri stump, a reminder of the trees once removed here when a timber mill operated in the area, and a marker of how large those original trees were.
A swimming hole sits at the base of the falls, and a second, smaller pool lies at the top, reached via the steeper Connect Track. Both are popular on warm days, though conditions should be avoided after heavy rain, when the stream can rise quickly.
At the start of the walk, a kauri dieback cleaning station asks visitors to clean soil from their footwear, to stop the disease spreading between forest areas. Around 30,000 people are estimated to walk this track each year, making it one of the busiest in the Waitākere Ranges.
The wider Kitekite–Knutzen loop, which once returned via a separate crossing, has been partly closed since storm damage in 2023. Repair work, including a new bridge over the damaged section, is under way, but only the out-and-back route via Glen Esk Road is currently open.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit early morning or on weekdays, since this is one of the most popular walks in the Waitākere Ranges. |
| Crowds | The carpark can fill by mid-morning on fine weekends and summer holidays. |
| Layout | Two stream crossings near the falls need care. Bring shoes you don’t mind getting wet. |
| Entry process | No booking or ticket is required. Simply park and follow the signposted track from the cleaning station. |
| On-site logistics | Clean footwear at the kauri dieback station, and avoid crossing the stream after heavy rain. |
Frequently asked questions about Kitekite Falls
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do you need to book to visit Kitekite Falls? | No. There is no booking system or entry fee for the track or carpark. |
| Is Kitekite Falls suitable for children? | Yes. The main track is considered family-friendly, though the stream crossings need supervision. |
| Can you swim at Kitekite Falls? | Yes, when conditions allow, in the pool at the base or the smaller pool at the top of the falls. |
| Are dogs allowed on the Kitekite Falls Track? | No. Dogs are not permitted on the track, to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease. |
| Is Kitekite Falls open after heavy rain? | The track can flood temporarily at the stream crossings. Wait for water levels to drop, or turn back. |
Things to do near Kitekite Falls
- Piha Beach – Auckland’s best-known black-sand surf beach, with seasonal lifeguard patrols, a five-minute drive from the falls.
- Lion Rock – a prominent volcanic outcrop on Piha Beach, reached on foot from the village.
- Karekare Falls – a 30-metre waterfall near Karekare Beach, easily seen from the roadside, about a 20-minute drive south.
- Karekare Beach – another black-sand Waitākere beach, known as a filming location and for its wide, open dunes.
- Arataki Visitor Centre – the main gateway to the Waitākere Ranges, with park displays, information and short nature trails.
Alternative attractions
- Hunua Falls – a 30-metre waterfall in the Hunua Ranges, southeast of Auckland, reached by a short, easy track, about one hour’s drive.
- Karekare Falls – a shorter, easily accessible 30-metre waterfall near Karekare Beach, visible partway from the road, about 45 minutes’ drive.
- Bridal Veil Falls, Raglan – a 55-metre waterfall in the Waikato region, reached by a well-formed bush track, about one hour fifty minutes’ drive.
- Owharoa Falls, Karangahake Gorge – a wide, terraced waterfall with a swimming pool close to the road, about two hours’ drive.
- Wairere Falls, Kaimai Range – one of the North Island’s taller waterfalls, reached by a moderate return walk, about two and a half hours’ drive.
More North Island travel
Other New Zealand North Island travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Auckland’s islands: Guides to Tiritiri Matangi and the Rangitoto Island ferry.
- Plan your visit to Whatipu Beach in Auckland.
- Tackling Auckland’s 16km Coast-to-Coast Walkway via One Tree Hill and Mount Eden.
- Pedal-powered monorail: Riding the Shweeb in Rotorua.
- Kayaking with seals from New Plymouth.
