Mount Eden has recently been closed off to vehicles which makes this mountain climb even better than it has been before as pedestrian’s can now walk freely up the wide road that twists around the mountain.
There’s something about closing the mountain off to cars that makes it feel more elusive too – everyone up there has had to expend a bit of energy to get up there…
It’s about a half hour round trip up and down the mountain if you are relatively unfit like me. Once up the top you have uninterrupted 360 degree views of Auckland city and all the way out to the Manukau Harbour from the highest natural point in Auckland.
Closer in you can see the gigantic crater (with no sliding down on cardboard boxes like there was in my day).
At the base of the mountain there is a great playground if you are travelling with little ones which is excellent bribery for getting them up there and back. Just a 10 minute walk down the road is Mount Eden Village which has an excellent selection of places to eat. My favourite is the hand made pasta from Pasta and Cuore – you can check out their menu here.