North Head Summit is a hiking area in Belmont on Auckland's North Shore, holding a 4.8 rating on Google. Summit walks in this part of Auckland tend to be short but sharp: steep tracks over volcanic and coastal terrain that open onto exposed tops where the wind picks up and the weather turns quickly. Good hiking areas keep their paths drained, signed and open, but after heavy rain it pays to check whether a reserve has been closed for track work before setting out. Regulars go early — cooler, quieter, with the light over the Hauraki Gulf at its best. Grippy shoes matter more than distance, as these climbs are harder on the calves than their length suggests. For Belmont locals after a proper leg-stretch without leaving the shore, North Head Summit's strong rating marks it out as a climb worth the effort.