My visit was just a week before the planned opening of the Northwestern Cycle Route's new tunnel under the Te Atatu motorway interchange, which spares cyclists the delay and worry of having to cross at traffic signals.
From Flanshaw Rd, the path winds up and down and tightly around the backs of suburban properties, under Central Park Drive and past wide Henderson Creek.
Interpretive boards explain where you are.
But as a newbie to the pathways of Henderson - I normally pass through from Scenic Drive - I get lost in a parking area near the bowling green.
After another underpass I arrive at Great North Rd, technically the end of the Henderson Creek path, with the start of the Opanuku Stream path just a pedestrian crossing away.
A short section of shingle takes me to the Corbans Estate car park and a bridge with confusing signs and, you guessed it - lost again!
Back on the right path, I pedal through Henderson's industrial back-yard and then some pretty picnic areas before reaching Henderson Valley Rd and the end of the track's best sections, although you can cycle along the footpath and steeply up to South Kensington Way.
From Henderson Valley Rd, the best option is to return the same way if you have children on bikes, until roading authorities connect this path - by encouraging footpath cycling and establishing safe crossings - to the Oratia Stream path.
Confident cyclists can take the roads, some of which have a narrow verge.
The Oratia Stream path, starting at Parrs Cross Rd, provides a quick spin through grass and trees and passes under the railway before it becomes an on-footpath route for its last half.
Officially it ends on Vitaso-vich Ave, short of Edsel St.
This leaves cyclists to walk, or ride on the road, to complete the circuit back to Henderson Creek but it's all well worth the time and effort.
