The Big Bend Track follows the true right of the Orongorongo River in the Rimutaka Forest Park. Category: Great Walk/Easier tramping track Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min one way
Burtton's Track (Scotts Road to Mangahao Road) lies between Palmerston North and Shannon. Category: Tramping track Distance: 17 km Completion Time: 6 hr going south, 7 hr going north
Butcher Track begins about 10 minutes along the Orongorongo Track. A stiff climb brings magnificent views of Wellington Harbour. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 2 hr round trip
This walk crosses a footbridge over the Catchpool Stream, from a signposted point 15 minutes along the Orongorongo Track. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 30 min round trip
This track begins at the top of the Butcher Track in Rimutaka Forest Park and heads north along Cattle Ridge to join the Orongorongo Track near Turere Stream. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min one way
This tramping track links with other tracks in the Rimutaka Forest Park to take you up to Mt Mckerrow. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 2.5 hr to Mt McKerrow
Climb to the summit of this 468 metre peak and on a clear day you can see from the Kaikoura Range in the south to Mt Taranaki in the north-west. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 3 – 5 hr round trip
The two possible routes on this Castlepoint walk offer spectacular views as you climb above the lagoon along the boundary track to the base of Castle Rock. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min return
The walking track to Donnelly Flat passes through some of the best mixed podocarp/broadleaf forest in the Tararua Range. Category: Walking track Distance: 2.5 km Completion Time: 1 hr round trip
The day trip to Table Top is the classic climb to the tops of the western Tararua Range. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 5 – 6 hr return
Five Mile Loop Track starts from the car park at the top of the Catchpool Valley. Cross the footbridge to the left of the car park. The track is well signposted. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min round trip
One of the most popular day trips in the park is the climb to Mountain House Shelter along the easy grade of the Gentle Annie Track. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 3 hr 30 min - 4 hr round trip
The classic Holdsworth - Kaitoke tramp follows the Waiohine and Tauherenikau Rivers for 36 km between Holdsworth and Kaitoke. Category: Great Walk/Easier tramping track Distance: 36 km Completion Time: 13-14 hr
Honeycomb Rock is a spectacular outcrop on the Wairarapa coast, so named because of the cell-like weathering pattern which gives the rock a honeycomb appearance. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 5 - 6 hr
This 30 minute loop walks takes you through a flooded forest remnant in the Wairarapa. Category: Short walk Completion Time: 30 min
The open summit of Kapakapanui is one of the best viewpoints in the Tararua Range. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 6 hr return
This pleasant loop walk is well-graded and benched and passes through forest that has regenerated well after logging in the 1930s. Category: Tramping track Distance: 1 km Completion Time: 30 min
Kohekohe Walk in Hemi Matenga Memorial Park Scenic Reserve is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. It links Tui Crescent to Kakariki Grove. Category: Short walk Completion Time: 30 min return
Look out for fossil shells in the rock as you follow the board-walk over the reef and past the lighthouse at Castlepoint Scenic Reserve. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 30 min return Alert: The Castlepoint causeway and wind fence leading to the lighthouse have been removed.
Makara Walkway is a 6 km loop, climbing to vantage points with spectacular views, and returning along the beach. Makara Beach is 16 km north of Wellington. Category: Tramping track Distance: 6 km loop
The Mangahao Makahika Track connects Burtton's Track, which lies between Palmerston North and Shannon, with the Arapaepae Lookout Trail near Levin. Category: Tramping track Distance: 15 km Completion Time: 6 - 7 hrs going south, 7- 8 hrs going north
Mangaone Walkway follows an old bush tramway in low hill country east of Waikanae. It was historically known as Reikorangi Track. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 3 hr each way
This track takes you to the top of Matiu/Somes Island in Wellington Harbour, where you can see gun emplacements built during World War II, and enjoy 360 degree views. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 30 min return
A loop track around Matiu/Somes Island offers 360 degree views of Wellington harbour and the surrounding landscape. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 40 min loop track
This walking track from the Catchpool carpark at the entrance to the Rimutaka Forest Park links up with two other popular tracks. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 1 hr return
The Barra track follows the Waingawa River to Mitre Flats and Mitre Flats Hut. Category: Tramping track Distance: 8.2 km Completion Time: 8 - 9 hr return
The classic Mt Holdsworth - Jumbo Circuit is a two to three day tramp involving a climb through beech-podocarp forest to some of the best alpine tops travel in the Tararua Forest Park. Category: Great Walk/Easier tramping track Distance: 24 km Completion Time: 12 hr
Mt Matthews is the tallest peak in the Rimutaka range and the nearest to Wellington. The climb to the summit will take you 949 m above sea level. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 1 day
At the top of Mt McKerrow in Rimutaka Forest Park trees block the views but on the way up you get panoramic peeks of Wainuiomata and the Hutt Valley. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 6 hr
Catchpool Valley's Nature Trail is an alternative to the road from the Nga Taonga Trail. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 20 min one way
Nga Taonga Nature Walk begins in the clearing beside the Graces Stream footbridge. Along the trail you'll find information signs describing the forest plant life in the Catchpool Valley. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 30 min to Catchpool Valley road
One of the most popular walks in New Zealand, this well developed track passes through different types of bush, leading to the Orongorongo Valley. Category: Walking track Distance: 5.2 km one way Completion Time: 4 hr return
There are a number of easy short walks around Otaki Forks. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 40 min – 2 hr depending on route Alert: An 80m section of the track has slipped into the river, approx. 10min from the Fenceline carpark at Otaki Forks.
There are a number of short tracks that descend from Otaki Gorge Road into the gorge, giving access for picnicking, swimming, fishing and watersports. Category: Walking track
The Papatahi Crossing climbs from the Orongorongo River and up over Papatahi to the Wairarapa side of the Rimutaka Forest Park. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 12 hrs or 2 days to Battery Stream
Well-formed, Parata Walking Track is suitable for people of most ages and fitness levels. It climbs to a lookout offering views of the coast and Reikorangi Valley. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 1 – 2 hr return
Three 2-3 hour walks lead to the Putangirua Pinnacles in Aorangi Forest Park. There is also a 3-4 hour walk with excellent views of Palliser Bay and Lake Onoke. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 2 – 4 hr depending on route Alert: Watch for falling rocks on the streambed walk.
This tramp follows the Mount Holdsworth Track to Powell Hut. From the rocky outcrop below the hut you get a view of High Ridge and Totara Flats far below. Category: Great Walk/Easier tramping track Completion Time: 5 – 6 hr or 7 – 8 hr, depending on route
Built in 1878, this rail route between the Hutt Valley and Featherston is now a gently graded 18 km walk, run or mountain bike ride, with opportunities for camping, swimming and fishing. Category: Walking track Distance: 18 km one way (Kaitoke to Cross Creek carpark) Completion Time: 3 hr walk or 1 hr bike ride one way, starting from Kaitoke
This easy 20 minute walk follows the boardwalk through the Carter Scenic Reserve, a recovering wetland in the Wairarapa Category: Short walk Completion Time: 20 min each way
Smith Creek - Tauherenikau River is a daytrip in the southern Tararua Range and the exit/entry to the Kaitoke-Holdsworth Tramp. Category: Tramping track Distance: 13 km Completion Time: 4 hr return
The Northern Crossing links the Ohau and Waingawa catchments in Tararua Forest Park and is one of four classic tramps in the park. Category: Route Completion Time: 3 – 5 days
The Southern Crossing is one of the four classic tramps of the Tararua Range. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 3 days
Tawa Grove in Catchpool Valley is a bush trail specially designed for disabled or elderly people. The walk begins from near the field centre. Category: Easy access walk Completion Time: 30 min round trip
Experience stunning views and native bush on Te Arapiki o Tawhaki at Pukaha Mount Bruce. Category: Walking track Distance: 4 km Completion Time: 2 hr loop
Te Au Track is suitable for well-equipped and experienced trampers. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 3 – 4 hr to Huia Street
There are a number of short tracks that descend from Waiohine Gorge Road into the gorge, giving access for picnicking, swimming, fishing and watersports. Category: Walking track
This four hour tramping track takes you from Wainuiomata through to the Orongorongo River in the Rimutaka Forest Park. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 7 hrs to Wainuiomata
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Easy access walks - North Island
Easy access walks - South Island
NZ weather
New Zealand topographic maps are available from DOC Visitor Centres
Read important notices about DOC managed areas in the Wellington region
Plan and prepare for your trip
The Great Walks
Wellington NZ website
Federated Mountain Clubs website
Stop the spread of didymoCheck, Clean, Dry all items before entering, and when moving between, waterways.
Safety information
Always contact the nearest visitor centre for the latest information about facilities and conditions.
