Major Walkways - Self Guided Walks
Below is a list of the major walkways that cover the capital, from the inner city to the coast, and many parks in between.
City to Sea Walkway (12 km)
The City to Sea Walkway starts in the heart of central Wellington near Parliament and ends at the South Coast, 12 kilometres away in Island Bay.
You will get spectacular views of central Wellington, the southern suburbs of Newtown, Berhampore and Island Bay, Government House, historic Erskine College, the Brooklyn wind turbine, Mount Victoria, Mount Kaukau and Cook Strait, as well as more distant views of the Tararua, Rimutaka and Kaikoura ranges.
The walk takes about 6 hours but can be done in stages. The route is described here from the city to sea but marker posts mean it can be walked in either direction. You can catch a No 1 bus to the city from Island Bay, and other services at several points along the way.
Northern Walkway (16 km)
The Northern Walkway guides you along part of the Town Belt from Johnsonville to the Botanic Garden.
The Northern Walkway extends 16 kilometres from Johnsonville through several parks via the Town Belt to Kelburn. It takes at least 4 hours to complete. Various exits to suburban streets allow you to take this walk in stages if you wish. The walkway has many attractions including spectacular views, picnic sites, children's play areas, unused tunnels, and the Khandallah Summer Pool. It is steep in some places but not difficult overall.
Southern Walkway (11 km)
The Southern Walkway is an 11 km walk along the Town Belt between Oriental Bay and Island Bay. The total walk can be completed in 4-5 hours depending on fitness and interest.
The greatest attraction of this walkway is the variety of scenery, from views of the harbour and central city at Oriental Bay, the shade and tranquillity of the Town Belt forest to the rugged and exposed southern coastline between Houghton and Island Bays.
Eastern Walkway (2.5 km)
The Eastern Walkway extends along the southern end of Miramar Peninsula from the Pass of Branda to Tarakena Bay. The track is 2.5 km long and takes about 1.5 hours to complete. The track surface is mainly gravel and much of the track is exposed.
There is also an extra walk which can be done out to Point Dorset, allow 1 hour to discover World War II gun batteries and observation posts.
Te Kopahou Reserve (4 - 9 km)
Te Kopahou Reserve has important conservation values and is a unique Wellington asset. Within the 600 hectares of land you will find a variety of walking and mountain biking tracks, popular diving, surfcasting and beachcombing areas, fur seals, interesting flora, historical sites and outstanding views. Most of the land is administered by Wellington City Council.
Discover numerous tracks and amazing views in the Te Kopahou Reserve including Red Rocks, the Brooklyn wind turbine and the Karori Sanctuary.
Skyline Walkway (12 km)
A strenuous walk. You can start at the south end - Karori and finish in Johnsonville or start at the other end - Johnsonville and finish in Karori.
Allow up to 5 hours to enjoy this 12km walk from Makara Hill summit following the ridge of the Outer Green Belt, passing the west side of Johnson's Hill and then onto Mt Kau Kau before finishing in Johnsonville at the Old Coach Road track. On a clear day enjoy magnificent views of Wellington, Porirua, Petone, Eastbourne, the South Island and beyond!
More information can be obtained from Wellington City Council or pick up a map from the Wellington i-SITE Visitor Centre, on the corner of Victoria and Wakefield Streets, in the Civic Square.
