Coast 35 along the Kāpiti Coast - WellingtonNZ

Wellington Regional Trails

Walking time

3 hr

Length

34.8km

Uses

Walking/Running, Mountain Biking, Horse Riding, Wheelchair/Pram

Type

Double track

Walking difficulty

Easiest: Easy access short walk

Mountain Bike Grade

Easy: Grade 2

Profile

26m highest point

Dogs

Yes (on lead)

Four cyclists are riding on the path in Queen Elizabeth Regional Park, located in Paraparaumu, New Zealand.

About the trail

The 35km trail is popular with walkers, runners, cyclists and horse riders and features dunes, wetlands, bridges, tunnels, tram crossings and underpasses.

From Coast 35, you can access the Waikanae and Ōtaki River trails and local roads. You can divert to Ngā Manu Nature Reserve in Waikanae, Southward Car Museum at Otaihanga or the Tote Modern in Ōtaki. Or pay a visit to a café in Paekākāriki, Harrisons Garden World café in Peka Peka and Ruth Pretty’s Garden Café in Te Horo.

Horses share the path along most of the route, except for the Raumati Road and river bridges.

Four people wearing bicycle helmets are standing, leaning against a wooden railing on a bridge along the Coast 35 trail in Queen Elizabeth Regional Park in the Kāpiti Coast.

Getting there

Coast 35 starts at the southern end of Queen Elizabeth Park in Paekākāriki, about 35 minutes north of Wellington by car or an easy train journey to Paekākāriki Station.

To begin from the northern Ōtaki end, parking is available just north of the Rahui Road bridge, opposite the BP station. There are also parking spots along the trail if you want to ride or walk certain sections.

A drone shot of where the Ōtaki river meets the ocean, at sunset with Kapiti island in the distance.

Ōtaki River Trail

Follow the banks of the Ōtaki River on this popular walking and biking trail, with views of the coastline, river, and the Tararua Range.

Three people cross a shallow river on horesback.

Waikanae River Trail

Walk or ride the banks of Waikanae River from State Highway 1 to the sea.

The Ōtaki River Trail in the Kāpiti Coast.

Chrystalls Bend Walkway

A gentle stroll through native bush to Chrystalls Lagoon, with breathtaking views of the Tararua Range.

A landscape image of native New Zealand bush, a beach, rolling green hills and a bright blue sky.

Inland Track

Queen Elizabeth ParkIf you love sea views and don’t mind some inclines, head along the winding ridge of the Inland Track.

Four cyclists stop to rest by a bush in the early morning sunlight on Red Take Track at Whareroa Farm.

Campbell’s Mill Road

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveA wide, gentle farm track connecting many Whareroa Farm tracks to the Akatarawa Forest and Mount Wainui.

2 adults and 2 children bike alongside the Hutt River.

Hutt River Trail

Follow the picturesque Hutt River all the way from Petone to Upper Hutt on this easy, well-maintained trail.

A wide shot of three cyclists on a winding path in a grassy valley in Queen Elizabeth Park.

Te Ara o Whareroa

Queen Elizabeth ParkWalk or cycle this wide, mostly flat trail along Kāpiti Coast’s dunelands, from Raumati to Paekākāriki.

Sheep graze in a field of grassy hills under a cloudy sky. Kapiti Island is barely visible on the horizon.

Cairn View Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveA quick uphill climb to phenomenal views over Kāpiti Coast.

A section of the Bothamley Park Walkway. A gravel path surrounded by native New Zealand bush.

Bothamley Park Walkway

The trail follows an old farm track along Kenepuru Stream and through large exotic trees and regenerated bush.

Wooden boardwalk curving through tussocks next to Pāuatahanui inlet. Blue sky.

Te Ara Piko

An easy meandering pathway through a nationally important estuary outlooking Pāuatahanui Inlet.