Wellington Regional Trails
A view from the Pukeatua Track, with forest and green rolling hills in the background.

Ōtaki Gorge Road closed

Ōtaki Gorge Road is closed to vehicles and pedestrians due to a major slip. There is an emergency track that you can use to access to Ōtaki Forks.

Find out more

This track is one of the tougher sections of Te Araroa trail linking Ōtaki Forks to Mangaone South Road.

Walking time

7 hr

Length

12.5km

Uses

Tramping/Hiking

Type

Single track

Walking difficulty

Advanced: Tramping track

Profile

804m highest point

Dogs

No
A brifge over a stream on Pukeatua Track. Native trees surround the bridge.

About the trail

This trail is a mix of four-wheel drive tracks, pine forest, native regenerative bush, old trees, and stream crossings. You can start on the Mangaone Walkway at the Mangaone South car park in Waikanae and take a right turn on to Pukeatua Track.

Follow the trail all the way to Ōtaki Forks and exit via the Emergency Access Track or walk to the summit and return the same way (about 14 kilometres return).

Enjoy the trail as a day walk from the Waikanae end, either by walking to the summit or add on an extra 5 kilometres to Ōtaki Forks and exit via the Emergency Access Track.

A small rocky stream on the Pukeatua Track in Tararua Forest Park.
A green and yellow sign on Pukeatua Track showing the directions and times for each trail in the area.
Looking down into a stream surrounded in bush on Pukeatua Track.
A path up the hill on the Pukeatua Track, showing a steady incline through regenerating pine forest.

Getting there

If you’re driving, park at the Mangaone Walkway southern car park.

If you choose to walk out from Ōtaki Forks, park another car at the Emergency Access Track on Otaki Gorge Road to make the return journey quicker.

Know before you go

  • Get ready using Plan My Walk by the NZ Mountain Safety Council for track alerts, weather forecasts, trip reviews and a packing list.
  • Toilets are available at the Mangaone Walkway southern entrance.
  • Tramping boots or sturdy walking shoes are a must.
  • There are several stream crossings.
  • Walking poles are a good idea as some sections are steep
  • At 810 metres, the summit is sub-alpine so take extra layers of warm clothing

For more tips and advice before heading out on Wellington’s trails check out our before you go section.

Looking for more?

Five hikers walk up a ridgeline in Tararua Forest Park.

Ōtaki Forks to Kime Hut

A significant and classic section of the Southern Crossing in the Tararua Range, with snow-peaked mountain tops and incredible sunset views.

At the top of Mākara Walkway looking south, you can see the coastline with windmills dotting the hills. The top of the South Island an be seen in the distance.

Mākara Walkway

Clamber high above the Mākara Beach cliffs and discover exhilarating views, WWII gun emplacements, breathtaking beachfront, and historic pā sites.

Two people walking along a swing bridge between two hillsides on the Escarpment track above the Kāpiti Coast.

Escarpment Track

Take in spectacular views of Kapiti Island from high above the Kāpiti Coastline.

Two people sit on a bench in a small clearing at the summit of Hemi Matenga Scenic Reserve in the Kāpiti Coast.

Te Au Track

Hemi Matenga Scenic ReserveLocated in Hemi Matenga Scenic Reserve, the Te Au track climbs to 521m and offers panoramic views of the Waikanae Estuary and Kapiti Island.

The exterior of Field Hut in Tararua Forest Park. People are sitting on the deck eating. Native trees surround the hut.

Ōtaki Forks to Field Hut

Enjoy a versatile hike through grasslands, bush and tussock to the oldest surviving recreational hut in the Tararua Range.

Two people walk along Bus Barn Track in East Harbour Regional Park during golden hour.

Bus Barn Track

East Harbour Regional ParkAn easy trail through mature beech forest and stunning kahikatea trees.

The people walk along a wide gravel path passing the entrance sign to East Harbour Regional Park.

Kererū Track

East Harbour Regional ParkSee native kererū and orchids while enjoying views over Wellington from the hills above Days Bay.

A child and adult in the bush looking into the trees and pointing.

Kohekohe Walk

Hemi Matenga Scenic ReserveHead to Waikanae to walk through one of the largest remaining kohekohe forests in New Zealand.

Four people ride bicycles on a path in Queen Elizabeth Regional Park in the Paraparaumu, New Zealand surrounded by nature.

Coast 35

Coast 35 connects Paekākāriki and Ōtaki through an off-road shared trail that runs parallel with the Kāpiti Expressway.

Powell Hut in Tararua Forest Park in the Wairarapa region. It’s a small house with dark green siding, and a red roof with two people standing on the exterior wooden deck.

Holdsworth roadend to Powell Hut/Mount Holdsworth

Spend the night at Powell Hut or continue on to the Mount Holdsworth summit on this one or two-day adventure in the Tararua Range.