Wellington Regional Trails
A person wearing a vest sits on a bench looking at the scenic landscape from Rangituhi/Colonial Knob Walkway.

Reward your steep climb up several hundred steps with views over Porirua and beyond.

Length

1.6km

Uses

Walking/Running

Walking difficulty

Intermediate: Easier tramping track

Profile

310m climb

347m highest point

Dogs

No
Two people stand arm in arm looking at a picturesque sunset from Rangituhi/Colonial Knob Walkway.

About the trail

Rangituhi/Colonial Knob encompasses 110 hectares of scenic reserve, just a few minutes from Porirua city centre. There are three possible routes offering loop walks, so depending on your time, you can spend three to five hours there.

The more scenic route, beginning at the Broken Hill Road car park, takes you past the man-made lakes which once supplied water to Porirua Hospital and through Kohekohe Forest.

The high point, Mount Rangituhi, rises 468m west of Porirua City. On a clear day, you have views of the Inland Kaikoura Range in the South Island, to Mount Taranaki in the northwest. Just below is Porirua Harbour (a unique drowned river valley) stretching out towards Paremata and the Pāuatahanui Inlet.

Getting there

  • The trail starts from Camp Elsdon car park and can be completed in both directions.
  • The summit can be accessed from Te Ara Utiwai trail or from Farm Road.
  • There are regular bus and train services to Porirua and the surrounding area. Timetables are available from Metlink.
Two people are walking upwards along a grassy incline. The figures are silhouetted with a pale blue sky behind them.

Know before you go

  • Get ready using Plan My Walk for track alerts, weather forecasts, trip reviews and a packing list.
  • Take warm waterproof clothing, durable footwear, sunscreen, food and water.
  • This trail is part of Te Araroa national walkway and is intended for walking only.

Looking for more?

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A walking path through the bushes at Te Ara Utiwai in Rangituhi in Porirua, New Zealand.

Te Ara Utiwai

Ngā Ara o RangituhiThe Te Ara Utiwai trail in Porirua is a gentle climb to Te Titiro o Rangituhi (Rangituhi lookout) through native bush.

A young child looks at 'the Smurf corner', a manmade fairy village on the Spicer Link Trail.

Spicer Link

Ngā Ara o RangituhiOnly a few minutes from Porirua, an easy, family-friendly trail weaves through the bush, offering glimpses of fairies amongst the trees.

Chimney Sweep

Ngā Ara o RangituhiA sweeping downhill trail with a chimney jump and other fun features.

Dirt pathway surrounded by green tress and moss.

Tumeke

Ngā Ara o RangituhiA ‘tumeke’ downhill ride with options for upping the ante.

The Doctor

Ngā Ara o RangituhiExplore exotic native forest and open landscapes on this quick and easy one-hour trail.

Dirt track with a blue sign post that has text 'Rough Justice' on it. Rolling hills and a city can be seen in the background.

Rough Justice

Ngā Ara o RangituhiA bumpy mountain biking trail that lives up to its name.

Farm Road

Ngā Ara o RangituhiA moderate climb to the Rangituhi lookout that connects to popular trails within Ngā Ara o Rangituhi.

Crash Palace

Ngā Ara o RangituhiExpert riders can smash their way down this bumpy trail full of tight turns and corners.

Blaster

Ngā Ara o RangituhiBlast downhill through a challenging course of berms, tight switchbacks and tables.

A mountain biker sits at the end of a hill ridge on the Puketiro Loop track looking out towards the Pāuatahanui Inlet.

Puketiro Loop

Battle Hill Farm Forest ParkClimb through dense pine plantations and take in views over Pāuatahanui on this intermediate trail suitable for walkers, bikers, and horse riders.