Walk or bike your way around these Porirua trails

Just a few minutes from Porirua city centre, Mount Rangituhi/Colonial Knob encompasses 110 hectares of scenic reserve. There are three separate loop walks to choose from. Depending on time, you can spend up to five hours exploring these trails.

The more scenic route starts at the Broken Hill Road car park taking you past the manmade 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 stretching out towards Paremata and the Pāuatahanui Inlet.

Te Ara Utiwai is an easy trail that runs from the Camp Elsdon car park to the Rangituhi lookout. You’ll pass through stunning native bush on a gentle climb to the top of the trail.

The first 1.4km is a two-way biking and walking trail. The upper section is a slightly more challenging uphill-only ride. Walkers can travel the entire track in both directions. If you’ve got time, the trail connects with Colonial Knob Walkway to form an 8km half-day walking circuit.

Families of all ages enjoy this trail, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. You’ll climb about 1,200 steep steps, navigate narrow pathways across ridgelines, and traverse two swing bridges.

But don’t let that put you off. It’s one of the highlights of Te Araroa Trail. Escarpment runs from Paekākāriki to Pukerua Bay, taking in sweeping views of the spectacular Kāpiti coastline and Kapiti Island. The trail can be walked in either direction, but most choose to walk from north to south.

Heading south, the trail follows the Kāpiti railway line, then veers uphill and across privately-owned farmland. Along the way you’ll climb 220m above sea level. Make sure you take some well-deserved breaks to appreciate the spectacular views.

Te Ara Piko is an easy, meandering pathway through a nationally important estuary outlooking Pauatahanui Inlet. It runs along the northern edge of the inlet, through indigenous salt marshes and wetland habitat.

The trail features stretches of boardwalk and bridges, with amazing views of the harbour. And it’s the perfect spot for bird and wildlife watching. The flat, gentle gradient is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies, but help may be needed in some places for wheelchair users.

For a longer journey, you can walk past the colourful Camborne boatsheds. You’ll connect up with Camborne Walkway at the western end of the inlet.

Situated in Whitireia Park on the western side of Porirua Harbour, Te Onepoto Loop is an easy walking option for all ages and abilities.

Walk or ride through the active restoration area for great views out over Onehunga Bay. The well-maintained track offers beaches, meadows, steep trails, and wooded areas. There are sweeping views of the harbour and Mana Island.
It takes about 1.5 hours to walk through this popular 6km loop track. Whitireia Park Reserve itself is also popular for fishing off the rocks, exploring rock pools, swimming at Onehunga Bay, and kite surfing.

With more than 500 hectares of land, Battle Hill Farm Forest Park features hilly farmland and dense native forest. In 1848 Battle Hill was the location of one of the last battles between Ngāti Toa Māori and early colonial forces in the region.

You can walk or ride one of the three different trails to the top of Battle Hill. Puketiro Loop and Summit Loop are most popular.

Puketiro will see you climb through dense pine plantations and take in views over Pāuatahanui. It’s an intermediate trail suitable for walkers, bikers, and horse riders. Or as its name suggests, Summit Loop involves a climb to the summit of Battle Hill. Here you’ll see great views over the Horokiwi Valley and towards Pāuatahanui Inlet.