Waikanae River Trail, Kāpiti Coast

Walking time

2 hr 30 min

Length

9.6km

Uses

Walking/Running, Mountain Biking, Horse Riding

Type

Single and double track

Walking difficulty

Easy: Walking track

Mountain Bike Grade

Easy: Grade 2

Profile

30m highest point

Dogs

Yes (on lead)

Two people are on a bridge on the Waikanae River Trail in Kāpiti Coast, New Zealand.

About the trail

The Waikanae River Trail and estuary is a nationally significant area. Native birds use it as they travel between the Tararua Range and Kapiti Island. Part of the national Te Araroa Trail, it winds along the Waikanae River beside established willows, young native planting, and lagoons. It offers wide gravel paths suitable for wheelchairs, buggies, and families.

The trail can be walked or cycled as a full loop, crossing at the old State Highway 1 bridge at Otaihanga Domain. Shorter loops can be planned, crossing at the Kāpiti Expressway or the Te Arawai footbridge. Horse riding is also welcome along the trail, following the blue track markers to cross the river in shallow areas.

There are plenty of safe swimming areas, including a popular swimming hole opposite the side track to Otaraua Park. You can also take the track down to the sea and swim there.

Getting there

Begin this walk at the Otaihanga Domain on Makora Road. Otaihanga is approximately one hour’s drive north of Wellington. Here there are toilets, car parking, and picnic areas. You can begin your walk either by heading east (upstream) along the south bank or cross the bridge and head along the north bank. If you want to walk to the lagoons, go over the suspension bridge and head West to the sea.
Trains from Wellington depart for Waikanae regularly, and there are bus stops on Te Moana Road, Barrett Drive, and Manly Street.
Horse riders can begin the trail on the northern bank. Greenaway Road has a car park with plenty of space for horse floats, and there are mounting blocks at the entrance to the trail. There is also access for horses off the old State Highway 1, beside the river, with a stile and mounting blocks.

Three people ride on horseback on the Waikanae River Trail.

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.

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.

Farm Race Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveMake a beeline for the heart of the Whareroa Farm trail network.

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.

Two adults and two children cycling along a wide, flat path in Queen Elizabeth Park, Kāpiti Coast.

Yankee Trail

Queen Elizabeth ParkThe Yankee Trail is a fun and easy to moderate cycle and walking track leading to the US Marines Memorial at Mackays Crossing.

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.

Two adults and two children riding bicycles on a gravel path surrounded by dense green trees and grass.

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.

Link Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveKnown locally as Zig Zag, this is the main uphill track that mountain bikers use to link up to Five Ways Track or Campbell’s Mill Road.

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.

Waikanae River Trail