Red Tape Track at Whareroa Farm, Kāpiti Coast

Length

1.9km

Uses

Mountain Biking

Type

Single track

Mountain Bike Grade

Intermediate: Grade 3

Profile

213m highest point

Dogs

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

Two mountain bikers ride along a dirt track in the hills.

A mountain biker rides uphill along a forest track.

About the trail

As one of just two mountain biking trails that run through the Whareroa Farm boundaries, this intermediate, purpose-built track has a bit of everything.

Start the trail from the farm base, taking Link Track, a gentle uphill zigzag, to Five Ways Lookout, which offers stunning views of the valley and out to sea. The fun, downhill leg called Red Tape flows with twists, bends and bumps through regenerating native bush and providing more views of the coastline and Kapiti Island.

The ideal family track for intermediate riders finishes in open grassland, joining the shared Intake Valley walking track and linking back to the car park via the Farm Race Track.

Two cyclists ride on Red Tape Track at Whareroa Far, located 3.5km north of Paekākāriki on State Highway 1.

Getting there

Whareroa Farm is 3.5km north of Paekākāriki on State Highway 1, an hour’s drive north of Wellington. Take the Mackays crossing exit to Queen Elizabeth Park, and the Whareroa Farm entrance is east through the underpass. Parking is available at the entrance.
There are regular train services from Wellington to the Kāpiti Coast. Timetables are available from the Metlink website. Paekākāriki is the closest train station.
You can ride through Queen Elizabeth Park from either Paekākāriki or Raumati South to the Mackays Crossing underpass, which takes you directly to the Whareroa Farm entrance.

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.

Forest Loop

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveTake a short, gentle wander through remnant kohekohe forest and soak up views over Queen Elizabeth Park and Kapiti Island.

Campbell’s Mill Road

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

Three people ride on horseback on a dirt road.

East Ridge Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveA steep climb to the top of Whareroa Farm with rewarding views over the Kāpiti Coast.

Three people standing on top of Birchville Dam. Green trees and bushes surround them.

Cannon Point Walkway

Zigzag through the hills north of Upper Hutt to the historic Birchville Dam.

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.

Escarpment Track

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

The rocky coastline, blue water, and mountains are at Red Rocks Coastal Walkway.

Red Rocks Track

Waimapihi Reserve, Brooklyn Turbine and Te Kopahou ReserveAdventure along the ridgelines on the south coast for huge views of the Cook Strait and then down to the coastline to meet the fur seals.

Fenceline

Waimapihi Reserve, Brooklyn Turbine and Te Kopahou ReserveFollow the boundary of Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne ecosanctuary and tune into native birdsong.

Red Tape Track