Wellington Regional Trails
A person walking along a swing bridge on the Atiwhakatu track in Tararua Forest Park.

Walk alongside the Atiwhakatu River and return the same day, or rest at Atiwhakatu Hut overnight.

Walking time
3 hr
Length
11km
Uses
Walking/Running
Type
Single track
Walking difficulty
Easy: Walking track
Profile

200m climb

-220m descent

668m highest point

Dogs
No
Three people and a dog walking on a narrow wooden path in the forest.

About the trail

Meander along the Atiwhakatu River track to Atiwhakatu Hut. It’s a perfect place for families and first-time trampers to park up for a night in the stunning Tararua Forest Park.

Pack a picnic and follow the beautiful river on gentle terrain, then either stay the night or return the same day.

The hut sleeps 26 people and is in great condition with modern facilities. Bookings are essential during the busy summer months.

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Two people are walking up the steps in front of the Castlepoint Lighthouse in the Wairarapa region.

Castlepoint Lighthouse Walk

In a region full of wonderful vistas, this short trail along a wild, rugged coastline leads to one of the most recognisable landmarks in New Zealand.

A drone shot of two adults and two kids standing on a bridge over a river in Tararua Forest Park.

Donnelly Flat Loop Walk

An easy walk for the whole family among mature podocarp and broadleaf native trees in the Tararua Range.

Two adults and two kids cross a bridge surrounded by trees on the Gentle Annie Track to Mount Holdsworth in Tararua Forest Park.

Gentle Annie Track

Climb up to Mountain House Shelter along one of the most popular half-day trails in Tararua Forest Park.

Image of the Pūtangirua Pinnacles. Taken from a drone, looking down on the large stalagmite structures, with Palliser Bay in the background.

Pūtangirua Pinnacles Ridge Track

Hike to a lookout with sweeping views over the ancient rock formations featured in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’.

Two adults and two children are at the Rocky Lookout, on Mount Holdsworth in the Tararua Forest Park.

Rocky Lookout

An easy trail to a viewing platform with extensive views over Tararua Forest Park and the Wairarapa Plains.

Three people each dressed in pink, green and blue walking in green forest next to a wooden directional sign that reads Totara Loop.

Tōtara Loop

Rewanui Forest ParkAn easy walk that is a good warm up before connecting to the Matai Loop track.

Three people dressed in pink, green and blue walking in a dense forest of tall trees and native ferns.

Matai Loop

Rewanui Forest ParkA bush walk with steep sections, historic Matai trees and plenty of variety along the way.

Three people sitting on a grassy hill dressed in pink, green and blue. They are looking out across the landscape of rolling hills and farmland.

Mt Clyde Track

Rewanui Forest ParkWalk to the highest point in the park and see outstanding views from the Tararua Range to Castlepoint.

A dark red farmhouse surrounded by green farmland and rolling hills in the background.

Exotics Loop

Rewanui Forest ParkEnjoy the forestry side of the park that offers a connecting route from Mt Clyde back to the Access Track.

A person standing on a red swing bridge on the Tauwharenikau Trail in the Wairarapa region.

Tauwharenīkau Trail

A peaceful riverside trail connecting Featherston to Greytown via one of New Zealand’s longest cycle path suspension bridges.