Wellington Regional Trails

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

Walking time

3 hr

Length

7.7km

Uses

Walking/Running, Mountain Biking

Type

Single track

Walking difficulty

Easy: Walking track

Mountain Bike Grade

Intermediate: Grade 3

Profile

304m climb

341m highest point

Dogs

Yes (on lead)

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About the trail

The walk to Birchville Dam is a popular intermediate-level trail in the Akatarawa Forest.

From Tulsa Park, zigzag uphill through private land and Akatarawa Forest to the summit. You’ll be rewarded with spectacular views over the Hutt Valley.

The trail continues along old forestry roads to the north and descends to the historic Birchville Dam. Built in 1929, the dam supplied water to Upper Hutt until 1954.

From the dam, walk 1 kilometre downstream and over a suspension bridge to the end of the trail.

a birds-eye view of four people walking across a swing bridge surrounded by lush green forest on the Cannon Point Walkway in Upper Hutt, New Zealand.
  • You can start or finish the trail from Tulsa Park or Bridge Road in Upper Hutt:
    • To start at Tulsa Park drive on State Highway 2 to Upper Hutt, turn onto Totara Park Road and continue to the end of the street.
    • To start at Bridge Road, drive on State Highway 2 to Brown Owl, Upper Hutt. Turn onto Akatarawa Road and continue until you see the signpost for Bridge Street. The car park is about halfway along Bridge Road. Look out for the Cannon Point Walkway signs.
  • There are regular bus and train services to Upper Hutt. Timetables are available from Metlink.

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