Wellington Regional Trails
The Pākuratahi River in Kaitoke Regional Park.

Enjoy this family-friendly trail linking Kaitoke Regional Park to Pākuratahi Forks.

Walking time
40 min return
Length
1.1km
Uses
Walking/Running
Type
Single track
Walking difficulty
Easiest: Short walk
Profile

215m highest point

Dogs
Yes (on lead)
A green fern frond sits against a mossy tree.
The lush green native bush inside Kaitoke Regional Park.
People walking along one of the two swing bridges over the river amongst trees in Kaitoke Regional Park.
A family looking at a large tree inside Kaitoke Regional Park.

About the trail

Pākuratahi River Walk provides an easy link between the Kaitoke Regional Park campground and Pākuratahi Forks. You’ll cross the river over a pedestrian bridge and wind your way through stunning mixed podocarp and ancient broadleaf forest.

At the trail's end, Pākuratahi Forks is home to the magical Rivendell film location from the ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Film trilogy, including a replica Elvish Archway. For a longer walk, you can continue onto Swingbridge Track for a loop trail.

The gentle waters of the Pākuratahi River are a hotspot for visitors and are perfect for cooling off after enjoying the trail.

A large minument sits between trees and bush on the Kaitoke regional park trail.

At the trail's end, Pākuratahi Forks is home to the magical Rivendell film location from the ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Film trilogy, including a replica Elvish Archway.

Getting there

  • You can access the trail from the campground at Kaitoke Regional Park.
  • If you’re planning to use the Waterworks Road entrance, you’ll need to drive.
  • There are regular bus and train services to Upper Hutt and Te Marua. Timetables are available on Metlink.

Know before you go

  • Get ready using Plan My Walk by the NZ Mountain Safety Council for track alerts, weather forecasts, trip reviews, and a packing list.
  • For more tips and advice before heading out on Wellington’s trails check out our before you go section.

Looking for more?

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People walking along one of the two swing bridges over the river amongst trees in Kaitoke Regional Park.

Swingbridge Track

Kaitoke Regional ParkThe Swingbridge Track is a family-friendly 2-kilometre (1-hour return) loop walk. The area was the Rivendell film location from Lord of the Rings.

Three people are on a wooden bridge waving on Tane's Track, a walking trail in Upper Hutt, Hutt Valley. They are surrounded by lush greenery.

Tane’s Track

Tunnel GullyHidden in the Hutt Valley, Tane’s Track is a short, easy walking trail that takes in native forests, waterfalls, and historic Remutaka railway sites.

Trees and pathway on Gums Loop Walk.

Gums Loop Walk

A relaxing walk among the gums and native trees in Wainuiomata Recreation Area. There are swimming holes to enjoy and you can listen for the bush falcons overhead.

A birdseye view of Gums Loop hiking train in Wainuiomata Park, New Zeland.

Lower Dam Walk

Hidden in the hills of Lower Hutt, find the Lower Dam Walk. Pack a picnic and enjoy a relaxing stroll to a historic lower dam and picturesque wetland.

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

Cannon Point Walkway

Cannon Point Walkway is an easy walk to Birchville Dam on a well-formed track in the Akatarawa Forest.

A person in a white teeshirt and a black and brown dog are standing on a hillside overlooking a coastal town, the harbour and a distant mountain range.

Te Whiti Riser

Te Whiti Riser is a popular, all-weather walking and mountain biking track, with extensive views over Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt and Wellington Harbour.

A section of the Cheviot Road Track in Eastbourne. There is mature native bush with plenty of shade.

Cheviot Road Track

East Harbour Regional ParkCheviot Road track is a steep one-hour walk through mature native bush, with views over Lowry Bay in East Harbour Regional Park.

Howard Road trail, a walk through native bush with views of the Wellington Harbour.

Howard Road Track

East Harbour Regional ParkClimb up Mount Lowry on the Howard Road Track while stopping off at two lookouts along the way in East Harbour Regional Park.

Kāeaea Track Summit view looks out across Wellington Harbour, with Matiu/Somes Island on the right and Mākaro/Ward Island on the left. Behind Mākaro, the Miramar peninsula.

MacKenzie Road Track

East Harbour Regional ParkMacKenzie Road Track has steep steps and a zigzag trail to meet up with Main Ridge Track in East Harbour Regional Park.

Two people walk along Bus Barn Track in East Harbour Regional Park during golden hour.

Bus Barn Track

East Harbour Regional ParkBus Barn Track is an easy trail in Eastbourne through mature beech forest and stunning kahikatea trees. Connect to the popular Butterfly Creek picnic area.