Wellington Regional Trails

Reward your steep climb up several hundred steps with views over Porirua and beyond.

Length

1.6km

Uses

Walking/Running

Walking difficulty

Intermediate: Easier tramping track

Profile

310m climb

347m highest point

Dogs

No

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About the trail

Rangituhi/Colonial Knob encompasses 110 hectares of scenic reserve, just a few minutes from Porirua city centre. There are three possible routes offering loop walks, so depending on your time, you can spend three to five hours there.

The more scenic route, beginning at the Broken Hill Road car park, takes you past the man-made lakes which once supplied water to Porirua Hospital and through Kohekohe Forest.

The high point, Mount Rangituhi, rises 468m west of Porirua City. On a clear day, you have views of the Inland Kaikoura Range in the South Island to Mount Taranaki in the northwest. Just below is Porirua Harbour (a unique drowned river valley) stretching out towards Paremata and the Pāuatahanui Inlet.

Two people are walking upwards along a grassy incline. The figures are silhouetted with a pale blue sky behind them.
  • The trail starts from Camp Elsdon car park and can be completed in both directions.
  • The summit can be accessed from Te Ara Utiwai trail or from Farm Road.
  • There are regular bus and train services to Porirua and the surrounding area. Timetables are available fromMetlink.