Wellington Regional Trails
The Te Ara Tai Tonga trail at Ngā Ara o Rangituhi.

An easy walk or ride from Spicer Botanical Park to Spicer Forest Road.

Walking time

45 min

Length

3km

Uses

Walking/Running, Mountain Biking

Type

Shared trail

Walking difficulty

Easiest: Short walk

Mountain Bike Grade

Easy: Grade 2

Profile

254m highest point

Dogs

Yes (on lead)

About the trail

Te Ara Tai Tonga is a shared trail that can be completed in either direction. From the Spicer Botanical Park end, the trail follows a gentle gradient, ideal for biking and walking. It joins up to an old undulating vehicle track and continues past a water reservoir.

Just north of the reservoir, a short steep section links to Chastudon Place in Tawa.

Getting there 

  • Get ready using Plan My Walk by the NZ Mountain Safety Council for track alerts, weather forecasts, trip reviews and a packing list.
  • The trail starts at Spicer Botanical Park in Porirua and ends on Spicer Forest Road. You can also access the trail from the end of Chastudon Place in Tawa
  • There are regular bus and train services to Porirua and the surrounding area. Timetables are available from Metlink.

Know before you go 

  • Bikers must give way to walkers.
  • For tips and advice before heading out on Wellington’s trails check out our before you go section.

Looking for more?

At start of items
Two people sit on a bench at Rangitoto Lookout.

Te Ara Utiwai

Ngā Ara o RangituhiThe Te Ara Utiwai trail in Porirua is a gentle climb to Te Titiro o Rangituhi (Rangituhi lookout) through native bush.

An adult walks with a child riding a tricycle along a nature trail.

Spicer Link

Ngā Ara o RangituhiOnly a few minutes from Porirua, an easy, family-friendly trail weaves through the bush.

Rangituhi / Colonial Knob Walkway

Ngā Ara o RangituhiA steep climb to Rangituhi Lookout with views over Porirua and beyond.

A section of the Chimney Sweep trail in Ngā Ara o Rangituhi. For mountain bikers only, the dirt track winds down a grassy hill overlooking Porirua.

Chimney Sweep

Ngā Ara o RangituhiA sweeping downhill trail with a chimney jump and other fun features.

Dirt pathway surrounded by green tress and moss.

Tumeke

Ngā Ara o RangituhiA ‘tumeke’ downhill ride with options for upping the ante.

The Doctor trail in Ngā Ara o Rangituhi. The gravel and clay trail winds through bush with pine needles covering the ground.

The Doctor

Ngā Ara o RangituhiExplore exotic native forest and open landscapes on this quick and easy one-hour trail.

A section of the Rough Justice mountain bike track on Ngā Ara o Rangituhi, in Porirua.

Rough Justice

Ngā Ara o RangituhiA bumpy mountain biking trail that lives up to its name.

Two people walk up a hill on Farm Road to Rangituhi Summit.

Farm Road

Ngā Ara o RangituhiClimb up to Rangituhi Summit for incredible views, or connect to other popular trails within Ngā Ara o Rangituhi.

A person walks away from the camera down a grassy hill on the Seven Pines track in Ngā Ara o Rangituhi. In the background are Porirua and Pāuatahanui Inlet.

Seven Pines

Ngā Ara o RangituhiA trail that winds its way through Colonial Knob and Porirua Scenic Reserves.

Looking down Ngā Ara o Rangituhi mountain biking/walking trails.

Crash Palace

Ngā Ara o RangituhiExpert riders can smash their way down this bumpy trail full of tight turns and corners.