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.

Trail marker sign for Te Ara Tai Tonga South Trail with directional arrows for Tawa, Colonial Knob and Te Araroa Trail.

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?

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Two people sit on a bench at Rangitoto Lookout.

Te Ara Utiwai

Ngā Ara o RangituhiTe Ara Utiwai trail is a gentle climb to the Rangituhi lookout through native bush. It's an easy walk or a Grade 3 uphill mountain bike trail.

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

Spicer Link

Ngā Ara o RangituhiSpicer Link is an easy walking and mountain biking trail in Porirua. It's family friendly and one of the most popular trails in Ngā Ara o Rangituhi.

Two people sit on the bench at the Rangituhi Lookout.

Rangituhi / Colonial Knob Walkway

Ngā Ara o RangituhiRangituhi/Colonial Knob is a steep climb to the 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 RangituhiChimney Sweep is a fun flowing trail for intermediate riders. The track is a downhill ride via a chimney jump, rock garden feature and a few tight corners.

Dirt pathway surrounded by green tress and moss.

Tumeke

Ngā Ara o RangituhiA downhill mountain bike ride in Porirua 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 The Doctor, a quick and easy one-hour trail near Spicer Botanical Park.

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

Rough Justice

Ngā Ara o RangituhiRough Justice is a walking and mountain biking trail in Ngā Ara o Rangituhi that lives up to its name.

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

Farm Road

Ngā Ara o RangituhiFarm Road is a moderate climb to the Rangituhi summit in Porirua, connecting to popular trails in 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 RangituhiSeven Pines is a trail that winds its way through Ngā Ara o Rangituhi for views over Porirua and beyond.

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

Crash Palace

Ngā Ara o RangituhiCrash Palace is a rutted trail full of tight turns and corners. This mountain bike track in Ngā Ara o Rangituhi is for expert riders only.