Walk or bike your way around these Porirua trails

Rangituhi/Colonial Knob Walkway is a steep uphill climb to Te Titiro o Rangituhi (the Rangituhi Lookout). It is a return track with great views, native forest, and stairs covering more than 700 steps.

The fastest and most popular route is there-and-back from the Camp Elsdon car park, following the stairs. To make a loop, head back down to the car park on Te Ara Utiwai or Farm Road. For more of a challenge, climb up to Te Tihi o Rangituhi (Rangituhi Summit). On a clear day, you can see as far as the Inland Kaikoura Range in the South Island and to Taranaki Maunga to the northwest.

Families of all ages enjoy this trail, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. You’ll climb about 1,200 steep steps, navigate narrow pathways across ridgelines, and traverse two swing bridges.

But don’t let that put you off. It’s one of the highlights of Te Araroa Trail. Escarpment runs from Paekākāriki to Pukerua Bay, taking in sweeping views of the spectacular Kāpiti coastline and Kapiti Island. The trail can be walked in either direction, but most choose to walk from north to south.

Heading south, the trail follows the Kāpiti railway line, then veers uphill and across privately-owned farmland. Along the way you’ll climb 220m above sea level. Make sure you take some well-deserved breaks to appreciate the spectacular views.

Te Ara Utiwai is an easy trail that runs from the Camp Elsdon car park to Te Titiro o Rangituhi (the Rangituhi Lookout). You’ll pass through stunning native bush on a gentle climb to the top of the trail.

The first 1.4km is a two-way biking and walking trail. The upper section is a slightly more challenging uphill-only ride. Walkers can travel the entire track in both directions. If you’ve got time, the trail connects with Colonial Knob Walkway to form an 8km half-day walking circuit.

Situated in Whitireia Park on the western side of Porirua Harbour, Te Onepoto Loop is an easy walking option for all ages and abilities.

Walk or ride through the active restoration area for great views out over Onehunga Bay. The well-maintained track offers beaches, meadows, steep trails, and wooded areas.

It takes about 1.5 hours to walk through this popular 6km loop track. Whitireia Park Reserve is also popular for fishing, exploring rock pools, swimming at Onehunga Bay, and kite surfing.

With more than 500 hectares of land, Battle Hill Farm Forest Park features hilly farmland and dense native forest. In 1848 Battle Hill was the location of one of the last battles between Ngāti Toa Māori and early colonial forces in the region.

You can walk or ride one of the three different trails to the top of Battle Hill. Puketiro Loop and Summit Loop are most popular.

Puketiro will see you climb through dense pine plantations and take in views over Pāuatahanui. It’s an intermediate trail suitable for walkers, bikers, and horse riders. Or as its name suggests, Summit Loop involves a climb to the summit of Battle Hill. Here you’ll see great views over the Horokiwi Valley and towards Pāuatahanui Inlet.

Te Ara Piko is an easy, meandering pathway through a nationally important estuary outlooking Pāuatahanui Inlet. It runs along the northern edge of the inlet, through indigenous salt marshes and wetland habitat.

The trail features stretches of boardwalk and bridges, with amazing views of the harbour. And it’s the perfect spot for bird and wildlife watching. The flat, gentle gradient is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies, but help may be needed in some places for wheelchair users.

For a longer journey, you can walk past the colourful Camborne boatsheds. You’ll connect up with Camborne Walkway at the western end of the inlet.