Top Trails in Wairarapa

Get up close and personal with the spellbinding ancient rock formations at Putangirua Pinnacles. Located on the Wairarapa coastline near Cape Palliser, these large stalagmite structures are featured in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. You might recall seeing them as Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli rode along the Dimholt Road to meet the Army of the Dead. 

The track takes you on a 90-minute return trip, starting from the car park and leading up the Pinnacles Ridge Track to the lookout where you’ll find views across the pinnacle formations. This walk is best done in the early morning to avoid the heat of the day and to enjoy the sight of the sunshine coming through the rock formations.

Take in breathtaking views over the Wairarapa coast, fossick for fossil shells on the beach below, and revel in the history of one of the country’s last remaining beam lighthouses built in 1913. 

The Castlepoint Lighthouse Walk is short and well-paved, though you need to cross the beach to access it. It is also exposed to the elements, so take warm, waterproof clothing and sun protection. After the lookouts, you can walk down a set of stairs and along the cliffs. Take care around cliff edges. You may even encounter a colony of fur seals sunbathing in the reserve, but be sure to keep your distance: these sometimes grumpy creatures need their space. Visit during the day for the views, or at night to see the lighthouse come alive.

Rewanui Forest Park is a series of loop walks through a 334-hectare farm, taking in native bush and pine forest. It’s a great place to stop and stretch your legs on your way to or from Castlepoint or Riversdale beach (it’s only 20 minutes from Masterton). 

There is a range of tracks to choose from, of varying lengths and difficulty. The loops through the native bush are designed to visit as many of the big trees as possible. The Tōtara Loop takes approximately 1 hour to complete, and passes some very old tōtara, hīnau and rewarewa trees. The grade is easy, but the surface is rough in places. The Matai Loop takes 1 hour and 45 minutes and is marked in yellow. This loop is fairly steep and requires moderate fitness and agility. The Mt Clyde Track offers spectacular views across the Wairarapa, and involves a 300 metre climb (2 hours return).

A scenic route along the original railway line between Greytown and Woodside — this trail is family-friendly, and is buggy and wheelchair accessible. The wide limestone pathway connects the historic Woodside Railway Station to Greytown. It weaves through an avenue of mature oak trees and offers great views of the Tararua Ranges and Gladstone Hills. 

The Woodside Railway Station is still in operation, so a nice day trip might involve catching a train from Wellington with your bike. Cycle through to Greytown for lunch, then cycle back and hop aboard a train back to the city. For walkers, the Greytown to Woodside trail is 4.7 kilometres long and will take around 1 hour and 40 minutes. Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash. If you’d like a longer ride, link the route with the 11-kilometre Tauwharenīkau Trail, which starts in Featherston.

Add this one to your bucket list. The Rail Trail is one of four sections along the iconic Remutaka Cycle Trail, one of New Zealand’s Great Rides. The full Great Ride is a whopping 122 kilometres of varied terrain, but the Remutaka Rail Trail section is the most popular and family-friendly. 

Starting at Cross Creek in the Wairarapa Valley, you’ll climb deep into the Remutaka Ranges along a grade 3 mountain biking track. Cross the impressive Siberia Gully via the 90-metre swing bridge and pass through a historic 500-metre railway tunnel before reaching the summit. Carry on to Maymorn to complete the 25-kilometre section, where you can arrange a shuttle provider to meet you or make a U-turn to head back to the Wairarapa.

Containing a stunning remnant kahikatea swamp forest, Fensham Reserve is a great place for a bush walk. This 48-hectare native bush reserve is a few minutes’ drive from Carterton and provides a perfect spot for families and those looking to stretch their legs. 

The tracks take you through a variety of terrain: along wetland boardwalks, through native bush and up to a hilltop with views of rolling farmland. You’re likely to spot birds like tūī and pīwakawaka, and podocarp trees along the way (some of the trees are believed to be between 400 and 700 years old). Make sure to pack a picnic for one of the resting spots along the way. There is also a picnic table near the second entrance off Upper Belvedere Road.

The Rocky Lookout is a short, easy walk in Tararua Forest Park. The trail leads to a viewing platform that has sweeping views of the surrounding area, including Powell and Jumbo Huts, Mount Holdsworth, Mitre Flats, Atiwhakatu Valley, and the Wairarapa Plains. The trail starts on Donnelly Flat Loop Walk. From there, follow the well-graded Gentle Annie Track until you see the signposted trail for Rocky Lookout. The trip from the turn-off to the viewing platform is just under 2km. 

Looking for something a little bigger? Grab a group of friends and head out on a multi-day adventure through Wairarapa’s rugged mountains. The iconic Mount Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit is a two to three-day tramp through beech-podocarp forest to the top of the Tararua Range. From the top of Mount Holdsworth, enjoy 360-degree views over Wellington and the Wairarapa Plains. 

With more than 1,000 metres of vertical ascent over the 22km circuit, this is a challenging hike with a number of highly exposed ridge sections. It is a popular route in summer, and the huts will require booking. In winter, snow covers the tops, so having the right gear is essential. Plan your trip and always check the weather before heading out.