Wellington Regional Trails
Sheep graze in a field of grassy hills under a cloudy sky. Kapiti Island is barely visible on the horizon.

A quick uphill climb to phenomenal views over Kāpiti Coast.

Walking time
40 min
Length
503m
Uses
Walking/Running, Horse Riding
Type
Single track
Walking difficulty
Easy: Walking track
Profile

110m climb

-110m descent

110m highest point

Dogs
No
Two sheep stand and stare in a grassy pasture.

Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve is a working farm. Along the way, you may come across livestock. Please leave all gates as you find them.

About the trail

Cairn View Track takes you on an uphill journey to the Cairn Lookout at Whareroa Farm. Enjoy views over the farm, Kāpiti Coast, the Camp MacKay site, and a historic water reservoir. 

The cairn at the lookout was built by the Whareroa Guardians Community Trust. It is dedicated to Whareroa’s tangata whenua — Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Haumia, and Te Āti Awa. It commemorates the ‘saving’ of the farm reserve from private development.

Return back down the hill along the same trail or carry on to the Ti Kouka track. Ti Kouka leads to the Rocks lookout, the highest point on the farm. From here, join the Te Ara Ramaroa track to do a full loop trip (about 3 hours).

Getting there

  • Cairn View track is accessible from halfway along Farm Race Track at Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve in Paekākāriki.
  • There are regular train services from Wellington to the Kāpiti Coast. Timetables are available from Metlink.

Know before you go

  • Get ready using Plan My Walk for track alerts, weather forecasts, trip reviews, and a packing list. Check MetService for an up to date weather report.
  • Check Department of Conservation for alerts or closures before you visit.
  • Summer open hours: 8am to 9pm. Winter open hours: 8am to 6pm.
  • Take warm waterproof clothing, durable footwear, sunscreen, food and water.
  • Toilets are available at the Whareroa Farm car park and at the top of Farm Race Track.
  • This reserve is a working farm, and some trails cross through paddocks with livestock. If you open a gate, please close it. 
  • Dogs are not allowed.
  • Equestrian access through Whareroa Farm is controlled by locked gates. You can pick up a key from the Kāpiti Coast District Council depot on Riverbank Road. A deposit is required.

For more tips and advice before heading out on Wellington’s trails check out our before you go section.

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Four mountain bikers at the top of the Red Tape Track on Whareroa Farm, overlooking Kāpiti Coast and Kapiti Island.

Red Tape Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveIntermediate riders will enjoy Red Tape Track, a downhill mountain bike trail in Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve, with fantastic views of the Kāpiti Coast.

Two people walking up a grassy hill on the Link Track in Whareroa Farm.

Link Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveLink Track is the main uphill trail for walkers and mountain bikers at Whareroa Farm. It connects to many other tracks in the park.

A section of the Farm Race Track in Whereroa Farm. The trail is on a large gravel road through the centre of the farm.

Farm Race Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveFarm Race Track takes you to the centre of the Whareroa Farm trail network on the Kāpiti Coast.

Looking through trees and the view of the ocean and farmland from Forest Loop Walk in Kāpiti Coast.

Forest Loop

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveForest Loop is an easy walk or run through an ancient kohekohe forest with views over Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve and the coastline beyond.

A section of the Coastal Lookout Walk in Whareroa Farm on the Kāpiti Coast. The grassy hills give a view out to Kapiti Island.

Coastal Lookout Walk

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveCoastal Lookout Walk is a half-kilometre walk to find views across the Kāpiti Coast and beyond.

Four cyclists stop to rest by a bush in the early morning sunlight on Red Take Track at Whareroa Farm.

Campbell’s Mill Road

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveCampbell's Mill Road is an easy walk used to gain access to tracks in Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve and is the western entry into the Akatarawa Forest.

The Catchment View Track in Whareroa Farm, a grassy hill that climbs above the farm with views of the Kāpiti Coast.

Catchment View Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveCatchment View Track is a steep, rough and unmown track. It offers great views of the Kāpiti Coast from the top of Whareroa Farm.

Three people ride on horseback on a dirt road.

East Ridge Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveEast Ridge Track is a steep but easy climb to the top of Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve with rewarding ocean views. The trail is suitable for horse riders.

A narrow path along a grassy hillside under a cloudy sky.

Intake Valley Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveIntake Valley is a key connector track for walkers and mountain bikers in the middle of Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve.

Three mountain bikers ride along the Bathtub Track at Whareroa Farm as the sun crosses the horizon.

Bath Tub

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveBath Tub / Cash Flow, is a high-standard mountain biking track offering superb views of Kapiti Island and the Kāpiti Coast.