Wainuiomata Walks & Tracks

Wainuiomata stands as an idyllic destination for short bush walks and tramping adventures.

Orongorongo Track Entrance - 2024 - © wainuiomata.net

Visit Wainuiomata and embark on a walk through rainforests of podocarp and beech that carpet hills and valleys.  See the Remutaka Forest Park, Wainuiomata Regional Park, and the southern coastline. Or trek over forested hills between Wainuiomata and Eastbourne and the Hutt Valley.

The tracks listed below are maintained by Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC). However, there are also numerous unofficial tracks not on this page.

Baring Head Loop

Baring Head Loop is a 6.6-kilometer loop track close to Wainuiomata. Generally regarded as moderately challenging, it typically takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes to finish. This is a leisurely walk that offers solitude amongst bird song and native bush. Dogs are not allowed on this walk.

Big Bend Track

The Big Bend Track is a 6.8-kilometer round trip trail close to Wainuiomata. Regarded as moderately challenging, it usually takes about 2 hours to finish. It’s ideal for a hiking or camping. It offers a secluded experience with few encounters with others. Dogs need to be leashed.

Butcher Track

Butcher Track is 4.8-kilometer track near Wainuiomata. It is considered a  challenging walk that takes around 2 hours to complete. Dogs must be leashed.

Catchpool Loop Walk

Catchpool Loop Walk- 2024 - © wainuiomata.netThe Catchpool Loop Walk offers a scenic journey through a diverse podocarp forest. It’s a great introduction to the Remutaka Forest Park and is ideal for family day outings, complete with picnic spots. Completing the walk at a relaxed pace usually takes about 40 minutes.

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Five Mile Loop Track

Five Mile Loop Track - 2024 - © wainuiomata.netThe Five Mile Loop Track is a 3.9-km loop track near Wainuiomata. Considered an easy walk, it takes about 1 hour to traverse and connects to other tracks for the 30 minute return. It offers moments of solitude despite being popular. Dogs must be leashed.

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Gums Loop Walk

Gums Loop Walk - 2024 - © wainuiomata.netGums Loop Track is an easy 3.1-kilometer loop trail in Wainuiomata. It typically takes about 40 minutes to finish. Around half the walk is a non-public sealed road and path suitable for children even prams. There are a number of swimming areas onroute and a swing bridge that spans the Wainuiomata River. Dogs must be leashed.

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Kereru Road Track

Kereru Road Track is a 1.8-km round trip walk in Wainuiomata. It’s considered a moderate walk that takes about 50 minutes to complete.

Korimako Road Track

Korimako Road Track is a 2.4-km round trip walk in Wainuiomata. It’s a moderately walk that usually taking around 1 hour and 20 minutes to finish. It’s a popular walk for both runners and walkers.

Lower Dam Walk

Reservoir Road & Lower Dam Walk in WainuiomataLower Dam Walk is a one hour 3.2km easy walk from the Reservoir Road to the Lower Dam return. Nearby is a wetlands and water museum. The walk is also suitable for bikes and wheelchairs.

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Main Ridge Track

Main Ridge Track Signs - 2024 - © wainuiomata.netMain Ridge Track is a 2.5 hour walks from Wainuiomata Lookout to Days Bay on the coast of Wellington Harbour. It takes you through podocarp and beech forests with views below through the trees.

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McKerrow Track

Sign for McKerrow Track - 2024 - © wainuiomata.netThe Mt McKerrow Track spans 14.3 kilometers and is located in Wainuiomata. It is a challenging route and takes about 5 and a half hours to complete. The track offers seclusion and minimal encounters with other hikers. Dogs are not permitted on this track.

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Middle Ridge Track

Middle Ridge Track- 2024 - © wainuiomata.netMiddle Ridge Track is a leisurely 1-hour return walking track that seamlessly connects with two well-frequented tracks in the picturesque Catchpool Valley. Nestled within this serene valley, the track spans 3.2 kilometers and brings you back along the same path.

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Mt Matthews Track

The Mt Mathews Track, spanning 7.7 kilometers, is located in Wainuiomata. It is a challenging route, taking around 12 hours for a return trip. The track is steep near the peak, offering amazing views as the mountain is the highest in the Remutaka range.

Nikau Creek Track

Nikau Track Sign - 2024 - © wainuiomata.net

Nikau Creek Track branches off Gums Loop Walk and follows the course of Nikau Creek. This track offers solitude within a 30-minute round-trip journey that takes you through lush temperate rainforest alongside Nikau Creek.

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Orongorongo Track

Orongorongo Track- 2024 - © wainuiomata.netThe Ōrongorongo Track is a popular walking track in the Wellington region, acting as the main access point to the picturesque Remutaka Forest Park. Spanning 10 kilometers, this moderately challenging track typically requires about 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete in one direction.

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Rata Ridge Track

Rata Ridge Track EntranceThe Rata Ridge Track, a moderately challenging 13.5-kilometer loop walk, usually takes about 4 hours and 15 minutes to complete. Known for its tranquil setting, it provides a chance for a peaceful walk with few encounters with others. You are welcome to bring dogs along, provided they are on a leash.

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Sledge Track

Sledge Track Loop - 2024 - © wainuiomata.netSledge Track (round trip takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes), winds its way through untouched native bush, and traverses a historical logging route alongside rejuvenating forest adjacent to Sledge Track Creek. This scenic trail leads to a lookout point offering panoramic views of the Wainuiomata Valley before circling back.”

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Tana Umaga Track

Tana Umaga Track - 2024 - © wainuiomata.netThe Tana Umaga Track is a challenging but short walk (2.40 km) that provides pleasant views of Lower Dam and the upper Wainuiomata River valley. It’s a loop walk that combines with Sledge Track.

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Whakanui Track

Sign: Whakanui, Mt McKerrow, Big BendThe Whakanui Track covers a 17.1-kilometer round trip in Wainuiomata. It presents a challenging path that typically requires around 7 hours to complete. Encounters with other hikers along this track are infrequent. While dogs are permitted, they must be leashed.

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Unofficial Tracks

Mill to Moness Track - 2024 - © wainuiomata.netNumerous old tracks, though abandoned or rerouted, still remain. While they receive little to no maintenance, it can take a long time for the bush to fully reclaim them. This section lists several unofficial tracks that you can still navigate, but you walk them at your own risk.

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Articles on Wainuiomata tracks and walks

View of the ECNZ Power Pylon Track

Pylons near the top of Wainuiomata Hill show the location of the ECNZ Power Pylon Track where you can walk from Seaview to Whitemans Valley.

Ultimate Pool in Wainuiomata

Ultimate Pool as the name suggests, is considered by many to be the best natural swimming hole in Wainuiomata.

View from Bivy Track

View of lower slopes near Mt McKerrow, as seen from Bivy Track. This track starts or finishes at Scoles Creek Track and Camp Wainui.

View from Spear Cut Track

View from Spear Cut Track of Reservoir Valley in Wainuiomata. Sunny Grove is hidden below the hill to the right.

Sledge Track Loop

Sledge Track Loop is a short walk option from the larger Sledge Track. It starts and ends at Mackay Cottage.

The History of Gums Loop Meadow

Gums Loop Meadow is essentially where Gums Loop Walk derives its name. The meadow contains eucalyptus trees.

View of McKerrow Track

View of lush forest on the McKerrow Track. The track follows a ridge and offers some great views of Wainuiomata and Wellington below.

Hine River?

A misspelling on this sign says ‘Hine River’ when it should say ‘Hine Road’. The river that flows along Hine Road is the Wainuiomata River.

End of the Old Nikau Track

The aged bench is situated towards the conclusion of the Old Nikau Creek Trail. Beneath it lies a geocache container.

Gums Loop Meadow in 2024

Looking at Gums Loop Meadow located on Gums Loop Walk in the Wainuiomata Regional Park. The meadow was once farmland.

Nikau Track View

At the end of Nikau Creek Track are two wooden bench seats. The track is an easy 30 minute walk offering views of Nikau Creek.

Orongorongo Track Entrance

The Orongorongo Track entrance is quite elaborate compared to other walks. However, this entrance is also used for other tracks.

Middle Ridge Track & Orongorongo Track

The start of the Middle Ridge Track also connects to the Orongorongo Track in Catchpool Valley, Wainuiomata.

Whakanui Track Entrance

Most people walking on the Whakanui Track will start at the top of Sunny Grove. But the track actually starts just above Sinclair Cemetery.

Whakanui Track Sign

Looking at a sign on the Whakanui Track indicating the direction of the track as well as other tracks. In view is Skerretts Creek.

Reservoir Road Wainuiomata

Walking along Reservoir Road, a segment of the Gums Loop Walk, is a vehicle-free experience open to the public.

Wetlands Near Gums Loop Meadow

Pre-settlements and a huge earthquake in 1855, much of the valley floor in Wainuiomata was wetlands or swamp.

Gums Loop Track at Wainuiomata Regional Park video

The Gums Loop track at Wainuiomata Regional Park is an easy track walk at any time of the year being mostly flat.

Super Plus Mountain Bike Track

Super Plus presents a thrilling, rapid-paced mountain bike trail with berms, doubles, and tables. Progressing downward from the top of the Wainuiomata Hill.

Wainuiomata: The valley with a whole lot of heart

This promotional video of Wainuiomata, made in 2018. showcases the landscape, outdoor adventure, and the welcoming vibe of Wainuiomata.

Nikau Creek Valley (2009)

Looking at the valley that contains Nikau Creek and the Nikau Creek Track, (circa 2009). This is where the Whakanui Track once traversed.

Gums Loop in 2009

Pictured is a meadow on the Gums Loop Track in the year 2009. Gums Loop Track has existed as a track since the 1880s.

Clay Ridge in Remutaka Forest Park

View of Clay Ridge in Remutaka Forest Park. Clay Ridge can be reached by taking the Clay Ridge Track. Initially the walk is easy.

Gums Loop in 1989

Pictured is Gums Loop in 1989. The grass was greener in that year as the trees were younger and let in more light.

McKerrow Track View circa 1989

Pictured is a view that opens up from the McKerrow Track, circa 1989. Looking out toward Wellington with the harbour in view.

Whakanui Track View circa 1989

Pictured is a view toward Wellington from the Whakanui Track in 1989. In view is the valley where Coast Road is located.

Top of Sunny Grove in 1988

Gazing down on Sunny Grove from the Mount Crowther Track in 1988, the firebreak and track behind the odd-numbered houses

First Track to Wainui (1845)

A map from 1848 of the Hutt Valley showing the first track to Wainuiomata in a location different from the present-day Wainuiomata Road.

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