A steep bush walk connecting Lees Grove with Rātā Ridge and Lowry Trig in East Harbour Regional Park.
Lees Grove Track is a well-formed bush track providing one of the main Wainuiomata entrances to the Northern Forest section of East Harbour Regional Park. It begins between 72 and 74 Lees Grove, near the upper end of the street, and climbs westwards to meet the Rātā Ridge Track below Lowry Trig. The track is named after Lees Grove rather than directly after Andrew Lees, although the street itself commemorates the Wainui-o-mata Development Limited bondholder.
The walk starts with a small bridge before entering sheltered native bush. The lower section passes through kawakawa, tree ferns and regenerating forest, while the vegetation gradually changes to beech and kāmahi as the track gains height. The climb becomes noticeably steeper towards the ridge, with several bends and zigzags helping walkers negotiate the hillside.
You can also make this track part of a loop walk. From the junction with Rātā Ridge, walkers can turn towards Lowry Trig, the highest point in the Northern Forest, then descend through Fern Gully Track, emerging at Gardiner Grove before a short street walk back to Lees Grove.The complete Trig Loop is a medium-grade walk of approximately 4.8 kilometres and 1 hour 30 minutes.
Most of the walk is enclosed by forest, so the attraction is primarily the sheltered bush environment rather than continuous views. Lowry Trig provides glimpses towards Wellington Harbour and the Hutt Valley. The track can become slippery after rain, and some upper sections are steep enough to make the descent more difficult than the ascent.
At a glance
Entrance: Between 72 and 74 Lees Grove
To Rātā Ridge: About 40 minutes
Return through Fern Gully: Approximately 4.8 km
Estimated loop time: About 1 hour 30 minutes
Grade: Medium, with steep sections
Highlights: Native forest, tree ferns, mature beech forest and Lowry Trig
Connections: Rātā Ridge Track, Fern Gully Track and the wider Northern Forest network.
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