Wellington Regional Trails
A drone shot of two adults and two kids standing on a bridge over a river in Tararua Forest Park.

An easy walk for the whole family among mature podocarp and broadleaf native trees in the Tararua Range.

Walking time

1 hr

Length

3.6km

Uses

Walking/Running

Type

Single track

Walking difficulty

Easy: Walking track

Profile

20m climb

-20m descent

348m highest point

Dogs

Yes (on lead)
The native bush surrounding the path in the Donnelly FLat loop walk.

About the trail

This short flat trail is suitable for the whole family. It passes through some of the best mixed podocarp and broadleaf forests in the Tararua Range. You’ll see rimu, miro and northern rata, along with kamahi, red beech, and silver beech.

There’s access to the Atiwhakatu Stream along the way, as well as a picnic area and campsite. From the campsite, the track continues to Atiwhakatu Track junction. You can loop back to the car park via Gentle Annie Track.

A child stands on rocks by the Te Whakatūrākau Stream on the Donnelly flat loop walk.

Looking for more?

Two people are walking up the steps in front of the Castlepoint Lighthouse in the Wairarapa region.

Castlepoint Lighthouse Walk

In a region full of wonderful vistas, this short trail along a wild, rugged coastline leads to one of the most recognisable landmarks in New Zealand.

Two adults and two kids cross a bridge surrounded by trees on the Gentle Annie Track to Mount Holdsworth in Tararua Forest Park.

Gentle Annie Track

Climb up to Mountain House Shelter along one of the most popular half-day trails in Tararua Forest Park.

A person walking along a rocky canyon at the Putangirua Pinnacles track in the Wairarapa.

Putangirua Pinnacles Track

Get up close and personal with ancient rock formations that are featured in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’.

Two adults and two children are at the Rocky Lookout, on Mount Holdsworth in the Tararua Forest Park.

Rocky Lookout

An easy trail to a viewing platform with extensive views over Tararua Forest Park and the Wairarapa Plains.

A person walking along a swing bridge on the Atiwhakatu track in Tararua Forest Park.

Atiwhakatu Track

Walk alongside the Atiwhakatu River and return the same day, or rest at Atiwhakatu Hut overnight.

A person in a white teeshirt and a black and brown dog are standing on a hillside overlooking a coastal town, the harbour and a distant mountain range.

Te Whiti Riser

A popular all-weather walking and mountain biking track overlooking Wainuiomata and Lower Hutt.

3 people walking along a boardwalk looking at the native trees on the Kowhai Street Track to Butterfly Creek.

Kowhai Street Track

East Harbour Regional ParkA zigzag trail with options for exploring more of the East Harbour Regional Park, including the popular Butterfly Creek picnic area and views over Wellington Harbour.

A dirt path cuts through green grass and hay paddocks on the Greytown to Woodside trail.

Greytown to Woodside Trail

The original Greytown to Woodside railway line provides a beautiful and family-friendly walking path.

2 adults and 2 children bike alongside the Hutt River.

Hutt River Trail

Follow the picturesque Hutt River all the way from Petone to Upper Hutt on this easy, well-maintained trail.

Four people ride bicycles on a path in Queen Elizabeth Regional Park in the Paraparaumu, New Zealand surrounded by nature.

Coast 35

Coast 35 connects Paekākāriki and Ōtaki through an off-road shared trail that runs parallel with the Kāpiti Expressway.