Wellington Regional Trails
The Pākuratahi River in Kaitoke Regional Park.

Enjoy this family-friendly trail linking Kaitoke Regional Park to Pākuratahi Forks.

Walking time

40 min return

Length

1.1km

Uses

Walking/Running

Type

Single track

Walking difficulty

Easiest: Short walk

Profile

215m highest point

Dogs

Yes (on lead)
A green fern frond sits against a mossy tree.
The lush green native bush inside Kaitoke Regional Park.
People walking along one of the two swing bridges over the river amongst trees in Kaitoke Regional Park.
A family looking at a large tree inside Kaitoke Regional Park.

About the trail

Pākuratahi River Walk provides an easy link between the Kaitoke Regional Park campground and Pākuratahi Forks. You’ll cross the river over a pedestrian bridge and wind your way through stunning mixed podocarp and ancient broadleaf forest.

At the trail's end, Pākuratahi Forks is home to the magical Rivendell film location from the ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Film trilogy, including a replica Elvish Archway. For a longer walk, you can continue onto Swingbridge Track for a loop trail.

The gentle waters of the Pākuratahi River are a hotspot for visitors and are perfect for cooling off after enjoying the trail.

A large minument sits between trees and bush on the Kaitoke regional park trail.

At the trail's end, Pākuratahi Forks is home to the magical Rivendell film location from the ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Film trilogy, including a replica Elvish Archway.

Getting there

  • You can access the trail from the campground at Kaitoke Regional Park.
  • If you’re planning to use the Waterworks Road entrance, you’ll need to drive.
  • There are regular bus and train services to Upper Hutt and Te Marua. Timetables are available on Metlink.

Know before you go

  • Get ready using Plan My Walk by the NZ Mountain Safety Council for track alerts, weather forecasts, trip reviews, and a packing list.
  • For more tips and advice before heading out on Wellington’s trails check out our before you go section.

Looking for more?

A large suspension bridge over a river surrounded by Native bush and trees in the Kaitoke Regional Park.

Swingbridge Track

Kaitoke Regional ParkCross an exhilarating swing bridge and take in stunning views of the Hutt River gorge.

Three people are on a wooden bridge waving on Tane's Track, a walking trail in Upper Hutt, Hutt Valley. They are surrounded by lush greenery.

Tane’s Track

Tunnel GullyAn easy loop that takes in native forests, waterfalls, and historic Remutaka railway sites.

A small wooden bridge over a river on the Gums Loop trail in Wainuiomata Park.

Gums Loop Walk

Take a relaxing walk among the gums and native trees of the Gums Loop Walk. There are swimming holes to enjoy and you can listen for the kārearea/bush falcons as they call overhead.

A birdseye view of Gums Loop hiking train in Wainuiomata Park, New Zeland.

Lower Dam Walk

Pack a picnic and enjoy a relaxing stroll to a historic lower dam and picturesque wetland.

Three people standing on top of Birchville Dam. Green trees and bushes surround them.

Cannon Point Walkway

Zigzag through the hills north of Upper Hutt to the historic Birchville Dam.

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.

Two people walk along Bus Barn Track in East Harbour Regional Park during golden hour.

Bus Barn Track

East Harbour Regional ParkAn easy trail through mature beech forest and stunning kahikatea trees.

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.

The people walk along a wide gravel path passing the entrance sign to East Harbour Regional Park.

Kererū Track

East Harbour Regional ParkSee native kererū and orchids while enjoying views over Wellington from the hills above Days Bay.

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.