Wellington Regional Trails
Brown and green farm landscape on the Ti Kouka Loop with the ocean and Kapiti Island in the distance.

Climb up Ti Kouka valley, past tī kōuka (cabbage) trees to the Rocks Lookout — the highest point of Whareroa Farm.

Walking time

1 hr 30 min

Length

1.6km

Uses

Walking/Running, Horse Riding

Type

Single track

Walking difficulty

Advanced: Tramping track

Profile

365m highest point

Dogs

No

About the trail

Ti Kouka/Rocks Track is a tramping and horse riding trail with scenic views across Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve.

From the Farm Race Track, climb up the steep ridgeline and take in the views at Ti Kouka Lookout. The track then continues uphill to the Rocks Lookout — the highest point on the farm at 360m elevation. The lookout has 360-degree views over the Akatarawa Valley, Kāpiti Coast, and South Island, and nearby Kapiti Island.

You can complete this trail as a there-and-back journey, or a loop connecting with Te Ara Ramaroa Track. There are several seats and picnic tables along the way to stop for a rest.

Looking west over Whareroa Farm's rolling hills towards Kapiti Island surrounded by deep blue water.

Getting there

  • The trail starts from the lower end of the Farm Race Track, just before the Guardians’ Caravan in Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve, located 3.5km north of Paekākāriki on the Kāpiti Coast.
  • Take the Mackays Crossing exit off State Highway 1 to Queen Elizabeth Park. Parking is available for cars and buses at the entrance to the park.
  • There are regular train services from Wellington to the Kāpiti Coast. Timetables are available from Metlink.
The Ti Kouka loop in Whareroa Farm a grassy trail up a small hill with views of the bush.

Tī kōuka (cabbage) trees at Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve.

Know before you go

  • Check Department of Conservation for alerts or closures before you visit.
  • Get ready using Plan My Walk for track alerts, weather forecasts, trip reviews, and a packing list. For weather forecasts, check MetService.
  • Summer open hours: 8am to 9pm. Winter open hours: 8am to 6pm.
  • Take warm, waterproof clothing, durable footwear, sunscreen, food and water.
  • The track can be muddy after rain. There are many small stream crossings, and good footwear is advised.
  • Toilets are available at the Whareroa Farm car park and the top of Farm Race Track.
  • This reserve is a working farm, and some trails cross through paddocks with livestock. Be respectful, close gates behind you, and don’t bring dogs.
  • Equestrian access through Whareroa Farm is controlled by locked gates. To rent a key, contact Kāpiti Coast District Council. Leave gates as you find them.
  • For more tips and advice before heading out on Wellington’s trails, check out our before you go section.

Looking for more?

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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 this spectacular downhill mountain bike trail in Whareroa Farm, with fantastic views down the valley and out to sea.

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

Link Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveKnown locally as Zig Zag, this is the main uphill track that mountain bikers use to link up to Five Ways Track or Campbell’s Mill Road.

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

Cairn View Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveA quick uphill climb to phenomenal views over Kāpiti Coast.

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 ReserveMake a beeline for the heart of the Whareroa Farm trail network.

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

Forest Loop

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveTake a short, gentle wander through remnant kohekohe forest and soak up views over Queen Elizabeth Park and Kapiti Island.

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 ReserveA short walk to a lookout point with stunning views across 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 ReserveA wide, gentle farm track connecting many Whareroa Farm tracks to the Akatarawa Forest and Mount Wainui.

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 ReserveA steep, rough track with great views from the top of Whareroa Farm.

Three people ride on horseback on a dirt road.

East Ridge Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveA steep climb to the top of Whareroa Farm with rewarding views over the Kāpiti Coast.

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

Intake Valley Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveA key connecting track for walking and mountain biking in the middle of Whareroa Farm.