RIMUTAKA CYCLE TRAIL RIMUTAKA PETONE ORONGORONGO RIMUTAKA 2-3 DAYS 115km Cycle Trail Trail Info Summit Tunnel © Caleb Smith BELOW LEFT: Caspian terns © Rod Morris, Department of Conservation BELOW RIGHT: Seal Colony at Cape Palliser © Destination Wairarapa 2-3 Days Starting on Wellington’s doorstep, this trail winds the Rimutaka Rail Trail, one of the most 115km through the Rimutaka Ranges to the Wairarapa popular and historic trails in the region. Valley and the mouth of the Orongorongo River. After emerging in the Wairarapa, famous for vineyards and sheep farming, TRAIL GRADES: the trail follows a country road past rom the head of Wellington large river and great swimming spots to PETONE FORESHORE TO Lake Wairarapa to Ocean Beach. The Harbour, the Rimutaka Cycle cool off on a hot summer’s day as the MAYMORN - GRADE 2 (EASY). fi nal section is the shortest, but also 35km trail with an easy grade. Trail cuts through the trail gradually climbs to the head of the F the most adventurous. Aptly named The MAYMORN TO CROSS CREEK bush- clad Rimutaka Mountain Range, Hutt Valley. Wild Coast, it skirts around Turakirae - GRADE 2-3 (EASY TO passing through tunnels on an old INTERMEDIATE) 25km into New Beyond the valley the trail enters the Head, where the Rimutaka Range rail trail, and skirting around the wild Zealand’s bush-clad past. Tunnel Gully area in the Pakuratahi dives into the pounding Pacifi c Ocean. southern coast. CROSS CREEK TO OCEAN BEACH - Forest on what was once the main The trail then runs west to the mouth GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) The fi rst stage is an easy riverside cycle railway line between Wellington and the of the Orongorongo River where the 36km on-road ride alongside Lake path called the Hutt River Trail. There are Wairarapa. Riders will then cross the Wainuiomata Coast Rd provides a road Wairarapa and farmland. plenty of scenic picnic areas beside this northern end of the Rimutaka Range on link back to the city of Wellington. OCEAN BEACH TO ORONGORONG0 RIVER MOUTH GRADE 3-4 LOOK OUT FOR... (INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED) An 18km adventurous ride along the Wairarapa Moana Wetlands Turakirae Head remote and exposed south coast. MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Heading towards the coast on the Cross The southernmost point of the trail is Onoke and the surrounding reserves, The areas between Tunnel Gully Creek to Ocean Beach section of the this wetland is home to indigenous and Turakirae Head, which has the unique and Cross Creek and around the trail is Lake migratory waterbirds including banded geological south coast are remote and have Onoke, part of dotterel, Caspian tern, bar-tailed godwit formation of little or no cell phone coverage. the Wairarapa and the pied stilt. raised beaches. Moana Wetlands The headland is DRINKING WATER: Carry enough The area is a historically productive food Park. Comprising home to a colony water and food for your trip, as after and material resource for local Maori, the beds of lakes of up to 500 fur and a place of spiritual importance. the fi rst section there are no shops. Wairarapa and seals. 68 Petone Maymorn Cross Creek Ocean Beach Orongorongo RIMUTAKA CYCLE TRAIL RIMUTAKA 35km 25km 36km 18km © AA Traveller 2015 1 2 Kaitoke Te Marua Harcourt Park 58 2 2 MAYMORN Tunnel Featherston Maoribank Gully Rimutaka Rail Trail Porirua UPPER HUTT Silverstream Bridge 2 Summit Tunnel MAP LEGEND 1 Hutt River Trail 53 CROSS CREEK open section Hutt River busy road section LOWER start / fi nish point PETONE HUTT Lake Wairarapa e point of interest g d n oa Wellington a R i-SITE Visitor Wainuiomata e R k Centre a a Waituna Cottage L Harbour k a n t r town u e m t Eastbourne i s R e café/restaurant W River ahanga Ruam toilets car park r CORNER CREEK ive accommodation R Lake n go Ocean Beach camping ro Onoke o Lake Ferry shelter o ng Or ORONGORONGO Palliser Bay 1 state highway Turakirae Head “The Rimutaka Cycle Trail is a fantastic way to Rowena’s City Lodge explore the landscapes and history of the Wellington • 5min to Courtenay Pl, Te Papa, region. The trail terrain is varied, without being stadium, central city too challenging, and takes you through bush, • Camp sites available • Free off-street parking open countryside and rugged coastline, for an • Tariff: $17-$80 unforgettable cycling journey - all on the doorstep of (1-2 persons) Secure Bike Lock-up the capital city.” Jonathan Kennett 115 Brougham St, Mt Victoria, Wellington Ph/Fax: 04 385 7872 www.wellingtonbackpackers.co.nz Wellington City Reservations: 0800 80 14 14 after Duke of Wellington, British military hero • on SH 1 UPPER HUTT ASURE 83 By The Sea Motor Lodge WELLINGTON’S 83 The Esplanade, Petone, Lower Hutt KIWI HOLIDAY PARK P: 04 569 8121 Reservations Freephone: 0800 500 757 E: [email protected] • www.83bythesea.co.nz 10 MINUTES TO FERRY Stay and start the Rimutaka Cycle Trail at Petone Beach • Cafés & restaurants 5-minute walk • 10km to Interisland Ferries • Supermarket 5 minutes Gateway to the south... e. [email protected] • Free parking for cars, vans, trailers • Power sites $22 (sgl), $40 (dbl), extra $16, child $10 45 Akatarawa Rd, • Family Cabins $70 (dbl), extra $15, child $10 Upper Hutt • Long-stay parking by arrangement p. 04 526 7400 • ECO Cabins $80 (dbl), extra $15, child $10 • Bike-friendly • Kitchen Cabins $90 (dbl), extra $15, child $10 • Tourist Flats $105 (dbl), extra $15, child $10 Phone for reservations: 04 526 7400 www.harcourtholidaypark.co.nz WATCH VIDEO 69 RIMUTAKA CYCLE TRAIL RIMUTAKA RIDING THE TRAIL Petone Foreshore to old railway route. From Ladle Bend Bridge on Western Lake Rd. This section is a On a clear day, the snow-capped peaks Maymorn, 35km the trail travels through plantation forestry gentle descent on a sealed public road, of the South Island’s Kaikoura Ranges to Summit. From Summit the trail descends easily ridden, with some care required are visible across the water. Much of the The fi rst section of the trail runs along the path of the historic Fell Locomotive for occasional motor vehicles. Riders will land is part of the Orongorongo Sheep mostly along the banks of the Hutt Incline. With three railway tunnels on the travel through rich farmland, where sheep Station. The landscape is one of stark and River, through parkland on the fairly descent, including the 576m Summit Tunnel, and cattle have grazed since Europeans rugged beauty, but do keep an eye on the easy-grade paths of the popular Hutt some form of light is advisable. Riders fi rst settled in the 19th century. weather while planning and riding, as this River Trail. emerge from the ranges at Cross Creek, into Towards the coast riders pass Lake section is exposed to strong winds. After Beginning at Petone Wharf, riders the expanse of the Wairarapa. Onoke, part of the Wairarapa Moana exploring Turakirae Head, the trail runs then head along the foreshore to the Wetlands Park, before reaching the big north to the mouth of the Orongorongo mouth of the Hutt River, historic site Cross Creek to blue of Cook Strait at Ocean Beach. River where there is a road link back of the Hikoikoi pa, one of the largest Ocean Beach, 36km to the city of Wellington. This section Maori settlements in pre-European Some riders may opt to turn northeast on Ocean Beach to mouth of provides the most challenging trail New Zealand. The trail then follows Western Lake Rd to the town of Featherston Orongorongo River, 18km conditions with rocky and sandy sections. the river northeast through the park- (12km) to fi nish their day’s ride. The trail, The fi nal section runs along the South like public corridor on both sealed however, turns southwest and runs Coast, with the Cook Strait on your left and gravelled pathways. alongside the shore of Lake Wairarapa and hill country to your right. Eventually leaving the riverbank at Te Marua, riders follow a short road Wild coast track around Turakirae Head © huttvalleynz.com section to the entrance to Tunnel Gully to begin the second part of the trail. Maymorn to Cross Creek, 25km Beginning with Tunnel Gully, riders travel through the historic Maymorn Tunnel and lush green bush to Kaitoke. After a short public road, it’s back into the bush to follow the Just 30 minutes from Wellington City and 5 minutes from Upper Hutt City. WallacevilleWallaceville Rimutaka Cycle Trail Tunnel Gully Entrance 9.4kms away. Motor Lodge You will fall in love with the view from every room. 16 spacious and exceptionally quiet motel rooms. Secure Bike Storage Expires Dec 2016 • ST UDIIO $1200* (1 Doublle, 1 Single) • SPA SUUITE $1140* (1 Kinng Bed) • FAMILLY STUDDIO $1440* (1 Douuble, 2 Singlees) • FAMILLY DELUUXE $1990* (1 Kinng, 1 Doublee, 1 Single) * The rattes on thhis advert are for ddirect boookings only. PPHONE 00800 0011 456. Promo Coode MUST bbe quoteed at the ttime of booking 2 Wallaceville Road, Upper Hutt Call us free on 0800 001 456 and make your reservation www.wallacevillehouse.co.nz E: [email protected] 70 RIMUTAKA CYCLE TRAIL RIMUTAKA 71 RIMUTAKA CYCLE TRAIL RIMUTAKA NEARBY DESTINATIONS The Rimutaka Cycle Trail is right on urban vibe and a compact city centre Harbour on the East by West Ferry. Fuel up for your ride on Petone’s the doorstep of Wellington, New that is easily explored either on foot or Either head directly to the trail head Jackson St, a popular and picturesque Zealand’s capital, and recently named two wheels.