Pakuratahi
Greater Wellington Council Park
The Pakuratahi Forest covers the western side of the Rimutaka ranges north of Upper Hutt and includes lands in the Kaitoke basin. Terrain: rolling hills, some steep, clay trails (can be boggy when wet), hard metal trails.
Horses are not permitted in the Pakuratahi Tunnel.
There is no horse riding access to the Rimutaka Rail Trail via the main entrance so you must park off
Plateau Rd,
Kaitoke Incline Rd or
Parkes Line Rd.
There is a link through to Kaitoke if you wish to park there and ride through.
Open from 8am until dusk
Permit & Keys required
There are several locked gates along the tracks and to the parking areas you need to pre-arrange a horse riding permit.
Same permit as Kaitohe
$100 bond for key(s)
Apply to Upper Hutt office.
Trails
Station Drive, is a metalled track linking to Kaitoke Regional Park. It also leads to a more challenging access track to the Rimutaka Rail Trail via Goat Rock (579m). Please note you will be returning the same way if you ride up this track.
The Rimutaka Rail Trail offers access to the Pakuratahi River and several picnic spots. Accessed from Station Drive or parking at Kaitoke Incline
Tunnel Gully Recreation Area
Sits at the foot of Mt Climie (830m) in the Pakuratahi Forest north of Upper Hutt. It is a mix of native bush, trees, and plantation (pine) forest, These tracks lead to Station Drive and on to other trails.
Parking and Access
Parkes Line Rd - Coming from SH2 turn off at Maymorn Rd, turn left onto Parkes Line Rd
Plateau Rd - parking in one of the main public parking areas of the Tunnel Gully Recreation Area - see maps
50 Kaitoke loop Rd - There is a float parking and turning area available off Kaitoke Loop Rd (approx number 50) behind locked gates. Parking 3-5 spaces, all parking requires drivers to be able to reverse.