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.

click to get a pdf and map

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.