Wairarapa Tracks and Walks
The Wairarapa region is home to the Mount Bruce/Pukaha Wildlife Centre, Aorangi, Rimutaka and Tararua forest parks, Lake Wairarapa wetlands, Castlepoint, Putangirua Pinnacles and several other scenic reserves.
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Deliverance Cove Track
The two possible routes on this Castlepoint walk offer spectacular views as you climb above the lagoon along the boundary track to the top of Castle Rock.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min return
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Donnelly Flat Loop Walk
The walking track to Donnelly Flat passes through some of the best mixed podocarp/broadleaf forest in the Tararua Range.
Category: Walking track
Distance: 2.5 km
Completion Time: 1 hr round trip
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Gentle Annie Track
One of the most popular day trips in the park is the climb to Mountain House Shelter along the easy grade of the Gentle Annie Track.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 3 hr 30 min – 4 hr round trip
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Holdsworth – Kaitoke Tramp
The classic Holdsworth – Kaitoke tramp follows the Waiohine and Tauherenikau Rivers for 36 km between Holdsworth and Kaitoke.
Category: Great Walk/Easy tramping track
Distance: 36 km
Completion Time: 13-14 hr
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Honeycomb Rock Walkway
Honeycomb Rock is a spectacular outcrop on the Wairarapa coast, so named because of the cell-like weathering pattern which gives the rock a honeycomb appearance.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 5 – 6 hr
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Kahikatea Walk
This 30 minute loop walks takes you through a flooded forest remnant in the Wairarapa.
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: 30 min
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Kiriwhakapapa Loop
This pleasant loop walk is well-graded and benched and passes through forest that has regenerated well after logging in the 1930s.
Category: Tramping track
Distance: 1 km
Completion Time: 30 min
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Lighthouse Walk
Look out for fossil shells in the rock as you follow the board-walk over the reef and past the lighthouse at Castlepoint Scenic Reserve.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 30 min return
Alert: The Castlepoint causeway and wind fence leading to the lighthouse have been removed.
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Mitre Flats
The Barra track follows the Waingawa River to Mitre Flats and Mitre Flats Hut.
Category: Tramping track
Distance: 8.2 km
Completion Time: 6 � 7 hr return
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Mt Holdsworth – Jumbo Circuit
The classic Mt Holdsworth – Jumbo Circuit is a two to three day tramp involving a climb through beech-podocarp forest to some of the best alpine tops travel in the Tararua Forest Park.
Category: Great Walk/Easy tramping track
Distance: 24 km
Completion Time: 12 hr
Alert: Work on upgrading the Gentle Annie track will begin on 17 November 2008.
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Pinnacles Track
Three 2-3 hour walks lead to the Putangirua Pinnacles in Aorangi Forest Park. There is also a 3-4 hour walk with excellent views of Palliser Bay and Lake Onoke.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 2 � 4 hr depending on route
Alert: Watch for falling rocks on the streambed walk.
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Powell Hut � Mount Holdsworth
This tramp follows the Mount Holdsworth Track to Powell Hut. From the rocky outcrop below the hut you get a view of High Ridge and Totara Flats far below.
Category: Great Walk/Easy tramping track
Completion Time: 5 � 6 hr or 7 � 8 hr, depending on route
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Rimutaka Rail Trail
Built in 1878, this rail route between the Hutt Valley and Featherston is now a gently graded 18 km walk, run or mountain bike ride, with opportunities for camping, swimming and fishing.
Category: Walking track
Distance: 18 km one way (Kaitoke to Cross Creek carpark)
Completion Time: 3 hr walk or 1 hr bike ride one way, starting from Kaitoke.
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Ruamahanga River Walk
This easy 20 minute walk follows the boardwalk through the Carter Scenic Reserve, a recovering wetland in the Wairarapa
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: 20 min each way
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Smith Creek – Tauherenikau River
Smith Creek – Tauherenikau River is a daytrip in the southern Tararua Range and the exit/entry to the Kaitoke-Holdsworth Tramp.
Category: Tramping track
Distance: 13 km
Completion Time: 4 hr return
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Te Arapiki o Tawhaki
Experience stunning views and native bush on Te Arapiki o Tawhaki at Pukaha Mount Bruce.
Category: Walking track
Distance: 1.75 km
Completion Time: 2 hr return
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Waiohine Gorge walks
There are a number of short tracks that descend from Waiohine Gorge Road into the gorge, giving access for picnicking, swimming, fishing and watersports.
Category: Walking track
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