REMUTAKA
BOTH IMAGES: Remutaka Cycle Trail © Caleb Smith
Cycle Trail GREAT RIDE • REMUTAKA CYCLE TRAIL
TRAIL INFO
BEST FOR: Losing yourself in the natural and industrial remnants that surround our capital.
PETONE to ŌRONGORONGO 2-3 days
114km
Starting on the edge of Wellington Harbour, the Remutaka Cycle Trail flits between urban townships and untamed wilderness, meaning you’re never too far from a strong latte and a wild landscape.
F
rom disused train tracks to historic settlements, pockets of human activity hint at an industrial past, while rugged coastlines, lakes and river valleys allow for a total retreat into nature.
TOP TIP – With several, often lengthy, tunnels along the trail, don’t forget bike lights or a head torch.
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As intrepid as the ride may sound, there are no major hill climbs and the tracks are mostly flat. With several access points, day rides are just as feasible as the entire two to three-day shebang.
2-3 Days 114km
Flirting with the seaside, Petone’s fondness for good coffee, food, fashion labels and craftmanship nurtures a lively and innovative spirit. Head to Jackson St to experience the best of it. Venturing into Hutt Valley, often referred to as Wellington’s ‘big backyard’, the terrain gets noticeably wilder, and by the time you reach the Remutaka Range, the only noise left is natural. This forested trail traces an old railway line and includes a 6584m-long tunnel and a 90m swing bridge over Siberia Gully. Peddle on towards Wairarapa, where several townships offer hearty food, and by the time Wairarapa Moana (Lake Wairarapa) comes into view, the topography has changed yet again, into one of wetland and estuary. The coastal road is often lashed by an unforgiving wind that gives reason to its shipwrecks and plenty of quake-made topography. At Turakirae Head, rocks once shaped by sea are now ruled by seals and it’s only a little further to Ōrongorongo River mouth, where pre-booked shuttles return to Petone and Wellington (or you can carry on along the add-on Wainuiomata Valley Ride back to Lower Hutt).
TRAIL GRADES: PETONE TO MAYMORN, 35KM GRADE 2 (EASY) MAYMORN TO CROSS CREEK, 25KM GRADE 2-3 (EASY TO INTERMEDIATE) CROSS CREEK TO OCEAN BEACH, 36KM GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) OCEAN BEACH TO ŌRONGORONGO RIVER, 18KM GRADE 3-4 (INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED) MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Coverage is reliable throughout the Hutt Valley and in Wairarapa towns. There is some coverage beyond that – including around the coastal section – but it is patchy and should not be relied upon. DRINKING WATER: Carry enough water for your trip, as after the first section there are no shops. TYPE OF BIKE: A hybrid or touring bike will suffice on the Hutt River, Remutaka Rail Trail (Hutt side) and Western Lake Rd. A mountain bike is required for the Wairarapa side of the Rail Trail and the ride around the coast. E-bikes are welcome on all the trails. GRADE 2 (EASY) GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) GRADE 4 (ADVANCED)
