Cannon Point Walkway

Cannon Point Walkway is a moderately demanding walk on a well formed track, in the hills to the north of Upper Hutt. It is 10 km long and passes through private land and Greater Wellington's Akatarawa forest.

Highlights include native bush, the historic Birchville Reservoir and spectacular views of the Hutt Valley.

No dogs are permitted. Mountain bikes are not allowed on the Bridge Road-Birchville Dam section of the walkway.

How to get there:

The main entrance point to the walk is at Bridge Road, Akatarawa. Follow State Highway 2 (River Road) to Akatarawa Road, north of Upper Hutt city centre. Bridge Road turns off Akatarawa Road 2.5 km north of the junction with State Highway 2.

Access is also available off Tulsa Grove, Totara Park.

Public Transport: Catch a train to Upper Hutt then a number 110 bus to Bridge Road or number 111 Totara Park bus to Tulsa Grove.

Route description and walking times

From the Bridge Road carpark the Cannon Point Walkway follows the pipeline from the old Birchville Reservoir. The reservoir lake and dam is approximately 1 km upstream surrounded by a bush clad valley.  A return trip to the dam will take approximately one hour.

From the dam the Walkway follows a graded climb out of the valley to the hilltops above.  It continues along a firebreak beside Valley View forest until reaching Cannon Point, giving panoramic views of the Hutt Valley.

There is a choice of two routes down from Cannon Point. The shorter, direct descent follows a zigzag track down the southern face of the hill. The longer descent follows the forest access road down the western ridge. Walkers using the access road need to watch out for vehicles.

From Tulsa Grove the route returns to Bridge Road via California Drive, through California Park and along the banks of the Hutt River.

The route from Bridge Road toCannon Point returning via California Drive will take3-4 hours and requires a moderate level offitness.