Tussock on Belmont tops - Jessica Dewsnap

The breathtaking views and bush-clad valleys of Belmont Regional Park make it a favourite open space for walking, running, mountain biking and horse riding. Located in the hill country between Porirua and the Hutt Valley, the park features the historic Korokoro Dam, World War II ammunition stores and the original main coach road from Wellington. Boulder Hill has sweeping views over Porirua Harbour, the Lower Hutt valley and the remnants of ancient boulder block fields.

Picnic tables are located in the Stratton Street valley of Belmont Regional Park. Other popular sites include Korokoro Dam and Baked Beans Bend. Light no fires - but you are welcome to bring your own gas barbecue.

You can camp at Dry Creek, in the Stratton Street valley, Korokoro Forks and Baked Beans Bend. Contact the ranger for suitable sites. Toilets and drinking water are provided at the Oakleigh Street, Stratton Street and Dry Creek entrances.

22 August to 24 October 2008. Farmed areas of the park will be closed for lambing during this period. No public access is permitted on tracks crossing farm land. Please plan your trip to take account of this temporary closure.

• Cornish St - a 10-minute walk south-west from the Petone Railway Station. Turn off SH2 just north of the Petone overbridge.
• Oakleigh St via Dowse Drive or take a No. 150 bus from Petone Railway Station or Lower Hutt.
• Stratton St via Dowse Drive. The park entrance is 2km from the end of Stratton St.
• Hill Rd, via Grounsell Crescent or take a No. 145 bus from Melling Railway Station (peak hours Mon-Fri)
• Kaitangata Crescent, Kelson or take a No 150 bus from Lower Hutt or Waterloo Interchange to the top of Major Drive.
• Dry Creek near the SH2 and SH 58 (Haywards Hill) intersection. The park entrance is a 10 minute walk from Manor Park Station

And these entrances from State Highway 1:

• Cannons Creek via Mungavin Ave and the Cannons Creek Lakes Reserve. Enter from the Cannons Creek Shopping Centre car park. Take a No. 61 bus (Mon-Sun), 63 bus (Mon-Sat) or 64 bus (Mon-Fri) from Porirua Railway Station to Cannons Creek.
• Takapu Road, Grenada North. Trains from Wellington stop at Takapu Road station.

You can download a map of the park by clicking on the blue box on the right of the screen. For more detailed maps of specific areas in the park please email parks@gw.govt.nz

Dogs under control are allowed in the Korokoro Valley and Dry Creek Valley. Dogs are not permitted on farmland.

There is no camping and permission is required for horse riding in the farming area. Parts of the farm may be closed during lambing (Aug-Oct). Please keep to the marked routes as you walk, cycle or ride in the farming areas.