|
There are several tracks available in Belmont Regional
Park for horse riding. Remember that these tracks are multi
use – watch out for walkers and mountain bike riders.
The main access points for horse riding are
Stratton Street and
Dry Creek entrances, both of which have toilets
and parking for horse floats. Horse riders can also enter from
Horokiwi Road. Horse riders must have permission from Landcorp
Farming to ride in the Waitangirua Farm area of the park - contact
the
ranger for more information.
Stratton Street to Belmont Trig
4 km return; Easy/medium grade; 2 ½ hours return
Park your horse float in the gravelled car park on
the right just past the green park sign at the
Stratton Street entrance. Cross the road
and follow the farm track up to Belmont Trig. About 50 metres
from the top, the track branches left. Follow the farm track, then
take the signposted Horokiwi bridleway. Return the same way or
detour via the rolling hills running parallel to the road.
Stream Ride and Middle Ridge
4km return; Medium grade; 2 hours
Park your horsefloat as above and ride beside the road up to the
carpark near the entrance to the ranger's house. Enter the pine
forest through the horse gate and take the left hand fork. Follow
the stream then climb gradually up towards Middle Ridge. Pass
through the gate near the ridge top and pick up the farm track to
the junction with Middle Ridge track. Turn left at this junction to
return to Stratton Street. Alternatively, turn right and ride
up to Cannons Head to get good views over the Porirua and
Wellington Harbours. Return the same way.
Pine Forest Loop
2 km return; Medium/hard grade; 1 hour
This is a variation on the previous ride. Start at the pine
forest but bear right to take the vehicle track up the middle of
the forest. Follow the track sign to a horse gate, then ride
downhill along the edge of the forest. This track returns to
Stratton Street.
Old Coach Road Loop
Various distances; Medium/hard grade; 1 hour
Park your horsefloat as above and ride through Cottle Park
Reserve to Normandale Road. Turn left and continue along
Normandale Road to Old Coach Road. Take the second
(easier) track left off Old Coach Road down to the
Stratton Street valley. Turn left to return to the carpark or go
right and do the Middle Ridge loop (see above).
Boulder Hill Ride
10km return; Medium grade; 1 hour
The track just above the main
Dry Creek car park will take you up to Buchanans
Road. Follow this up to a plateau, then continue along the marked
track to Boulder Hill. Return the same way.
It is possible to ride the Loop Track, but this requires
descending a narrow track through bush then climbing to a pylon
service track. The Loop Track is about the same distance as the
return ride to Boulder Hill.
Horokiwi Bridleway
2 km one way; Hard grade; 1 ½ hours one way
Drop down from the end of
Horokiwi Road to a stream, then ride up a
steep track to Belmont Trig. Or extend your
ride from Stratton Street to Belmont Trig. It is a steep ride
for confident riders, but worth the effort.
|