Haere mai, welcome to Hutt River Trail

Location Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt

This is an easy scenic walk and cycle path running alongside the beautiful Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River from Petone to Te Marua. The 29km Hutt River Trail also boasts access to the river for swimming, fishing and kayaking.

Opening hours

Parks are always open to foot traffic.

Notices
A view of the river on the Hutt River Trail
A view of the river on the Hutt River Trail

Activities

Description

The majority of the trail runs on both sides of the River. The left bank (or Eastern side) makes up a section of the Remutaka Cycle Trail - one of New Zealand's Great Rides. Trail surfaces vary from sealed asphalt - perfect for children and buggies, to compacted gravels for the more keen walkers and cyclists.

If you don't want to bike the whole trail short loops can be made between most of the bridges. Along the trail In Upper Hutt you can discover two sites where The Lord of the Rings was filmed. In Harcourt Park you will find the site of Isengard, the ancient Gondorian fortress at the southern end of the Misty Mountains, facing Rohan, and between Moonshine and Totara Park and at Poets Park, off SH2 at Moonshine, the river was the site for The Great River Anduin.

The Hutt River Trail is a great place to take time out from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy what the river environment has to offer. It is a popular area for recreation, so whether you decide to spend time on foot, wheels, in the water, or alongside your furry friends, please be kind and respectful to others you meet along the shared pathways.

Know before you go

  • Dogs are allowed off lead on the Trail but must be under control and on leads on stop-bank paths and sealed shared pathways. Please remove droppings
  • Use the rubbish bins provided or take your litter home
  • Mountain biking is allowed on all sections of the Trail.  Always wear a helmet, show consideration for other Trail users and observe the mountain bike code
  • Picnic tables and barbecue sites are often situated near swimming holes. Gas barbecues are permitted. Light no fires.
  • Motor vehicles are permitted only on formed roads. Slow down and give way to other users. Keep off the grassed river berm, stopbanks and pedestrian trails
  • No trail bikes, ATV quads or trikes are permitted on the Hutt River Trail
  • Playgrounds are located at Sladden, Avalon, Trentham Memorial, Te Haukaretu and Harcourt Parks
  • Toilets are located at Hikoikoi, Sladden, Avalon, Trentham Memorial, Moonshine and Harcourt Parks as well as in High Street, Lower Hutt, and at Akatarawa Road, Birchville

Download the park brochure

Getting there

The Hutt River Trail starts at Hikoikoi Reserve on Petone's Marine Parade or you can enter at many points along the Trail from here to Upper Hutt, 27 km away. These points include the bridges across the river: Hutt Estuary, Ava Rail, Ewen, Melling, Kennedy-Good, Silverstream, Moonshine, Totara Park, Harcourt Park and Birchville bridges.

By public transport

Ava, Melling, Pomare, Manor Park and Silverstream Railway Stations are handy to the Trail, together with various bus services. Bicycles may be carried on trains for free, on a "first come first served" basis.

See the Metlink Journey Planner  for the best way to reach the Hutt River Trail via public transport.

By bike

Plan your route from the Hutt River Trail or Hutt Valley train line with the Hutt Valley cycle map.

Hutt River Trail

Updated February 22, 2024 at 4:55 PM

Get in touch

Phone:
0800496734
Email:
info@gw.govt.nz