Published: 14 October 2024
With the warmer weather welcoming us, it’s the perfect time to explore and appreciate the stunning nature that surrounds Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt.
This weekend, why not venture out and discover some of the beautiful walking spots in our area? Including these three dog-friendly walks below.
Please remember to keep your dog on a leash and clean up after them. Let’s work together to keep our native forests and birds safe and thriving.
Kowhai Street Track: (Managed by Greater Wellington)
Located in Eastbourne, this track starts off with amazing views from just 5 minutes into the walk as it rises steeply before soon easing off. Make your way through the beautiful forest towards the Butterfly picnic area and enjoy some yummy sandwiches while admiring the surrounding trees. It takes about 1 hour to get to the picnic area (2km).
Petone Esplanade Walkway:
This relatively flat and easy walk offers stunning views of Petone Beach, the ocean, and Wellington City. Starting at Hikoikoi Reserve, you’ll head towards the dog exercise zone at the other end. This walk is a gentle 35-40 minutes each way. Please keep in mind that dogs must remain on a leash while on the walkway and at Hikoikoi Reserve. They can be off leash but under control in the designated dog exercise areas at either end of the beach. However, dogs are prohibited from the middle of the beach from 9am-8pm during daylight saving period.
Ōrongorongo Track: (Managed by DOC)
This popular walking track leads through stunning native forest with a peaceful nearby river. The track provides access to multiple other trails of varying lengths. It takes 2 hours (5km) to get to Ōrongorongo River, which is the perfect spot to relax in the sunshine. The area (Remutaka Forest Park) is also a home to our precious kiwi.
For more walks in our city, visit hutt.city/walks (please make sure to always check that the walks are dog-friendly before bringing your pup).