Porirua Scenic Reserve

Porirua, Wellington, New Zealand

Bush walks through the hills above Elsdon

Intermediate

Foot

There are several access points to Porirua Scenic Reserve. Some tracks have been in place for many years and are well formed though not well marked. Other areas are being developed with new tree planting in place. Some parts are quite steep and the clay track can be very slippery after wet weather (also watch some of the wooden board walks near the Rangituhi Crescent entrance). Overall, there is something for all walkers.

Rangituhi Crescent to Waiho Terrace. This is a well formed route through the bush involving approx 150 metre climb. Near Rangituhi Crescent there are wooden board walks, bridges and steps. There may be other tracks leading down to other roads at the back of Elsdon, but these are not marked. In fact, there is only 1 blue Rangituhi Crescent sign on the entire track, but there isn't really any danger of taking a wrong turn as the main track is well formed. Allow about 30 minutes to walk this route one way.

Waiho Terrace to Aparangi Crescent. The entrance is well signposted on Waiho Terrace, and after going behind the houses the track climbs steeply and after about 400 metres there is a grassy area amongst the gorse and scrub. From here the main track leads steeply downhill to the well signposted entrance at the end of Aparangi Crescent cul-de-sac. Note that there is also an accessway from the north end of Waiho Terrace to Kotuku St.

Waiho Terrace to Colonial Knob walkway. From the grassy area clearing above Waiho Terrace the track leads off into the bush from the southern end. It isn't marked, but is easy to find as the wide grassy area is a dead end. The track leads through the bush, and is slippery and rough in places. It joins up with the track to Colonial Knob about 150 metres from the carpark by the camping ground on Raiha St. The junction is beside a bridge and marked with a wooden post and orange markers leading up the hill beside a small creek. For a round trip back to Aparangi Crescent follow the wide 4WD track north from beside the bridge to the Raiha St car park. The track from Aparangi Crescent up the hill is VERY steep.

Car parking on the road at the Rangituhi, Waiho Terrace, Aparangi Crescent or Raiha St car park entrances.

Mountain bikes not allowed (though it is clear that they are used in places along the route as there are bicycle jumps on the track)

4.32km

Single track

149m 149m 30m 30m

10 Oct 2010 by ledzep

ledzep