Otari Red trail

Western Hills, Wellington, New Zealand

Connects Skyline to Chartwell and main Otari-Wilton's track

Intermediate

Foot

The Red trail is one of the main marked routes in Otari-Wilton's bush, but some parts are a little rougher and muddier than the yellow or lower blue trails. Allow 40 minutes for the loop walk from the Troup picnic area to the flax clearing and back.

The red loop leaves the main track beside the river Troup picnic area and heads up to connect with the end of John Wilton Drive in Chartwell. The route from John Wilton Drive to the Flax Clearing crosses a few small streams and can be a little muddy in places.

The track up from the Flax Clearing to the Pylon Road was put in about 9 years ago in response to a request from Jock Fleming who was Founding Chairman of the Otari-Wilton's Bush Trust at the time and who also joined in the work. It became known as Jock's Track but has been officially designated as Cockayne Heights Track, as it goes up the ridge that was planted with Kauri and Beech in the 1930's by Leonard Cockayne (who was the Otari Curator at that time). This track connects with the Chartwell route and is a relatively easy grade.

At the junction at the top you can head right to Chartwell Drive, go down the road about 200 metres in to John Wilton Drive and re-enter the bush at the end of the cul-de-sac to re-join the red trail. Alternatively, you can go left and join the Skyline or Kohekohe Trail back in to Otari-Wilton's bush.

From the Flax Clearing you join the Otari Yellow Trails at the western end, or descend a more direct route (marked as both Yellow and Red trails) down to main track by the river a few hundred metres from the picnic area. This is a wide and easier track than the right-hand loop.

See also Otari old red trail for alternate loop walks on the steeper and rougher right-hand route (rated Intermediate).

There is a carpark at the main Otari-Wilton entrance on Wilton Road. The Chartwell entrance is at the end of John Wilton Drive.

Cycling is not permitted in Otari-Wilton bush.

2.05km

Double track

184m 76m 260m

25 Dec 2010 by ledzep

ledzep