Last Updated: 8th Apr 2024
Puke Ariki Traverse
Submitted by Jo Pearce
Last Updated: 8th Apr 2024
Grunt Factor: 27 ?
Gnarl Factor: 19 ?
22.4km
975m
990m
458m
Last Updated: 8th Apr 2024
Submitted by Jo Pearce
Last Updated: 8th Apr 2024
Grunt Factor: 27 ?
Gnarl Factor: 19 ?
22.4km
975m
990m
458m
Urban fringe
Point to Point (one way)
Undulating, some big hills
Native bush
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Gravel Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +8.0%
Average Downhill Gradient: -9.2%
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5:00
Slow
4:00
Moderate
2:30
Fast
Stage 1: Boulder Hill (4.56km) Climb from the Hutt Valley to the summit of Boulder Hill, starting at the Dry Creek entrance to Belmont Regional Park.
Stage 2: Murphys (2.57km) Steep 200m+ descent from the summit of Boulder Hill, along a rough farm track and across open paddock. For much of its length the track is ill-defined, though the orange markers provide sufficient guidance.
Stage 3: Belmont Road (2.41km) Near the end of Murphys there is a short climb up to Belmont Road, which then continues climbing to a major intersection near the gas station.
Stage 4: Duck Creek (0.68km) Continue straight ahead from Belmont Road past the gas station and around the hill, then jump the fence just before the road heads down hill and cross the airstrip.
Stage 5: OCR Belmont (0.64km) From the airstrip briefly dip down into a valley and up to another major intersection.
Stage 6: Round Knob (0.95km) Head up the steep grassy track to the west (away from, rather than past, the bunker), over a hill and then skirt around the base of Round Knob.
Stage 7: Dress Circle (4.55km) From Round Knob, jump a couple of stiles and then head southwest along a series of rolling hill tops, valleys, and saddle points.
Stage 8: Belmont Trig (0.29km) Go through a large wooden gate and up the last section of the Belmont Trig track, to a smaller gate that is 20m south of the actual trig.
Stage 9: Belmont Trig South (2.69km) Proceed down the very steep and, in places, quite rough track that descends from Belmont Trig to the base of Horokiwi Valley.
Stage 10: Baked Beans Bend (0.78km) From the clearing known as Baked Beans Bend, follow a wet and wild track down the valley, including many unbridged creek crossings.
Stage 11: Cornish Street (3.01km) From a large "Belmont Trig" sign carved into a fallen tree, head down this mild valley to finally emerge at the end of Cornish Street.
This trail includes the peaks Belmont and Boulder Hill.
Amazing views of the Hutt Valley, Wellington Harbour and Kapiti Coast
There is secure parking at the Dry Creek entrance, where the gates are locked at 6pm and some parking at the Cornish Street end (where the track ends) but this end is not as secure and is on an industrial park. The Manor Park train station is not far away from the starting point and the Petone train station is not far from the end point. You can park at either the dry creek end and get the train back to manor park after run, or park at Cornish street end and get train to Manor park at the start of the run.
8 km
10 minutes
No
No
Moderate.
There are a few places along the tops where the orange triangles have gone, so look for white poles in the ground.
Generally good.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Map
There isn't any readily available drinking water on this route, however, there are a few Tarns, if you were to carry a filter with you. Suggest carrying your own water though.
In Winter, it can be very exposed on the tops and muddy, so dress appropriately.
In Summer it can be very hot with little water available, so dress appropriately and take plenty of water and sun protection.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Puke Ariki Traverse
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PG
Classic Wellington run that everyone should do at some point. Pick a calm day or be prepared to be blown off the trail. Bring your climbing legs!
March 7, 2021
Stunning point to point route, with incredible views across to the South Island, as well as the Kapiti Coast and the ranges beyond Upper Hutt and then back into Wellington harbour. I got lucky and did this on an epic sunshine winters day with no wind! The trail is very exposed so pack for conditions.
July 27, 2020
I love a good traverse! This one brings the joy of great views over Porirua Harbour across Mana Island, and then over Wellington Harbour as you approach Petone. Steady climb from Dry Creek to Boulder Hill on 4WD track. From Boulder Hill it undulates until you reach Belmont Trig over mixed terrain, including boggy farmland in some parts. The run past the WW2 Magazines is cool. Obligatory selfie at the Belmont Trig and then it's a cruisy 6-7 km down to Cornish Street...yep mostly down hill, with a few sneaky rises to keep it real. Bring a pack of good supplies, it's usually windy up there.
July 5, 2020
This is a great run. Be prepared for all weather as it's exposed on the tops. A good map or app with the trail is a good idea as it's not always obvious where the trail goes. My little detour/sightseeing side trip added a couple of kms to our trip. Veiws are amazing.
March 1, 2020
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.
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