Last Updated: 22nd Jan 2024
Extended Skyline
Submitted by Stephen Bates
Last Updated: 22nd Jan 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 31 ?
Gnarl Factor: 13 ?
29.0km
1100m
1025m
445m
Last Updated: 22nd Jan 2024
Submitted by Stephen Bates
Last Updated: 22nd Jan 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 31 ?
Gnarl Factor: 13 ?
29.0km
1100m
1025m
445m
Urban fringe
Point to Point (one way)
Undulating, some big hills
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Open farmlands
Open ridges/tops
Sealed Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +9.8%
Average Downhill Gradient: -7.9%
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5.00:00
Slow
4.00:00
Moderate
3.00
Fast
From the car park, enter the Colonial Knob Walkway and follow the path to the left up the approx. 706 stairs. From here join the 4WD track to the Colonial Knob summit. Follow the sign for Mt. Kaukau down the single track following the blue posts and signs toward Spicer Forest. Go over the steps and enter the single track through Spicer Forset until following the yellow circle markers.
Keep following the single track down until you join Ohario Valley Road. Turn left onto the road and follow the road along till you reach the crossroads. Go straight over onto Rifle Range Road and keep going straight on to the end of the road. Here you will join Old Coach Road 4WD track and start the asscent up Mt. Kaukau. Follow signs for the Northern Walkway or Mt. Kaukau summit until you reach the TV antena / lookout. Here you join the Skyline Walkway and follow the blue signs along the ridge towards Wellington City and Karori. From here the main route is clearly signposted. Follow the skyline track either to the end or branch off early down towards Karori Park.
Good lookout points from the top of Colonial Knob and Mount KauKau.
About 10 parking spaces at Camp Elsdon covered by CCT cameras. More parking available on Rahia Street. Porirua train station approx. 2km away
11 km
14 minutes
Unknown
No
Moderate.
In Spicer Forest it is easy to come off the single track and onto the landfill road. This is noticed by a short climb up to the road. Either you can turn left here and follow the road down or turn back and approx. 50m you will notice a turn off marked by a yellow circle on a tree. The Skyline Track also has several paths off but these are signposted.
Generally good.
Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
No water available
Can be muddy after rain and very exposed to the wind
The road from the bottom of Spicer Forest to the end of Rifle Range Rd you are running on roads with little space for runners. The road is generally quiet but keep an eye out for vehicles.
Karori Park Cafe
Karori Park
https://www.facebook.com/karoriparkcafe/
Close to the finish
One Fat Bird
162 Karori Rd, Karori
https://whg.co.nz/one-fat-bird/
Good drink and food selections
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Extended Skyline
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Great trails at each end. Iconic Wellington. Dunno about that road in the middle tho!
March 4, 2023
Ran this in reverse at the weekend as part of my ultra up to Te Horo. The road section in the middle is a bit of a slog and I didn't have much cushion in my trail shoes so paid for it later, but then you need them for the other parts, so this route rewards good all-round shoes. Great scenery right along the route though and I'll definitely run again at some point, perhaps in the other direction next time.
June 2, 2020
BH
Thoroughly enjoyed this run. Very easy to find, well sign posted and a good mix of 4WD, flowy single track through Spicer Forest, quiet roads through the valley and then a good climb up Mt Kaukau before blitzing along Skyline into the back of Karori. Definitely recommend. Thanks Stephen :-)
January 29, 2020
Agree with the above post - ohairu valley road is a mental slog. Started at titahi bay and took the Porirua reserve track from takapuwahia
August 2, 2018
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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