Last Updated: 26th Sep 2023
Birchville Dam Loop
Submitted by Joe Benbow
Last Updated: 26th Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 10 ?
Gnarl Factor: 19 ?
7.5km
310m
310m
337m
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Last Updated: 26th Sep 2023
Submitted by Joe Benbow
Last Updated: 26th Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 10 ?
Gnarl Factor: 19 ?
7.5km
310m
310m
337m
Urban fringe
Loop
Undulating, small hills only
Native bush
Sealed Road
Easy Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +10.3%
Average Downhill Gradient: -11.2%
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1:20
Slow
0:55
Moderate
0:40
Fast
This trail is dog friendly if they're kept on a lead
Head up the track from Tulsa Park and turn onto the zig-zag track when you reach the first intersection. (For a longer loop via the trig, you could take Valley View Road instead).
At the top of the short, sharp hill, turn right at the noticeboard/map signposted for Birchville Dam. There is both a 4WD track and walking track running alongside each other. It's safer (and more enjoyable) to take the grassy walking track which will regularly intersects back along with the 4WD track anyway. Eventually you'll come to a viewpoint with a bench, and a gravel path heading downhill. Take this path down, crossing the stile and continue down the path and steps until you arrive at the dam.
From here, it's a gentle 1k downhill alongside the stream (look out for the waterfall), and a pretty old-school swingbridge, which brings you to Bridge St carpark.
Follow the signs to Totara Park along the Hutt River trail, then just before you get to the bridge crossing the river, turn right into California Park. Head straight through the park onto California Road, which will lead you back to Tulsa Park where you started.
Birchville Dam is believed to be the second unreinforced concrete arch dam built for water supply in New Zealand. It was built in 1930 for the Upper Hutt Borough Council to provide increased water capacity for the borough and replaced a water supply weir built in 1913–1914 at the same location on Clarke's Creek, near Birchville. Decommissioned in 1958, when Upper Hutt joined the Wellington regional water scheme, this dam is now an historic attraction on the Cannon Point Walkway.
Car park is a reasonable size but there is space on the nearby residential streets too. Assumed to be fairly safe in the daytime.
7 km
11 minutes
Unknown
No
Easy.
The walking track from Cannon Point trig to the dam runs on and off the 4wd track. You might think you're going off track but it always joins up again.
Generally good.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone
There is a water fountain at Tulsa Park
Middle part of the route can be a bit muddy after rain but rest of the track is well drained
Keep an eye out for mountain bikes and 4wds on the forestry track
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Great, varied terrain. Decent slog up the zigzags but the view is worth it. Undulating grassy trail for a while, then sweet downhill all the way to the dam on single trail. Beautiful through the bush following the stream down to the road. The river trail takes you back to Tulsa Park - a bit of a pain in trail shoes but only a couple of kms. Nice run and dome history on the way.
October 21, 2020
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