BiblicalBeginner - Intermediate

Description

From the car park, take the left hand track and take the left turn to Deliverance a short way in. The first half of this track is steep, rooty and rocky and can be wet even after dry weather. One for those who enjoy a bit of technical! It then flattens out to several small stream crossings (which you can usually cross without getting wet feet).

When the track finishes at Fitzgerald Place, turn right and head up Salvation. This has recently been graded and despite being all uphill, is very smooth and runnable. You’ll come to a turnoff to Woodhouse Ave on the left. Ignore this and turn right, following the sign to Wrights Hill Lookout. As the hill flattens out you’ll pass another turnoff to the left to Lansdowne Track which you can ignore. A bit more climb then you’ll come out back at the car park where you started.

By now you’ll be nicely warmed up, so resist the temptation to end there and cross the road, picking up John’s track (signposted Wright’s Hill Lookout). At the next intersection, don’t turn right (Wrights Hill lookout), but carry on straight (towards lower car park and Karori sanctuary), then repeat at the next intersection. You’ll shortly come to the Lookout Walkway.

Turn right here following sign to Karori Sanctuary, left at the next (Karori Sanctuary), then straight on at the unmarked post when you should see the Sanctuary fenceline. Turn right and follow the track keeping the fence to your left until you get to the road on the right heading to “The parade ground / Wrights Hill”.

A short way up this road, turn off to the track on the right – Gun Emplacement 3 Track, and follow this up until it opens up on the sealed road which takes you on the right to the Wrights Hill Lookout. Stop here and soak up the spectacular views across Wellington and check out the WWII gun emplacements. Head to the far side of the fortress (underground bunker) to the sealed path and follow its winding path down (or take the shortcut stairs) to rejoin John’s track.

Turn left at the first intersection then it’s just a leisurely return back down John’s track to the finish.

Keep an eyes out and ears open out for mountain bikes - on Salvation in particular!

Features of interest

Wrights Hill Reserve borders Zealandia, so you are likely to see and hear plenty of native birds e.g. tui, kaka, kereru and piwakawaka. At the top of Wrights Hill you can also explore the WWII fortress and gun emplacements.

Make Up of Run

Technical Single Track: 10%

Moderate Single Track: 10%

Easy Single Track: 70%

Farm Road / 4WD Track: 10%

Route Data