Last Updated: 20th May 2024
Te Ahumairangi Ridgeline
Submitted by Richele McKenzie
Last Updated: 20th May 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 5 ?
Gnarl Factor: 15 ?
4.6km
200m
200m
304m
Last Updated: 20th May 2024
Submitted by Richele McKenzie
Last Updated: 20th May 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 5 ?
Gnarl Factor: 15 ?
4.6km
200m
200m
304m
Urban
Loop
Undulating, small hills only
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Open ridges/tops
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +9.7%
Average Downhill Gradient: -11.7%
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0:45
Slow
0:35
Moderate
0:25
Fast
From the end of Puketiro Ave head up the steps, cross the grass and take the first little track on the left. Cut through the Stellin carpark and follow the track up the hill, going straight past the tank, until you get to the Te Ahumairangi Hill Lookout carpark. Just before the gate cross the driveway and head up the bush track to the left until you pop out at the Glamorgan Street playground. The Glamorgan Track entrance is just across the road.
Follow this (ignore the arrow pointing up the steps) until you get to a large sign pointing you back up onto the ridge. Great views from here! Follow the wide ridgeline track north until you get to the Weld Street carpark, cross the driveway and head down the grassy bank until you see a small clay track. This will take you down to the Northern Walkway entrance. Follow this then head up past the tennis courts.
Follow the steep track all the way up and back around to the carpark, then back up the Ridgeline Track, heading towards the transmitter/ building / trig. There are usually dog bowls here if you are running with a canine friend. Do a quick loop around more tanks, head down the road, loop right, back to the middle carpark, then follow the bush track back to the start. There are plenty of opportunities to add distance to your run (including coming up the hill from the city) once you get the hang of the area.
This trail starts at Stellin Memorial Park. The memorial lookout includes a plaque and an information panel about James Kingston Stellin. Stellin was a New Zealand Pilot Officer serving in the RAF who on 19 August 1944 gave his own life to save the inhabitants of a French village. See also the memorial to James Stellin in France. (nzhistory.govt.nz)
The second part is through old Telecom land - the old driveways and pathways are overgrown but still visible. The critically endangered freshwater snail species, Potamopyrgus oppidanus, is found only on Te Ahumairangi hill. The Ridgeline track from Te Ahumairangi Hill Lookout carpark to the Weld Street carpark is all an off lead dog exercise area.
Corner of Randwick and Northland Roads.
Roadside parking on Puketiro Ave. There is also a carpark just above this but it's not recommend as there have been issues. Trail can also be accessed from the Wadestown end, or from the Te Ahumairangi Hill Lookout carpark, further up Orangi Kaupapa Road.
5 km
14 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
There are vague tracks crisscrossing the old Telecom site from Stellin. Keep going up and you should be fine.
Perfect throughout.
Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
No water fountain available, although there is a tap at the building next to the transmitter. Closest public toilet is on the corner of Randwick Road and Northland Road.
As usual with Wellington, tracks can get slippery after rain. If the small clay track at the northern end is too slippery use the driveway down to Weld Street instead.
Can get very windy along the ridgeline.
The Mini Coffee Bar
Cnr of Curtis Street and Whitehead Road
https://www.facebook.com/theminicoffeebar/
Toma makes great coffee and there's plenty of outdoor space for sweaty runners.
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Te Ahumairangi Ridgeline
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Short but challenging run through Northern walkway trails in Wellington – good as an undulating tempo. A lot of singletrack that was quite muddy and slippery in places. I took the wrong turn several times and was grateful of the GPS route on my phone to get back on track (although it was my second attempt - the first one I got horribly off track). Some beautiful views of the city and western suburbs in places.
November 30, 2022
Fun loop. Definitely helps to have the gpx file and trail notes. Thanks!
August 11, 2021
Great to see Te Ahumairangi ridge back on the Trail Directory, thanks Richele. Our dog Rosie loved this one as there were lots of furry pals out to play with. From the summit, we chose to head down the trail to Glamorgan Park rather than backtrack and take the road. Stunning views today!
May 27, 2021
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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