Embark on an invigorating journey along the Birchville Dam Walk and Cannon Point trail, an 8km intermediate-level hike nestled in the picturesque hills north of Upper Hutt, New Zealand. Allow approximately 90 minutes to fully experience this rewarding traverse, perfect for those seeking a blend of stunning natural beauty, rich local history, and a satisfying moderate challenge. This captivating trail beautifully weaves through a mosaic of private land and the lush expanse of Greater Wellington’s Akatarawa Forest. Starting your ascent from Tulsa Park, the track gently zigzags upwards, gradually revealing increasingly spectacular, panoramic views over the entire Hutt Valley from the Cannon Point summit. It's a vista that truly showcases the region's grandeur. From this breathtaking vantage point, the journey continues along historic, winding forestry roads, descending into the heart of the forest towards the venerable Birchville Dam. Built in 1929, this impressive concrete structure once served as the primary water supply for Upper Hutt until 1954, offering a fascinating glimpse into the area's vital infrastructure history. The final stretch leads you approximately 1km downstream, crossing an exhilarating suspension bridge before reaching the trail's conclusion. Hikers have the flexibility to begin or end their adventure from either Tulsa Park or Bridge Road in Upper Hutt, making this an accessible and unforgettable New Zealand hiking trail. Getting There: You can choose to start or finish the trail from Tulsa Park or Bridge Road in Upper Hutt: * Tulsa Park: Take State Highway 2 to Upper Hutt, then turn onto Totara Park Road and continue to the end of the street. * Bridge Road: Take State Highway 2 to Brown Owl, Upper Hutt. Turn onto Akatarawa Road and continue until you see the signpost for Bridge Road. The car park is located about halfway along Bridge Road.

The Remutaka Cycle Trail’s four sections can be completed pleasurably in 2–3 days. Petone is the natural starting point, although Maymorn in Upper Hutt and Featherston in the Wairarapa are also popular. All can be reached on the Wellington to Wairarapa train service that stops at various other stations close the trail.

Shuttle pick-ups are available from the Orongorongo end, but it is also possible to close the loop with some extra riding.
 

Petone—Maymorn

35km, Grade 2/easy, 3–5 hours

The trail starts on Petone Foreshore, a significant settlement site of both Māori and Pākehā peoples, and home to the neat little Settlers Museum that will inform your onward journey. A short detour one block inland, historic Jackson Street has stacks of interesting cafes and delis, and is therefore a good place to stock up on supplies.

Having skirted the foreshore, the trail winds along the Hutt River Trail, a wide and largely flat pathway offering open views of the valley as you progress.

Referred to as Wellington’s ‘big backyard’, the Hutt’s bush-clad hills and expansive green spaces offer recreation aplenty for local and visitor alike. Riverside reserves, parks and playgrounds may well beckon you off the bike, as may major Hutt Valley attractions a short detour off the trail, including Lower Hutt city’s Dowse Art Museum & Brewtown in Upper Hutt.

Beyond Upper Hutt city in the foothills of the Remutaka Ranges, the leafy suburb of Maymorn is the end of this section and the start of something wild.

Maymorn—Cross Creek

25km, Grade 2–3/easy–intermediate, 3–4 hours

It’s a short ride from the streets of Maymorn to Tunnel Gully Recreation Area, where riders leave suburbia and head through a series of bushy trails, quiet roads and the historic 221m Maymorn tunnel to reach the historic Remutaka Rail Trail – a highlight of the entire cycle trail and an ever-popular day ride for locals. Bring a torch for the various tunnels en route.

Tracing the old railway, this lovely trail winds gently up through a mix of exotic and regenerating forest, with storyboards pinpointing railway relics and retelling colourful tales. The gentle climb finishes at ‘Summit’, a pretty recreation area with shelter and toilets, and therefore the perfect spot for a rest.

Just beyond Summit is a particularly impressive 584m-long tunnel, followed by a platform with views of the valley leading down to the Wairarapa Plains.

The trail is narrower and a bit more rugged on this side, and has a few more tunnels. It also now boasts a rather photogenic 90m swing bridge over Siberia Gully, the site of a tragedy in 1880 when a train was literally blown off the tracks. In high winds, riders can dismount and use the alternative trail route avoiding the Siberia swing bridge.

Views of expansive Wairarapa Moana (Lake Wairarapa) open up as riders emerge from the Remutaka Ranges at Cross Creek. Allow time to wander around the site of the old railway settlement before hitting the last little stretch of singletrack.

The Cross Creek car park is the logical pick-up point if you’re detouring into wine country for a day or two; Martinborough is less than 30 minutes’ drive away.

From Cross Creek, it’s also just 10km to Featherston where there’s accommodation along with several places to eat and some neat little shops. You can also catch a train back to Wellington from there.
 

Cross Creek—Ocean Beach

36km, Grade 3/intermediate, 2–3 hours

This mainly on-road section of trail takes riders through quiet farm country, along the shores of Lake Wairarapa and Lake Onoke to reach the shores of Palliser Bay. Lush pasture stretches out to the water’s edge. Shorebirds peck at paddocks. Sheep snuggle close in their flocks. Wind-bitten trees, including lone tī kōuka (Cabbage Tree), add striking silhouettes to the scene.

A handful of accommodation options are not only a good place to break the multi-day journey, but also offer a chance to dig down into the area’s fascinating history. Some of New Zealand’s earliest sheep stations were established around here; the cottage accommodation at historic Wairongomai Homestead offers window into this past.

This stretch is also a treat for bird-lovers, with the lakes, wetlands and ocean supporting populations of more than one hundred species, including rare ones such as Caspian Tern and Banded Dotterel. It’s worth considering a walk on to Onoke Spit, which you pass along the trail. But if you want to see more birds and learn more about them, check out Te Rakau Birding & Cabins who offer accommodation and tours.

Whether you’ve stayed overnight around here, or detoured into Wairarapa wine country, the next leg of the Remutaka Cycle Trail starts in earnest at Ocean Beach, a rugged stretch of shingle on the edge of the Cook Strait. 

Be sure to check the forecast before you start prepping for the next section. From here things can get pretty wild.
 

Ocean Beach—Orongorongo River

18km, Grade 3–4/ intermediate–advanced, 3–4 hours

The last section of trail is arguably the most scenic. But it’s also the most challenging, being fully exposed to southerlies whipping off the ocean, and northerlies barreling over hilltops and funneling down gullies. What’s more, heavy rains in previous days can make some streams impassable. The trail surface is often rocky and sandy. There are no shops or services, and virtually no cellphone coverage. Check the forecast and current trail conditions, make sure your bike is in good order, and pack food and clothing for all eventualities.

On a good day, you’ll wonder what all the fuss is about. Stark and rugged this place may be, but it is truly a sight to behold with its mountains plunging dramatically into the ocean.

Indeed, this coastline is riven with geological oddities, created by immense geological forces that raise the beaches out of the water with every big quake. Big weather, meanwhile, breaks the landmass down into rocks and scree. The largest rockslide you come across is named the Kotumu Fan – you’ll know it when you see it!

There’s plenty more to see along the way, from horses, birds and weird, windswept vegetation, to long-range views of South Island’s Kaikoura Ranges.

The southernmost point of the trail is Turakirae Head, home to hundreds of kekeno (NZ fur seals). (Please respect them by keeping at least 20m away.)

The trail ends at the Orongorongo River mouth, where a pre-booked shuttle can take the sting out of the 30km road-ride back to Petone.