Pākuratahi Forest

Remutaka Cycle Trail - Rail Trail section

Running from Kaitoke to Summit, the Remutaka Cycle Trail links with the DOC-managed Incline down to Cross Creek in the Wairarapa. Enjoy swimming and fishing in the nearby Pākuratahi River and picnic or camp in the pleasant surrounds of Ladle Bend and Summit. Toilets are located at the Kaitoke and Cross Creek entrances, at Summit and at the historic Cross Creek town site.

Find out more at Find Your Wild

Points of Interest 

• Munitions Bend bridge - Greater Wellington and the Silverstream Railway Trust installed a footbridge with rails and sleepers running alongside it in 2003
• Pākuratahi Tunnel - built in 1876 and 73m long, this was the first concrete block structure in New Zealand
• Remutaka Tunnel ventilation shaft - 1955; 2.7m diameter and 116m deep
• Pākuratahi Bridge - 1876; 28m long, this is a "Howe" truss bridge. It is the oldest truss bridge in New Zealand, and was rebuilt in 1910 after a fire. Greater Wellington restored the bridge in 2001.
• Ladle Bend Creek Bridge - 1875; 70m long; this is New Zealand's second oldest simple beam (under strutted) bridge. It has stone abutments and a central pier. Greater Wellington restored this bridge in 2002.
• Summit Yards - this was the site of 5 cottages, a signal box, water tank, ash pit, turntable (1943) and old locomotive remnants (not from "Fell" engines). Since 2000 there has been significant landscaping and planting work carried out in this area.
• Summit Tunnel - dating from 1877, this is 584m long, and was resurfaced together with the rest of the Rail Trail in 1999. The 1 in 15 gradient used for the Fell engines started part way through this tunnel.
• Siberia tunnel -1878, 108m long
• Horseshoe "Siberia" gully - A large earth embankment on a sweeping 100m radius curve filled the gully from 1876 to 1967 when it collapsed in a massive washout. The concrete intake shaft installed to collect and divert the stream remains standing in the gully.
• Price's Tunnel - 1875-76. 98m long, this has a 1 in 15 grade on an "S" curve
• Cross Creek Station - A registered Historic Site, this was once occupied by several cottages, a hall, school, library, locomotive depot and a turntable.
• Following your trip you may like to visit Featherston's Fell Museum which houses the rebuilt H 199 - the only remaining Fell engine from the six that serviced the Remutaka Incline for 77 years.

Tunnel Gully

Nestled at the foot of Mount Climie (830 m) north of Upper Hutt, Tunnel Gully Recreation Area is popular for picnics, mountain biking and walking through the remnant native bush. There is plenty of parking, and flush toilets are provided.

Named for its link with the historic Remutaka Railway between Wellington and the Wairarapa, Tunnel Gully features the 253m long Mangaroa Tunnel, built between 1875 and 1877. The tunnel’s working life ended in November 1955 when the new Remutaka Tunnel was opened.  Tunnel Gully is now a popular spot for walking and tramping, mountain biking, and picnicking.

The shallow water of Collins Stream at the Tunnel Gully Recreation Area is ideal for paddling and swimming for young children. Stream water should be boiled before drinking.

Find out more at Find Your Wild

Walking only tracks

Tane's Track - Upper Tane's Track in Tunnel Gully 

• Medium
• 1 hour

Start at the lower picnic area and take the left-hand branch of the track through tall rimu, matai, kahikatea and tawa forest. Cross the road which once formed the old railway line, then climb through hard and black beech forest to Collins Stream and a picturesque waterfall. During the descent to the starting point you cross the Mt Climie access road then pass a grove of eucalyptus trees. This area was once the campsite for workers building the nearby Mangaroa Railway Tunnel, which was completed in 1877.

From the tunnel it is a short walk through podocarp/tawa bush back to the lower picnic area.

This walk is suitable for single mountain buggies.

Download a map of this walk: 

Tane's track map

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date_range Published 11 May 2022

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Old Railway Line

• Easy
• 2km one way to end of Station Drive

Start at the top carpark and follow the old railway line formation through native bush and exotic forest plantations towards Kaitoke. There are several forestry tracks leading off this route for more adventurous and experienced riders to explore, including the track to the Remutaka Cycle Trail via Goat Rock (579m).

To reach Kaitoke Regional Park's Te Marua area, turn left where indicated and ride up the hill towards the gate and service road. Cross the road and follow the track through the underpass and down Kaitoke Hill. Return the same way, via the Pylon Loop Track or through Plateau Village.

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Know before you go

Track	Distance & time	Details
Remutaka Cycle Trail - Rail Trail section	2 to 4 hours / 18 km one way	Running from Kaitoke, the Remutaka Cycle Trail links with the DOC-managed Remutaka Incline down to Cross Creek in the Wairarapa. Enjoy swimming and fishing in the nearby Pākuratahi River and picnic or camp in the pleasant surrounds of Ladle Bend and Summit. Toilets are located at the Kaitoke and Cross Creek entrances, at Summit and at the historic Cross Creek town site. Find out more at Find Your Wild
Te Marua Loop	2 hours (13 km)	Follow Plateau Road then Maymorn Road from Te Marua to the Maymorn railway bridge. Go under the bridge and turn left to enter the Pākuratahi Forest at Maymorn beside the railway line. Climb to the historic Mangaroa Tunnel then go through the tunnel, along a short stretch then through the steel gate to the "Old Railway Line". Continue around 3km and turn left towards SH2. Turn left on the service road then cross to the highway underpass which leads to Kaitoke Regional Park. Take on some fun roller coasters on the way down Kaitoke Hill to a gate, then it's a sealed road to the park entrance. Cross the highway with care and return to the start point.
Tunnel Track	1 hour (3km) return	A short circular loop leading from the top carpark at Tunnel Gully part way up Mt Climie before descending a forestry track and returning via the Mangaroa Tunnel.
Mt Climie	1 to 3 hours (12km)	From the Tunnel Gully top carpark, this route follows the access road up Mt Climie - a 6km climb in low gear - for great views of the Hutt Valley, Wellington and Wairarapa on a clear day. Return the same way, looking out for vehicles, walkers or other cyclists. Good fitness essential!

NtrailZ Mountain Bike Tracks

There are numerous graded mountainbike tracks ranging from beginners to advanced available in the park thanks to the work of our buddies at NtrailZ. Find out about the various options.

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Update – October 2024

From October, an aerial application of 1080 will be completed by OSPRI in the Northern Remutaka Ranges, covering Pākuratahi Forest.

Dog walking will be prohibited or restricted in parts of Tunnel Gully, Mt Climie and the Remutaka Cycle Trail for up to six months or until notified otherwise. There will be warning signs in place to let you know when you are near a restricted area.

For more information, visit the 1080 operations webpage.

Pākuratahi Forest is dog friendly. Dogs may be off-leash, except on Tane's Track, where they must be on a leash. 

Pākuratahi Forest dog rules

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date_range Published 11 Nov 2022

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There are good views and hill riding opportunities available on tracks through the pine plantation in the park.

The SH2 underpass connects Kaitoke Regional Park to rides in Pākuratahi Forest and Te Marua.

There is a float parking and turning area available off Kaitoke Loop Road. No horse riding is permitted on Tane’s Track or the Mt Climie access road beyond Maymorn fire break track.

Apply for permit

Because there are several locked gates along the tracks and to parking areas, you need to pre-arrange a horse-riding permit and keys:

Apply online 

When you have a permit you can collect keys from our Upper Hutt office.

Safety in the forest

Weather conditions can change quickly and much of the area does not have cellphone coverage so please:

• Check the weather forecast
• Wear strong lace up footwear and carry warm and waterproof clothing and enough food and water for your trip
• Carry sun protection and a first aid kit
• Take a torch for the tunnel
• Plan your route and let someone know of your intentions
• Be aware that tracks are shared with pedestrians and mountain bikers. Show consideration to other users

Things to keep in mind

• Follow the parks care code
• Dismount and lead your horse when going through the Mangaroa Tunnel and the Kaitoke Hill underpass
• Do not ride on:
  • Tane's Track
  • Mt Climie access road beyond Maymorn firebreak track
  • Tunnel Gully lower picnic area
  • Do not ride past the Pākuratahi Tunnel along the Rail Trail
• Please do not bring horse floats through Tunnel Gully plateau road entrance
• Check for any logging operations

Tracks

Events

Please contact the ranger at forest.ranger@gw.govt.nz prior to any horse riding events to discuss parking areas and track usage. If you want to use both Pākuratahi and Kaitoke, contact the Upper Hutt office in the first instance.

About the area

Tunnel Gully Recreation Area sits at the foot of Mt Climie (830m) in the Pākuratahi Forest north of Upper Hutt. Named for its link with the historic Remutaka Railway between Wellington and the Wairarapa, it features the 221m long Mangaroa Tunnel. Closed to trains in 1955, the tunnel now provides a recreation link between Tunnel Gully and Maymorn.

The historic railway followed what now forms Station Drive, a metalled track joining the link to Kaitoke Regional Park. It also leads to a more challenging access track to the Remutaka Rail Trail via Goat Rock (579m). Please note you will be returning the same way if you ride up this track. There is a float parking and turning area available off Kaitoke Loop behind locked gates.

The Remutaka Rail Trail offers access to the Pākuratahi River and several picnic spots. Horses are not permitted in the Pākuratahi Tunnel. There is no horse riding access to the Remutaka Rail Trail via the main entrance.

Kaitoke Regional Park’s Te Marua entrance is dominated by the Stuart Macaskill water storage lakes. There are good views and hill riding opportunities available on tracks through the pine plantation.

Ecology

Much of the horse riding tracks pass through pine plantation and regenerating native bush. Tunnel Gully itself features mature podocarp/ tawa forest, with hard and black beech found at higher altitudes. The two picnic areas are shaded by stands of eucalyptus trees.

The variety in vegetation offers a habitat for many insects and birds. The bellbird, fantail, tui, kereru and even the occasional North Island kaka are attracted to the rich food source.

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Enjoy swimming and fishing in the nearby Pākuratahi River.

The shallow water of Collins Stream at the Tunnel Gully Recreation Area is ideal for paddling and swimming for young children. Stream water should be boiled before drinking.

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Stretch out your enjoyment of the Remutaka Cycle Trail by camping overnight at the Summit, or the camping area by the Pākuratahi River along from Ladle Bend, just follow the signs. Be careful not to camp under the pine trees. (You can also camp at Cross Creek, but this lies outside the regional park in DOC land.)

Camping is free and you are welcome to bring in your portable gas stove, but there are no fires in the park.

Facilities

• Flush toilets at the Summit

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Update – October 2024

From October, an aerial application of 1080 will be completed by OSPRI in the Northern Remutaka Ranges, covering Pākuratahi Forest.

Hunting will be prohibited at Tunnel Gully, Mt Climie and the Remutaka Cycle Trail until further notice.

Professional ground and aerial ungulate control is undertaken in this area on a regular basis for protecting the biodiversity values of the ecosystem. 

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So much of the work done in the regional parks wouldn't be possible without the help of people in our communities. If you want to contribute to the care of Pākuratahi Forest, you can join one of our community groups.

Volunteering in our parks

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Until a large earthquake in 1855, Te Awakairangi (the Hutt River) was navigable by canoe up to Te Marua where Ngāti Ira had their Whakataka pa. From there Māori crossed to the Pākuratahi River flats as they travelled between Te Whanganui a Tara (the Hutt Valley) and Wairarapa via Remutaka Pass.

The colonial government set about establishing road and rail links between the port of Wellington and the fertile plains of the Wairarapa from the mid-1800s. The road, now State Highway 2, followed the Māori route via Remutaka Pass. For the railway, a route up the Pākuratahi Valley was chosen. It had a gentle gradient on the Pākuratahi side of the Remutaka hills, but a sharp 1:15 descent down into the Wairarapa. This is the steepest section of the main line railway ever built in New Zealand. A ‘friction-drive” system of raised rails and engines designed by English engineer John Barraclough Fell was used along it. Six Fell locomotives worked this incline for 77 years (1878-1955). Eventually the high operating costs, slow speeds and the need to replace the hard working Fells led to the building of an 8.8km tunnel under the hills which opened in 1955.

The redundant railway lines were removed but the pathway, bridges and tunnels were left in place. Over time, public use of the historic route grew and by the 1980’s it had become a popular walkway. Formally opened in 1987, the Remutaka Cycle Trail is managed by Greater Wellington from Kaitoke to the summit Yards and by the Department of Conservation on the incline from Summit to Cross Creek.

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