Trial system to record track conditions to help people, families, groups and individuals get outdoors.
Our trial is using the family, walking and MTB (Mountain Bike) friendly tracks at the end of Kaponga Street, Wainuiomata. Discussion is welcome on how to expand this to other areas.
Times are family walking times.
Wellington – Lower Hutt – Wainuiomata
Kaponga Street Tracks – Kaponga Street, Parkway, Wainuiomata
Current alerts: None.
Current condition: Checked as per following.
Nearest known first aider: 18 Kaponga Street (in an emergency always dial 111)
Rubbish: No bins. Please ensure you always carry out your own rubbish.
Background: The track is maintained by track enthusiasts and local walking communities. The track starts well suited to all grades of walkers and biking. It is used by dog walkers (on lead,) school groups, casual walkers (all ages,) families, casual bikers (first stages below) and leads to other tracks, hiking and MTB routes.
Section 1: Glow Worm Bridge
- Kaponga Street to first bridge/fork. Ten minutes each way. Condition checked every 1-3 days)
This is suitable to all grades of walkers and bikers. At the wooden bridge you can choose to turn left or right:
Highlight: Families and interest groups might be interested in a ‘Glow Worm’ night trek along this section.
Section 2: Parkway Park
- First Bridge to Parkway Park. Allow 20-30 minutes for this section (checked by us monthly)
Continue leftwards from the Glow Worm bridge and then when you get to the second fork, turn left again and you will end up at Parkway Park. From there it is about a ten – fifteen minute walk back to Kaponga Street. This is a good option for school groups, families out on an adventure, running, biking, and as a small cross country option (e.g. for scouts, school)
Section 2a: Hilltop
- First bridge to Ridge (top of wainuiomata hills) Allow 40 minutes each way. Maintained by other.
From the Glow Worm bridge, turn left. At the very next fork in the track turn right along the ridge track. This track is suited to medium fitness groups, MTB, hikers, walking enthusiasts. This leads to the ridge tracks along the Lower Hutt hills with other options (to be noted later.)
Highlight: You will end up on the tracks that lead to the MTB tracks at Parkway Park and also to the Wainuiomata hilltop walking bridge over the Wainuiomata Road, leading to the eastern bay tracks.
Section 3: Second Bridge. 800m each way (checked by us weekly)
Just before the Glow Worm bridge, turn right and you will continue on an easy walk around the hillside towards the second wooden bridge. The total distance from the start of Part 1 to the second bridge (Part 2a) is about 1.2 Km. It is well suited for casual biking, walking, running and all ages.
Highlight: This area contains secret places. Watch for gremlins xD
Section 3a: Second bridge to Parkway Rise hillside. Approx 1.5Km each way. Maintained by other.
From the second bridge, continue on for about 2 Km around the inner Wainuiomata hillside. It is entirely suited to all groups as above. Note, we have not graded which option is best at the end of this as it ends at the multi-tracked Parkway Rise area. To be noted later. However, it is well suited to keen walkers and individuals as far as the end. The total time it would take to walk from Kaponga Street, to the end of this section and back wound be about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Highlight: The above tracks contain some of the best sightings of varied native flora in the Wellington Region the tracks noted as suitable for families are easy walks. We have also walked this track at night and the tracks to hilltop.
