Northern Start

Waikanae River Bridge, SH1

Southern End

Beach Rd, Paekakariki

Distance

22km

Time

6-7hr

Track Standard

Road margin   Footpath   Easy tramping track   Tramping track   Route   Mixed grade  

Description
(North to South)

An easy day’s walking after the rigours of Tararua tramping! The trail is virtually level walking for the whole 21km, taking in some of the Kapiti District’s icons – the Waikanae River, an estuary and scientific reserve, Kapiti Island in full view from the beach, Queen Elizabeth Park, and the distinctive cafes and local art outlets in Paraparaumu, Raumati and Paekakariki.

Waikanae River - 4.5km / 1¼hr

From the Waikanae Bridge take track down river on the true right bank (north)
Follow main track downstream for 4.5km.
Cross Otaihanga foot bridge (NB the second bridge).

Otaihanga,  Estuary & Scientific Reserve - 2.5km / ½hr

Exit bridge into Otaihanga Domain.
Immediately turn sharp right on river side of toilets.
Follow the true left bank (south side).
After 500m veer left to boardwalk and track through the Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve.
Ignore side tracks.  After 15min join an older section of  the Reserve Track that exits on to Manly Street. 
Turn right and follow grass verge for 5min skirting the lagoons.
Just before the houses turn right, leaving the verge to enter another section of the Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve.
Follow boardwalks over swamp, sand dunes and on to beach.


Paraparaumu Beach to Raumati South - 8.5km / 3hr

At beach turn left (south) by yellow Marine Reserve triangles.
Weather and tide permitting keep on beach heading south for 8km.
Walking along the beach is safe and accessible right to Queen Elizabeth Park except in extreme high tides; in which case use local roads running parallel with beach. All streams are bridged.
When near to high-rise apartments, you can divert to cafes at the boat launch area.

 
Queen Elizabeth Park - 3.5km / 1½hr

Follow undulating Coastal Track - the one nearest to the sea - for about 1.5km to picnic and toilet area.
Turn left (inland) onto sealed road for 100m.
Turn right at next road intersection and follow along another 100m before rejoining the coastal track.
Approx 1.8km on (track now sealed) veer right to cross footbridge.  Continue in front of Surf Life Saving Club to join north end of The Parade.


Paekakariki - 2km / ½hr

Continue along The Parade for 1.7km then turn left into Beach Road, Paekakariki's main street.
(The Te Araroa route continues right up Ames Street to the end, then north over the bridge alongside SH1 for about 20 metres to steps under the bridge. DO NOT cross SH1).

 

Potential Hazards

• Vehicles on road or track
• Tides, waves & rivers - safer at low tide . Will need to walk along road in certain conditions
• Small stream crossings
• Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
• Do not be tempted to take a short cut through the Waikanae Estuary, the sand can be very soft and dangerous at low tide

Description
(North to South)

An easy day’s walking after the rigours of Tararua tramping! The trail is virtually level walking for the whole 21km, taking in some of the Kapiti District’s icons – the Waikanae River, an estuary and scientific reserve, Kapiti Island in full view from the beach, Queen Elizabeth Park, and the distinctive cafes and local art outlets in Paraparaumu, Raumati and Paekakariki.

Waikanae River - 4.5km / 1¼hr

From the Waikanae Bridge take track down river on the true right bank (north)
Follow main track downstream for 4.5km.
Cross Otaihanga foot bridge (NB the second bridge).

Otaihanga,  Estuary & Scientific Reserve - 2.5km / ½hr

Exit bridge into Otaihanga Domain.
Immediately turn sharp right on river side of toilets.
Follow the true left bank (south side).
After 500m veer left to boardwalk and track through the Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve.
Ignore side tracks.  After 15min join an older section of  the Reserve Track that exits on to Manly Street. 
Turn right and follow grass verge for 5min skirting the lagoons.
Just before the houses turn right, leaving the verge to enter another section of the Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve.
Follow boardwalks over swamp, sand dunes and on to beach.


Paraparaumu Beach to Raumati South - 8.5km / 3hr

At beach turn left (south) by yellow Marine Reserve triangles.
Weather and tide permitting keep on beach heading south for 8km.
Walking along the beach is safe and accessible right to Queen Elizabeth Park except in extreme high tides; in which case use local roads running parallel with beach. All streams are bridged.
When near to high-rise apartments, you can divert to cafes at the boat launch area.

 
Queen Elizabeth Park - 3.5km / 1½hr

Follow undulating Coastal Track - the one nearest to the sea - for about 1.5km to picnic and toilet area.
Turn left (inland) onto sealed road for 100m.
Turn right at next road intersection and follow along another 100m before rejoining the coastal track.
Approx 1.8km on (track now sealed) veer right to cross footbridge.  Continue in front of Surf Life Saving Club to join north end of The Parade.


Paekakariki - 2km / ½hr

Continue along The Parade for 1.7km then turn left into Beach Road, Paekakariki's main street.
(The Te Araroa route continues right up Ames Street to the end, then north over the bridge alongside SH1 for about 20 metres to steps under the bridge. DO NOT cross SH1).

 

Downloads

  Download Map 1 (map072)

  Download Map 2 (map073)

  Download Trail Notes (Kapiti Coast)