Loop Walk

Loop Walk

Kaitoke Regional Park

4 Rankers Reviews

4 Face-to-Face

19 Hutt Valley

Your Nature Guide

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Marios Gavalas

Author And Researcher

Nau mai, haere mai

Nau mai, haere mai

I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.

I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!

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Information

Loop Walk

800 m return | 15 minutes return

Interpretation panels highlight the more salient species on the walk. The greenery is intense.

Walking Track

Access

Kaitoke Regional Park has a network of tracks to suit all abilities. It is well furnished with toilets, picnic areas and a campground. The main entrance is off SH2 at Waterworks Road, 12 km north of Upper Hutt. Pakuratahi Forks is a further 2 km, from where most tracks start.

The start of the track is signposted from Pakuratahi Forks parking area.

Track

Cross the swingbridge and follow the even metalled track through the lush podocarp/broadleaf forest.

Flora

In pre-European times the lower altitude slopes would have been smothered with a broadleaf forest on the alluvial terraces with totara, kahikatea, rimu and northern rata predominating. This forest remnant resembles closely the former glory of the lush forest that once was.

Polynesian History

In pre-European times Ngati Tara, a tribe descended from Whatonga, arrived in the Hutt Valley and cultivated small patches on the banks of the Hutt River. Later, Ngati Rangi and Ngati Ira settled the area. In 1819, a war party led by Te Raparaha overcame Ngati Ira in a battle at Pa Whakataka.
Kaitoke roughly translates as kai (food) and toke (worms). Apparently Maori journeying to the Wairarapa would camp in the area before crossing the Rimutakas. All they could find to eat were worms.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

Greater Wellington Regional Council

Council organisation

Location

North IslandWellington RegionHutt Valley

Categories

  • Activity__walking_and_trekkingWalking
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-41.0562337776754

175.193660163879

Latitude
-41.0562337776754
Longitude
175.193660163879

Nearby

Reviews

    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 2
    50%
    9/10 0
    0%
    8/10 0
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    7/10 1
    25%
    6/10 0
    0%
    5/10 1
    25%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 2.5/5

    It is a showplace of Lord of the Rings, but only an archway from the movie is left.

    Nice tracks in the park.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

  • 3.5/5

    Not much to see if you are looking for a familiar scene in Lord of the Rings but beautiful forest all the same.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 5.0/5

    Great tracks,

    Reviewed almost 13 years ago and experienced in November 2011