Nga Taonga Nature Walk
Walking track
Time:
30 min to Catchpool Valley road
Getting there
Take the Coast Road to Catchpool Valley, 12 km south of Wainuiomata in the Hutt Valley. Nga Taonga Trail begins in the clearing beside the Graces Stream footbridge.
About the area
Catchpool Valley is the most popular entrance to Rimutaka Forest Park. It includes Orongorongo Valley and its booked huts.
In the Rimutaka Forest Park you can enjoy some of Wellington's finest mountain biking, not to mention the native birdlife and walking tracks.
Description
The Nga Taonga Nature Walk begins just beyond the bridge across Catchpool Stream. The walk is of easy grade and loops back onto the road just 5 minutes walk down valley. The Maori name is a shortened version of Nga Taonga o te Ngahere (“The Treasures of the Forest”), referring to the use of the walk for identifying plants of traditional cultural use to Maori people. Along the walk you'll find information signs describing the forest plant life in the Catchpool Valley.
Plan and prepare
The gates at Coast Road close at dusk and reopen at 8.00 am.
What to expect on a walking track:
- Easy to moderate walking from a few minutes to a day
- Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy
- Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities
- Clearly sign posted. Stream and river crossings are bridged
- Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots required