Urban fringe
Loop
Very hilly
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Open ridges/tops
Easy Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +10.0%
Average Downhill Gradient: -10.1%
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1:10
Slow
0:55
Moderate
0:40
Fast
Run clockwise for an excellent uphill stair workout to the lookout, followed by a gentle downhill experience on Te Ara Utiwai. Anticlockwise you run up Te Ara Utiwai to the lookout, then head down the Colonial Knob Walkway for knee-jarring stairs. Times will vary depending on which option you take. This is a good introduction for Wild Things who are not quite ready for the All the Hills trail.
Colonial Knob Scenic Reserve and the adjacent Porirua Scenic Reserve protect the most significant area of native forest left in the Tawa–Porirua Basin. Excellent views from the lookout.
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
There is a carpark for approx 12 cars, otherwise plenty of roadside parking.
2 km
5 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
The tracks are signposted at the top and bottom of the hill.
Generally good.
Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Toilets by Elsdon Youth Camp are available for public use.
The lookout can be exposed to cold winds.
The stairs can be slippery when wet.
Keep alert for mountain bikes on Te Ara Utiwai.
Columbus Coffee
Mitre 10 Mega, 2 Semple Street, Porirua
Good coffee and cake.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
Runs in either direction qualify for FKTs.
You and Colonial Knob Ultimate Stair Workout
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This course is actually longer than I’ve measured - it’s a bit of a GPS black hole.
March 22, 2022
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.