Last Updated: 26th Sep 2024
Eastern Tawa Reserves
Submitted by Richele McKenzie
Last Updated: 26th Sep 2024
Grunt Factor: 7 ?
Gnarl Factor: 17 ?
5.3km
285m
285m
163m
Last Updated: 26th Sep 2024
Submitted by Richele McKenzie
Last Updated: 26th Sep 2024
Grunt Factor: 7 ?
Gnarl Factor: 17 ?
5.3km
285m
285m
163m
Urban fringe
Loop
Undulating, small hills only
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Open farmlands
Sealed Road
Easy Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +10.6%
Average Downhill Gradient: -10.6%
Login as a VIP to see the trailhead information.
50:00
Slow
40:00
Moderate
30
Fast
Take the left hand trail and follow until you come to an arrow pointing right (approx 200m). Ignore and carry on straight, following the main trail (ignoring another smaller left hand trail) until it gets to Bing Lucas drive.
Depending on the time of year you may need to push through some very long grass just before you get to the road.
Turn right at the road and head down to the right of way that has a sign saying private road with pedestrian access to Woodburn Reserve (just over 1km from the start).
Once you get to the end of the private road continue along the narrow, steep accessway between paddocks and turn right once you get to the native bush trail.
Continue straight to follow the loop track (this heads south then veers north). At approx 3.3km turn left, through a gate, past some alpacas, coming out at a lower part of Bing Lucas Drive. Run uphill, along the grass verge until you get back to the track down to Wilf Mexted Reserve.
Follow back the way you came, except this time when you see the arrow turn left and follow it down through the main part of the reserve until you emerge at the entrance.
Wilf Mexted Reserve contains a remnant of the original forest that covered Tawa before the arrival of Europeans. The dominant tree species in the reserve are tawa and kohekohe, which form the forest canopy. Other species include kahikatea, miro, rewarewa and pukatea. Woodburn Reserve covers about five hectares of bush-covered slopes in Woodburn, and is an important ecological area.
Willowbank Reserve, 16 Boscobel Lane, Tawa.
Plenty of roadside parking available. Trains available from Wellington Station. Get off at Linden Station.
5 km
8 minutes
Yes
No
Moderate.
Have a look at the map of Wilf Mexted reserve at the start. You will follow the left hand tracks at the beginning, coming back along the rest of the loop at the end of the trail.
Perfect throughout.
Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Water for dogs only.
The steep accessway to Woodman Reserve may get very slippery after rain.
If you suffer from skin allergies wear long pants as the grass can get very overgrown.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Eastern Tawa Reserves
As a VIP member you can record private notes for this trail, see all of your times and more.
Already have an account? Login now
Gnarly little trail, a Richele classic. Nice to do it on a clear calm day, bit wet underfoot with the dew. I think it discriminates against tall people in that lower reserve though, I spent a lot of time stopping under the branches lol
April 19, 2022
For a bit more distance I ran down to both road entrances of Woodburn Reserve this time, bringing the trail up to 7km.
February 9, 2022
Send to your phone
Scan the below QR code to open this trail on your phone.
Tip: position the QR code in your phone camera screen.
