Last Updated: 20th Nov 2024
Aro Valley / Tip Track loop
Tip Track, City to Sea Walkway
Submitted by Daniel Seller
Last Updated: 20th Nov 2024
Grunt Factor: 27 ?
Gnarl Factor: 20 ?
22.0km
955m
960m
Last Updated: 20th Nov 2024
Submitted by Daniel Seller
Last Updated: 20th Nov 2024
Grunt Factor: 27 ?
Gnarl Factor: 20 ?
22.0km
955m
960m
Urban fringe
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Sealed Road
Gravel Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +8.7%
Average Downhill Gradient: -8.7%
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3:30
Slow
2:30
Moderate
1:50
Fast
Wind your way up Transient Track from Aro Valley to Ashton Fitchett Drive, then pass some MTBs up Sawmill. Turn south along the Zealandia Fenceline track, before crossing the road and heading up Windmill. Wind your way along here until you pop out at the Turbine, for the sweeping Wellington views in the sweeping Wellington wind.
Head back down to the singletrack, continuing south along Carparts Extension, which becomes Barking Emu at a small side trail up to Hawkins Hill Road. Continue south, past a grassy knoll until the trail junction with the Tip Track and Red Rocks tracks.
For bonus vert, if you head right UP the Tip Track here, you can bag Hawkins Hill. Otherwise, turn left and bomb down the Tip Track – you’re basically halfway now…
At the bottom of the Tip Track, turn left up Happy Valley Road about 500m, to the sculptures at Tawatawa reserve. Through the gate, then zigzag up to the top (watch out for horses). Head across the grass to the yellow City to Sea Walkway signs – you’ll be following these now. Left down to the gate & road, then right down several sets of steps.
After skirting around Berhampore Golf Course, head down the road a little, past the nursery, then up past a playground & across Britomart Street. Around the sports fields, then up the steps and over a bit of a hill to the Cook Islands Society & Wellington Pipe Band halls, then up into the pine trees above Rugby League Park.
Cross Hutchison Road slightly to the north, then head up and over the hill (under a bridge) to Wellington Scottish Clubrooms. Cross the grass & turn left, through Prince of Wales Park. A few road / footpath detours around the water tank reconstruction will eventually bring you down to Brooklyn Road and Central Park.
Follow the wide, pine-needled paths down to the main entrance and water tap. After the tap, go up the steps to Ohiro Road. Just south, another City to Sea sign will lead you up to a large open grassy space near the community garden. The track around the bottom will lead you down some steps to Epuni Street. Head right down here, and back to Aro Valley for a well-earned snack.
Zealandia Fenceline with lots of native birds. Brooklyn Wind Turbine highest point in Wellington city - Hawkins Hill - with 360 degree views. Tip Track.
Public toilets are available at Aro Park and in Central Park, but I personally recommend buying a coffee and a treat at Aro Cafe and using theirs.
Usually there is parking along Aro Street, but not always right near the bottom of the trail - in good weather these are really popular trails with runners, MTBers, and walkers. As well as Aro Street, there may be parking in Holloway Road, or Epuni Street, or some of the other side streets off Aro Street. There are bus stops on Aro Street, for the #25 Highbury bus. Most of the other bus routes require a bit of a walk into town.
2 km
4 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
The City to Sea Walkway section between Tawatawa Reserve & Central Park crosses many other tracks, but is generally well sign-posted.
Generally good.
Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Water taps at Waimapihi Reserve (start/end), as well as Central Park. Not aware of any other publicly available water points. Close to residential areas much of second half, including Berhampore shops, Mt Cook.
Barking Emu & Tip Track very exposed, so risky in high winds. Also loose stones on track, so would be slippery in rain.
Coming down Tip Track can be slippery. Multiple busy road crossings on second half - Happy Valley Road, Britomart Street, Hutchison Road, Brooklyn Road
Aro Cafe
Aro village
https://arocafe.co.nz/
Close to start & end of trail, outside tables, great food & coffee
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Aro Valley / Tip Track loop
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Really enjoyed this loop. Note that the GPS route starts and ends a little further down than the Waimapihi reserve (not that it matters where you start and end on the loop). A little tricky to navigate while running hard on the City to Sea walkway. Great views of Wellington and some pretty cool single track!
September 15
Compared to some other trails that wind through the Wellington green belt, I found this run easy to navigate. It is all very runnable and would have some great views on a good day. I ran it in the clouds so it was eerie and fun.
Note, the trail starts on the main street, rather than at Waimapihi reserve as the trail notes imply.
March 26, 2024
Wonderful loop of various trails, taking in a mix of single trail and wider tracks, like the infamous Tip Track! I ran this in the opposite direction to the map, climbing up the Tip Track and then enjoying the winding descent through the Waimapihi Reserve. The blend of sweeping vistas mixed with bush lined trails and interludes of city suburbs, offers so much variety.
March 13, 2024
Superb loop. Enjoyed the sawmill and windmill tracks, so much more enjoyable than going up the fence line.
February 4, 2024
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.
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