Dogs allowedHard
Burtton's Track (Scotts Road to Mangahao Road)
Palmerston North · Manawatū-Whanganui · Point to Point
↑ 462 m gain↓ 478 m descenthigh 506 msteepest 32 %
DISTANCE17.4 km
ASCENT462 m
DURATION5.5–6 hr
STEEPEST32 %
ROUTEPoint to Point
RATING · WALKERS 4.0 · 7
DOG EFFORT4.4 /5 paws
Dog-friendly walks near Palmerston NorthDirectionsApple MapsForecast at the trailheadDownload GPXSend the start point to your phone
The dog rule shown here is resolved against the council zone this walk sits in. Route details come from licensed public walk data. Evidence: the council’s own mapped rule zone. How we check dog rules.
Nearest emergency vetMassey University Pet Emergency Centre (Te Pokapū Ohotata), Palmerston North
0800 738 363
The route
Good to know
Dogs are allowed here. Keep them on the lead, watch for ground-nesting birds and stock, and read the signs at the gate.
Palmerston North City Council maps this area as dogs allowed at GORDON KEAR FOREST. Council zones can be tight, and the bylaw sets its own dog rules inside them, so check the local signs on the day. How we check dog rules.
River swim spotsForest shade
Check the water before the dog swims. Toxic algae blooms in NZ rivers and lakes can kill a dog within hours. Scan the LAWA water quality map in warm months and keep dogs away from dark slime on rocks.
About Burtton's Track (Scotts Road to Mangahao Road)
This big track follows 17.4 km as a point-to-point, near Palmerston North in Manawatū-Whanganui.
Graded hard, it climbs about 462 m overall, pitching up to 32 % at its steepest, and takes about 5.5–6 hr to walk.
The track takes in native forest and river frontage. Dogs are allowed here, on the lead. Walkers rate it 4.0 / 5 across 7 reviews.