On-leadModerate
Butcher, Cattle Ridge, and Orongorongo Track Loop
Wellington · Loop
↑ 475 m gain↓ 475 m descenthigh 445 msteepest 27 %
DISTANCE11.1 km
ASCENT475 m
DURATION3.5–4 hr
STEEPEST27 %
ROUTELoop
RATING · HIKERS 4.5 · 192
DOG EFFORT3.9 /5 paws
PARKING50 m away
Nearest emergency vetWellington After Hours Veterinary Clinic, Wellington
04 473 7545
The route
Good to know
On the lead here. Keep it to two metres or less and watch for ground-nesting birds, as on most NZ tracks.
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 Butcher, Cattle Ridge, and Orongorongo Track Loop
In Wellington, Butcher, Cattle Ridge, and Orongorongo Track Loop runs 11.1 km as a loop.
Expect moderate going, with around 475 m of climb, pitching up to 27 % at its steepest, and takes about 3.5–4 hr to walk.
Along the way there are native forest, river frontage, big views, and wildflowers. Dogs are welcome here on the lead. Hikers rate it 4.5 / 5 across 192 reviews.