-40.88031, 175.22009
Dogs allowedEasy

Fenceline Walk

Waikanae · Wellington

0.511.522.7 km300 m
↑ 147 m gain↓ 125 m descenthigh 300 msteepest 60 %
DISTANCE2.7 km
ASCENT147 m
DURATION47m
STEEPEST60 %

Route and dog-access details for this walk come from the Department of Conservation, licensed CC BY 4.0. DOC’s own wording: “Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules. That is the Department of Conservation's current wording on its own page for this track, in the Ōtaki Forks area of Tararua Forest Park”. Evidence: a hand-checked correction against the authority. How we check dog rules.

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The route

Good to know

Dogs are allowed here. Watch for ground-nesting birds and stock, and read the signs at the gate.

Usually a quiet track
Check before you go. DOC has the Fenceline Walk loop closed. Its alert says the loop track is closed due to slips, and that it is still possible to get on to the Puketea Track from here. Check DOC's page for the reopening before you drive out to the Forks. DOC alert, Fenceline Walk closed but access to Pukeatua Track still possible (reviewed 23 July 2026)
Check before you go. DOC 1080 caution, no dogs advised until about January 2027. DOC's alert on the Fenceline Walk page: DOC and OSPRI distributed toxic cereal bait pellets by helicopter in this part of Tararua Forest Park, most recently on 19 May 2026. A caution period is in place for approximately 8 months. Visitors are advised not to take dogs into the area until the caution period has ended. 1080 is deadly to dogs. DOC alert, Predator control Tararua Forest Park (reviewed 21 May 2026)

About Fenceline Walk

This moderate-length walk follows 2.7 km, near Waikanae in Wellington.

An easy short walk above the Otaki Forks campsite in Tararua Forest Park, passing through regenerating forest with views over the Waiotauru Valley; it also forms a section of the Te Araroa Trail. The track crosses a slip about 10 minutes from the carpark, so care is needed there. Fenceline Walk loops through the Ōtaki Forks area of Tararua Forest Park, and the track forms part of Te Araroa Trail. DOC grades it an easy to intermediate walking track and allows 1 hr 30 min to 2 hr for it, which is longer than our measured trace suggests, so leave the time. The dog rule here is DOC's own, off its track page: dogs allowed, kept under control at all times, with the usual other pets on conservation land rules.

Expect easy going, with around 147 m of climb, pitching up to 60 % at its steepest, and takes about 47m to walk.

Dogs are welcome here.

Stay nearby

Dog-friendly places to sleep within 25 km of the trailhead, each one with the distance shown. Sort out the stay, then walk.

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Can I take my dog on Fenceline Walk?

Yes, dogs are welcome on Fenceline Walk. DOC's own wording for this track: "Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules. That is the Department of Conservation's current wording on its own page for this track, in the Ōtaki Forks area of Tararua Forest Park".

How long is Fenceline Walk?

Fenceline Walk is 2.7 km with roughly 147 m of climb and takes about 47m.

Walks nearby

The closest dog-friendly tracks to this trailhead, by straight-line distance.

HardŌtaki
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Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
EasyŌtaki
3.0 km↑100 m46 min
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Easy.

More in Wellington

HardWellington
12 km↑449 m4–4.5 hr★4.4 rating
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Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
ModerateWellington
6.9 km↑258 m2–2.5 hr★3.9 rating
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Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Moderate.

See every dog-friendly track in Wellington →

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