Five Mile Loop and Middle Ridge Track
Wellington · Loop
This walk comes from licensed public walk data and is being progressively confirmed against the authorities. Signs on the day always win. DOC’s own wording: “DOC's dog access page for Remutaka Forest Park puts the whole valley on a lead: "The entire Catchpool Valley from its entrance at Coast Road to the upper car park, including all walks and tracks, picnic and camping areas except for designated 'dog exercise area'." This track starts and stays inside that boundary, so the lead is on for all of it. The one spot in the valley where a dog may be off lead is the marked exercise area between the road and Catchpool Stream opposite the visitor centre”. Evidence: the rule-setter’s own published wording. How we check dog rules.
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.
About Five Mile Loop and Middle Ridge Track
Five Mile Loop and Middle Ridge Track covers 3.4 km, in Wellington, walked as a loop.
It sits at the moderate end and gains roughly 152 m, pitching up to 37 % at its steepest, and takes about 1–1.5 hr to walk.
The track takes in native forest, river frontage, wildflowers, and wildlife. Dogs are allowed here, on the lead. Walkers rate it 4.4 / 5 across 21 reviews.