-41.20920, 174.81716
Dogs allowedEasy

Lawson's Track

Wellington · Out & Back

1234.1 km199 m
↑ 132 m gain↓ 134 m descenthigh 199 msteepest 16 %
DISTANCE4.2 km
ASCENT132 m
DURATION1–1.5 hr
STEEPEST16 %
ROUTEOut & Back
RATING · WALKERS 4.1 · 47
DOG EFFORT2.6 /5 paws
PARKING20 m away

This walk comes from licensed public walk data and is being progressively confirmed against the authorities. Signs on the day always win. Evidence: inferred from the licensed data only. Walked it and read the sign? Send us the rule and this line retires. How we check dog rules.

Nearest emergency vetWellington After Hours Veterinary Clinic, Wellington~5 min drive · after-hours (nights+weekends)
04 473 7545
The route

Good to know

Nobody we read prohibits dogs here, but no rule-setter publishes wording for this track by name, so the district-wide rule is what applies. Keep the lead handy, read the signs at the gate, and give ground-nesting birds and stock their room.

River swim spotsForest shadeGood with kids
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 Lawson's Track

Lawson's Track covers 4.2 km, in Wellington, walked as an out-and-back.

It sits at the easy end and gains roughly 132 m, pitching up to 16 % at its steepest, and takes about 1–1.5 hr to walk.

Walkers come for native forest, river frontage, wildflowers, and historic sites. Nobody we read prohibits dogs here, but no rule-setter publishes wording for this track by name, so the district-wide rule is what applies. Keep the lead handy and read the signs at the gate. Walkers rate it 4.1 / 5 across 47 reviews.

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 Lawson's Track?

Probably, and here is exactly what we know. No authority publishes dog wording for Lawson's Track by name, so this one rests on the licensed walk data and the district-wide rule rather than a rule-setter's own words. Nobody we read prohibits dogs here, but that is not the same as a rule saying yes, so keep the lead handy and let the signs at the gate decide.

How long is Lawson's Track?

Lawson's Track is 4.2 km with roughly 132 m of climb and takes about 1–1.5 hr.

Is there water for my dog to swim on Lawson's Track?

Yes, the track has river access where a dog can cool off. In warm months check the LAWA water quality map for toxic algae warnings first.

Are there dog-friendly campsites near Lawson's Track?

Yes. The closest is Catchpool Valley Campsite, about 18 km away, and the track page lists more under Stay nearby. Every campsite shows its dog rules.

Walks nearby

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

EasyWellington
0.5 km↑7 mabout 7 min★4.7 rating
Good with kids
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Easy.

More in Wellington

ModerateUpper Hutt
14 km↑342 m4–4.5 hr★3.8 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Moderate.
ModerateUpper Hutt
8.0 km↑230 m2–2.5 hr★4.1 rating
Swim spotShadeSealed underfoot
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Moderate.
ModerateWellington
0.8 km↑61 mabout 20 min★3.1 rating
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Moderate.
ModeratePorirua
3.5 km↑133 m1–1.5 hr★4.6 rating
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Moderate.

See every dog-friendly track in Wellington →

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