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Dogs allowedModerate

Manawatu River Track

Palmerston North · Manawatū-Whanganui · Point to Point

↑ 35 m gain↓ 24 m descenthigh 41 msteepest 10 %

DISTANCE10.3 km

ASCENT35 m

DURATION2–2.5 hr

STEEPEST10 %

ROUTEPoint to Point

RATING · WALKERS 4.6 · 69

DOG EFFORT2.5 /5 paws

PARKING40 m away

Dog-friendly walks near Palmerston North Directions Apple Maps Forecast at the trailhead Download GPX Send the start point to your phone

The base walk data and the mapped council zone here read differently, and the council bylaw wins: follow the zone note above and the signs on the day. 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~5 min drive · 24/7

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 Ahimate Reserve. 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 spotsOpen track, carry water for the dogPaw-friendly sealed surfaceGood 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 Manawatu River Track

Manawatu River Track covers 10.3 km, near Palmerston North in Manawatū-Whanganui, walked as a point-to-point.

It sits at the moderate end and gains roughly 35 m, pitching up to 10 % at its steepest, and takes about 2–2.5 hr to walk.

Walkers come for river frontage. Dogs are allowed here, on the lead. Walkers rate it 4.6 / 5 across 69 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.

Stay & walk

Carnival Park

22.1 km away · Dogs welcomeCampground details →

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Can I take my dog on Manawatu River Track?

Yes. Dogs are welcome on Manawatu River Track, and Palmerston North City Council maps this spot in its own dog control data, so the council bylaw is the authority here.

How long is Manawatu River Track?

Manawatu River Track is 10.3 km with roughly 35 m of climb and takes about 2–2.5 hr.

Is there water for my dog to swim on Manawatu River 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.

From the pack

Walked and logged 1 time by the pack.

Walks nearby

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

Mangaone Stream Pathway

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9.8 km↑13 m2–2.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Bledisloe Park Loop Walk

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2.4 km↑8 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Bledisloe to Old West Road

ModeratePalmerston North

6.0 km↑90 m1.5–2 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Victoria Esplanade Loop Walk

EasyPalmerston North

1.4 km↑3 mabout 18 min★4.3 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

More in Manawatū-Whanganui

Ohinetonga Track

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4.3 km↑136 m1–1.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Old West Road To Atawhai Park

ModeratePalmerston North

3.9 km↑67 m1–1.5 hr

Swim spotShade

Ongarue River Walk

EasyTaumarunui

2.3 km↑11 m0.5–1 hr★3.5 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Pari Reserve Walkway

EasyPalmerston North

1.1 km↑10 mabout 15 min

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

See every dog-friendly track in Manawatū-Whanganui →

Log this walk+89 XP

Save and Been here stay on this device, no account needed, and show up on your walks. Logging on the live map plants Banks’ paw on the trailhead; prove the walk with a photo of your dog and it scores on the leaderboard.