Dogs allowedHard
Mitre Peak Track
Tararua Forest Park · Wellington · Out & Back
↑ 656 m gain↓ 655 m descenthigh 1026 msteepest 52 %
DISTANCE6.1 km
ASCENT656 m
DURATION3.5–4 hr
STEEPEST52 %
ROUTEOut & Back
DOG EFFORT4.6 /5 paws
Dog-friendly walks near Tararua Forest ParkDirectionsApple MapsForecast at the trailheadDownload GPXSend the start point to your phone
This walk comes from licensed public walk data and is being progressively confirmed against the authorities. Signs on the day always win. Evidence: a hand-checked correction against the authority. How we check dog rules.
Nearest emergency vetMassey University Pet Emergency Centre (Te Pokapū Ohotata), Palmerston North
0800 738 363
The route
Good to know
Dogs are allowed here. Watch for ground-nesting birds and stock, and read the signs at the gate.
River swim spotsForest shade
Check before you go. DOC 1080 caution, no dogs advised until about January 2027. DOC's alert on the Mitre Peak Track page: bait went out by helicopter on 11 and 23 March and 19 May 2026, and a caution period is in place for approximately 8 months. DOC says visitors are advised not to take dogs into the area until the caution period has ended, and that 1080 is deadly to dogs. DOC alert, Predator control Tararua Forest Park (reviewed 21 May 2026)
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 Mitre Peak Track
This long track follows 6.1 km as an out-and-back, near Tararua Forest Park in Wellington.
It sits at the hard end and gains roughly 656 m, pitching up to 52 % at its steepest, and takes about 3.5–4 hr to walk.
The track takes in native forest, river frontage, and big views. Dogs are welcome here.
