On-leadHard
Tararua Southern Crossing: Otaki Forks to Field Hut
Otaki · Wellington · Point to Point
↑ 806 m gain↓ 805 m descenthigh 862 msteepest 35 %
DISTANCE6.4 km
ASCENT806 m
DURATION2.5–3 hr
STEEPEST35 %
ROUTEPoint to Point
RATING · HIKERS 4.7 · 30
DOG EFFORT4.6 /5 paws
PARKING30 m away
Nearest emergency vetWellington After Hours Veterinary Clinic, Wellington
04 473 7545
The route
Good to know
On the lead here. Keep it to two metres or less and watch for ground-nesting birds, as on most NZ tracks.
River swim spotsForest shade
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 Tararua Southern Crossing: Otaki Forks to Field Hut
This long track follows 6.4 km as a point-to-point, near Otaki in Wellington.
Graded hard, it climbs about 806 m overall, pitching up to 35 % at its steepest, and takes about 2.5–3 hr to walk.
Walkers come for native forest, river frontage, and big views. Dogs are welcome here on the lead. Hikers rate it 4.7 / 5 across 30 reviews.