Where can my dog run off the lead near Wellington?

Yes: 2 of the 91 walks we map near Wellington let a dog off the lead, including Trelissick Park Walk, Te Ahi Ka Loop Track. Check for seasonal wildlife closures before you unclip.

Are there dog-friendly beach walks near Wellington?

Yes: 17 of the walks near Wellington touch a beach, including Mount Victoria Loop, Pari-Whero (Red Rocks) Loop, Red Rocks Coastal Walk. Summer councils often restrict daytime beach hours, so check the seasonal window first.

Where can I stay with my dog near Wellington?

We map 5 dog-friendly places to stay within about 40 km of Wellington, DOC campsites and community holiday parks, each with its dog policy stated.

Wellington · town

Dog-friendly walks near Wellington

Every dog-friendly walk and tramp we have mapped around Wellington, in the Wellington region. That is 91 tracks in all, 2 where they can run and 35 with water on the route, each with its dog access, real climb and nearest places to stay read straight off the terrain.

The highest-rated walk here is Ōrongorongo Track, and the longest is Wind Turbine and Wrights Hill via Tip Track at 24.3 km. Of the lot, 27 are graded easy.

91 tracks2 where they can run35 with water on the route5 places to stay

Wellington region Where they can run Swim spots All trails

Explore near Wellington on the map

The complete list

All 91 dog-friendly walks near Wellington

Sorted by rating. Every entry opens its full trail sheet with the elevation profile, dog verdict and nearest places to stay.

Ōrongorongo Track

ModerateWellington

10.0 km↑251 m2.5–3 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Mount Kaukau via Woodmancote Road

ModerateWellington

3.5 km↑250 m1.5–2 hr★4.7 rating

Shade

Skyline Track: Makara Road to Johnsonville

ModerateWellington

12 km↑432 m4–4.5 hr★4.7 rating

Shade

Skyline Walkway: Khandallah to Makara Road

ModerateWellington

12 km↑467 m4–4.5 hr★4.7 rating

Shade

Mount Kaukau via South Ridge Track

ModerateWellington

3.2 km↑249 m1.5–2 hr★4.7 rating

Shade

Kaukau Lookout from Truscott Avenue

ModerateWellington

4.3 km↑216 m1.5–2 hr★4.7 rating

Mount Victoria Loop

ModerateWellington

5.0 km↑210 m1.5–2 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Pari-Whero (Red Rocks) Loop

HardWellington

8.7 km↑358 m3–3.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShade

The Crows Nest Loop

ModerateWellington

3.7 km↑223 m1.5–2 hr★4.7 rating

Shade

Kaukau Lookout Loop

ModerateWellington

4.3 km↑276 m1.5–2 hr★4.6 rating

Shade

Otari Wilton Bush to Kaukau via Skyline Walkway

ModerateWellington

14 km↑658 m5–5.5 hr★4.9 rating

Shade

Red Rocks Coastal Walk

ModerateWellington

7.7 km↑50 m2–2.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spot

Oriental Parade Path

EasyWellington

3.9 km↑8 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kidsPram friendly

Johnston’s Hill Loop

ModerateWellington

8.4 km↑312 m2.5–3 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spotShade

Eastern Walkway

ModerateWellington

5.3 km↑128 m1.5–2 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

City to Sea Walkway

ModerateWellington

14 km↑490 m4.5–5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfoot

Southern Walkway

ModerateWellington

11 km↑360 m3.5–4 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfoot

Johnston's Hill Walk

ModerateWellington

1.4 km↑117 m0.5–1 hr★4.7 rating

Shade

Otari Skyline Loop

ModerateWellington

5.5 km↑268 m2–2.5 hr★4.6 rating

Shade

Mount Victoria Lookout from Charles Plimmer Park

ModerateWellington

2.4 km↑129 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Shade

Trelissick Park Walk

EasyWellington

4.7 km↑91 m1–1.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Ataturk Memorial and Breaker Bay via Eastern Walkway

ModerateWellington

7.1 km↑266 m2–2.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShade

Transient and Aro St - Aston Fitchett Tracks Loop

ModerateWellington

3.7 km↑153 m1–1.5 hr★4.6 rating

Shade

The Crows Nest via Kaukau Lookout

HardWellington

9.8 km↑495 m★4.7 rating

Shade

Hawkins Hill via Tip Track

HardWellington

8.2 km↑454 m3–3.5 hr★4.6 rating

Te Ahumairangi Northern Walkway and Ridgeline Loop

ModerateWellington

5.8 km↑289 m2–2.5 hr★4.5 rating

Shade

Makara MTB: Koru, Sally Alley, Upswing, Lazy Fern

ModerateWellington

11 km↑284 m3.5–4 hr★4.6 rating

Shade

Wellington Botanic Garden Walk

ModerateWellington

3.7 km↑134 m1–1.5 hr★4.5 rating

ShadeSealed underfootGood with kids

Butcher, Cattle Ridge, and Orongorongo Track Loop

ModerateWellington

11 km↑475 m3.5–4 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShade

Burrows Ave and Paparata Tracks

ModerateWellington

1.8 km↑106 m0.5–1 hr★4.9 rating

Shade

Skyline Track: Johnston Hill to Johnsonville

ModerateWellington

13 km↑462 m4.5–5 hr★4.7 rating

Shade

Tawatawa Reserve Track

ModerateWellington

3.5 km↑125 m1–1.5 hr★4.5 rating

Shade

Centennial Reserve Conviction Track

ModerateWellington

2.6 km↑107 m0.5–1 hr★4.7 rating

Te Ara Paparāngi ki te Tonga Track

ModerateWellington

2.1 km↑56 m0.5–1 hr★4.7 rating

Good with kids

South Coast and WW2 Bunkers Loop

HardWellington

11 km↑474 m4–4.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spot

Te Ahumairangi Ridgeline Track

ModerateWellington

2.4 km↑65 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Shade

Te Raekaihau Lookout Loop Walk

ModerateWellington

1.1 km↑53 mabout 20 min★4.6 rating

Shade

Maupuia Walkway

EasyWellington

1.8 km↑24 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Red Trail and Skyline Walkway Loop

ModerateWellington

8.4 km↑388 m3–3.5 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShade

Otari to Karori Cemetery Route

EasyWellington

5.5 km↑148 m1.5–2 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShade

Windturbine to Red Rocks

ModerateWellington

12 km↑325 m4.5–5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotSealed underfoot

Wellington Waterfront to Botanical Garden

ModerateWellington

6.3 km↑121 m1.5–2 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfootGood with kids

Lyall Bay Walk

EasyWellington

4.2 km↑3 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

The Esplanade

ModerateWellington

8.0 km↑28 m1.5–2 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kidsPram friendly

Karori Park Loop

EasyWellington

1.0 km↑3 mabout 14 min★4.6 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kidsPram friendly

Wind Turbine and Wrights Hill via Tip Track

HardWellington

24 km↑747 m8–9 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShade

Seton Nossiter Park Waterfall from White Pine Avenue

ModerateWellington

2.3 km↑95 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShade

Mount Victoria Loop from Alexandra Road

ModerateWellington

5.1 km↑186 m1.5–2 hr★4.4 rating

Shade

Oku Street Reserve Walk

EasyWellington

1.4 km↑61 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Thorndon to Wadestown over Te Ahumairangi Hill

HardWellington

7.1 km↑398 m2.5–3 hr★4.8 rating

Swim spotShade

Otari Skyline Loop

HardWellington

12 km↑449 m4–4.5 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShade

Gilberd Bush from Fernhaven Grove Entrance

ModerateWellington

2.7 km↑96 m1–1.5 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShade

Otari-Wilton’s Bush Circular Walk

EasyWellington

1.4 km↑38 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Rimu via Blue Trail

ModerateWellington

3.1 km↑168 m1–1.5 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShade

Te Araroa: Wellington City

EasyWellington

5.5 km↑15 m1–1.5 hr★4.9 rating

Swim spotSealed underfoot

Ara Tawa Trail

EasyWellington

7.9 km↑4 m1.5–2 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

Lyndfield Park Walk

EasyWellington

0.5 km↑15 mabout 7 min★4.5 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Te Ahumairangi Hill Lookout

EasyWellington

0.3 km↑12 mabout 6 min★4.7 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Te Ahi Ka Loop Track

EasyWellington

1.9 km↑72 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

Shade

Wilf Mexted Scenic Reserve Walk

ModerateWellington

0.5 km↑33 mabout 10 min★4.4 rating

Shade

Five Mile Loop and Middle Ridge Track

ModerateWellington

3.4 km↑152 m1–1.5 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShade

Churton Park Loop

EasyWellington

0.5 km↑7 mabout 7 min★4.7 rating

Good with kids

Te Ara Paparārangi

EasyWellington

3.4 km↑52 m1–1.5 hr★4.3 rating

Shade

Hauora Reserve Track

EasyWellington

1.9 km↑59 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

Wright Hill Lookout Loop Walk

ModerateWellington

4.0 km↑112 m1–1.5 hr★4.3 rating

Shade

Airport Lookout and Wellington Sign Walk

EasyWellington

0.8 km↑8 mabout 11 min★4.6 rating

Gilbert Bush from Landbrooke Drive Entrance

ModerateWellington

2.1 km↑73 m0.5–1 hr

Shade

Ian Galloway Park Walk

ModerateWellington

3.4 km↑67 m0.5–1 hr★4.5 rating

ShadeSealed underfootGood with kids

Pinkerton Park Walk

EasyWellington

0.8 km↑26 mabout 15 min★4.7 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Chartwell Drive Loop

ModerateWellington

3.1 km↑142 m1–1.5 hr★4.3 rating

Shade

Te Araroa: Ngaio

ModerateWellington

7.9 km↑304 m2.5–3 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotShade

Hawkins Hill Road to Red Rocks via Te Kopahou Summit

ModerateWellington

12 km↑273 m★4.3 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfoot

Wilton Bush Yellow Loop

ModerateWellington

2.4 km↑88 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotShade

Alexandra Park Walk

EasyWellington

1.8 km↑49 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

Good with kids

Kilbirnie Park Walk

EasyWellington

0.8 km↑0 mabout 9 min

Good with kids

Spicer Forest Loop

ModerateWellington

6.0 km↑244 m2–2.5 hr★4.2 rating

Shade

Fish Ladder Loop

EasyWellington

2.1 km↑68 m0.5–1 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Blue Trail and Circular Walk Loops

ModerateWellington

3.7 km↑174 m1–1.5 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spotShade

Te Ahumairangi Hill Lookout Loop

ModerateWellington

3.9 km↑171 m1–1.5 hr★4.2 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Hutt Road Shared Path - Wellington to Johnsonville

ModerateWellington

9.5 km↑160 m2–2.5 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfoot

Seton Nossiter Park Waterfall from Mark Avenue

EasyWellington

2.6 km↑52 m0.5–1 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spotShade

Alex Moore Park Loop

EasyWellington

0.8 km↑7 mabout 12 min★4.1 rating

Good with kids

Otari-Wilton to Botanical Gardens

ModerateWellington

6.9 km↑258 m2–2.5 hr★3.9 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Landsdowne, Deliverance and Salvation Tracks Loop

ModerateWellington

4.0 km↑179 m1–1.5 hr★4.1 rating

Shade

Lawson's Track

EasyWellington

4.2 km↑132 m1–1.5 hr★4.1 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Pukehuia Park Loop

EasyWellington

0.5 km↑4 mabout 8 min★4.0 rating

Good with kids

Thomas Tunnel and Quarry Site Track

ModerateWellington

2.6 km↑162 m1–1.5 hr★4.0 rating

Good with kids

Redwood Bush Walk

ModerateWellington

1.9 km↑106 m0.5–1 hr★4.0 rating

Shade

Viaduct View Loop Walk

ModerateWellington

0.8 km↑61 mabout 20 min★3.1 rating

Callender Reserve Hilltop Track

EasyWellington

1.6 km↑54 m0.5–1 hr★3.7 rating

Stebbings Valley Dam Walk

EasyWellington

0.9 km↑17 m11 min

Star ratings are average scores from the walkers who have logged each track.

Room to run

Off-leash walks near Wellington

The 2 tracks around Wellington where a dog can legally run off the lead. Rare enough on New Zealand tracks to be worth the drive, and worth checking for seasonal wildlife closures before you unclip.