Wellington · town

Dog-friendly walks near Wellington

Every dog-friendly hike and tramp we have mapped around Wellington, in the Wellington region. That is 91 tracks in all, 2 off the lead and 41 with a swim spot, each with its lead rule, real climb and nearest places to stay read straight off the terrain.

The highest-rated hike here is Ōrongorongo Track, and Trelissick Park Walk is one you can walk off the lead. Of the lot, 26 are graded easy.

91 tracks2 off-lead41 swim spots5 places to stay

Wellington region Off-lead hikes 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 kids

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 m0.5–1 hr★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 kids

Karori Park Loop

EasyWellington

1.0 km↑3 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kids

Te Araroa: Wellington South

ModerateWellington

10 km↑343 m3–3.5 hr★5.0 rating

Swim spotSealed underfoot

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 m0.5–1 hr★4.5 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Te Ahumairangi Hill Lookout

EasyWellington

0.3 km↑12 m0.5–1 hr★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 m0.5–1 hr★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 m0.5–1 hr★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 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Gilbert Bush from Landbrooke Drive Entrance

ModerateWellington

2.1 km↑73 m0.5–1 hr★5.0 rating

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 m0.5–1 hr★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 m0.5–1 hr★5.0 rating

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 m0.5–1 hr★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 m0.5–1 hr★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 m0.5–1 hr★3.1 rating

Callender Reserve Hilltop Track

EasyWellington

1.6 km↑54 m0.5–1 hr★3.7 rating

Star ratings are average scores from the hikers who have walked each track.

Lead off

Off-leash walks near Wellington

The 2 tracks around Wellington where dogs can legally come off the lead. Off-lead access is rare on New Zealand tracks, so check for seasonal wildlife closures before you unclip.