Horse riding

There are several tracks available in Belmont Regional Park for horse riding. Remember that these tracks are multi use - watch out for walkers and mountain bike riders.

The main access points for horse riding are Stratton Street and Dry Creek entrances, both of which have toilets and parking for horse floats. Horse riders can also enter from Horokiwi, Hill or Takapu Road.

Stratton Street to Belmont Trig

• 4 km return
• Easy/medium grade
• 2 hours return

Park your horse float in the gravelled car park on the right just past the green park sign at the Stratton Street entrance. Cross the road and follow the farm track up to Belmont Trig. About 50 metres from the top, the track branches left. Follow the farm track, then take the signposted Horokiwi bridleway. Return the same way or detour via the rolling hills running parallel to the road.

Stream Ride and Middle Ridge

• 4km return
• Medium grade
• 2 hours

Park your horsefloat as above and ride beside the road up to the carpark near the entrance to the ranger's house. Enter the pine forest through the horse gate and take the left hand fork. Follow the stream then climb gradually up towards Middle Ridge. Pass through the gate near the ridge top and pick up the farm track to the junction with Middle Ridge track. Turn left at this junction to return to Stratton Street. Alternatively, turn right and ride up to Cannons Head to get good views over the Porirua and Wellington Harbours. Return the same way.

Pine Forest Loop

• 2 km return
• Medium/hard grade
• 1 hour

This is a variation on the previous ride. Start at the woolshed but bear right to take the vehicle track up the middle of the block. Follow the track sign to a horse gate, then ride downhill along the edge of the block. This track returns to Stratton Street.

Old Coach Road Loop

• Various distances
• Medium/hard grade
• 1 hour

Park your horsefloat as above and ride through Cottle Park Reserve to Normandale Road. Turn left and continue along Normandale Road to Old Coach Road.  Take the second (easier) track left off Old Coach Road down to the Stratton Street valley. Turn left to return to the carpark or go right and do the Middle Ridge loop (see above).

Boulder Hill Ride

• 10km return
• Medium grade
• 1 hour

The track just above the main Dry Creek car park will take you up to Buchanans Road. Follow this up to a plateau, then continue along the marked track to Boulder Hill. Return the same way.

It is possible to ride the Loop Track, but this requires descending a narrow track through bush then climbing to a pylon service track. The Loop Track is about the same distance as the return ride to Boulder Hill.

Horokiwi Bridleway

• 2 km one way
• Hard grade
• 1 hours one way

Drop down from the end of Horokiwi Road to a stream, then ride up a steep track to Belmont Trig.  Or extend your ride from Stratton Street to Belmont Trig. It is a steep ride for confident riders, but worth the effort.