Horse riding

Tunnel Gully Recreation Area sits at the foot of Mt Climie (830m) in the Pakuratahi Forest north of Upper Hutt. Named for its link with the historic Remutaka Railway between Wellington and the Wairarapa, it features the 221m long Mangaroa Tunnel. Closed to trains in 1955, the tunnel now provides a recreation link between Tunnel Gully and Maymorn.

Because there are several locked gates along the tracks and to the parking areas, you need to apply for a Special Access Permit (not accessible on Internet Explorer) to get keys from Greater Wellington’s Upper Hutt office. Please dismount and lead your horse through the Mangaroa Tunnel and the Kaitoke Hill underpass.

More information, including permit applications and a map of the area is available in the link to rhe right.

There is a float parking and turning area available off Kaitoke Loop behind locked gates.  No horse riding is permitted on Tane’s Track or the Mt Climie access road.

The historic railway followed what now forms Station Drive, a metalled track joining the link to Kaitoke Regional Park. It also leads to a more challenging access track to the Remutaka Rail Trail via Goat Rock (579m). Please note you will be returning the same way if you ride up this track.

The Remutaka Rail Trail offers access to the Pakuratahi River and several picnic spots. Horses are not permitted in the Pakuratahi Tunnel. There is no horse riding access to the Remutaka Rail Trail via the main entrance.

Kaitoke Regional Park’s Te Marua entrance is dominated by the Stuart Macaskill water storage lakes. There are good views and hill riding opportunities available on tracks through the pine plantation.