Remutaka Rail Trail

Running from Kaitoke to Summit, the Remutaka Rail Trail links with the DOC-managed Incline down to Cross Creek in the Wairarapa. Enjoy swimming and fishing in the nearby Pakuratahi River and picnic or camp in the pleasant surrounds of Ladle Bend and Summit. Toilets are located at the Kaitoke and Cross Creek entrances, at Summit and at the historic Cross Creek town site.

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Points of Interest 

• Siberia tunnel -1878, 108m long
• Horsehoe "Siberia" gully - A large earth embankment on a sweeping 100m radius curve filled the gully from 1876 to 1967 when it collapsed in a massive washout. The concrete intake shaft installed to collect and divert the stream remains standing in the gully.
• Price's Tunnel - 1875-76. 98m long, this has a 1 in 15 grade on an "S" curve
• Cross Creek Station - A registered Historic Site, this was once occupied by several cottages, a hall, school, library, locomotive depot and a turntable.
• Following your trip you may like to visit Featherston's Fell Museum which houses the rebuilt H 199 - the only remaining Fell engine from the six that serviced the Remutaka Incline for 77 years.
• Munitions Bend bridge - Greater Wellington and the Silverstream Railway Trust installed a footbridge with rails and sleepers running alongside it in 2003
• Pakuratahi Tunnel - built in 1876 and 73m long, this was the first concrete block structure in New Zealand
• Remutaka Tunnel ventilation shaft - 1955; 2.7m diameter and 116m deep
• Pakuratahi Bridge - 1876; 28m long, this is a "Howe" truss bridge. It is the oldest truss bridge in New Zealand, and was rebuilt in 1910 after a fire. Greater Wellington restored the bridge in 2001.
• Ladle Bend Creek Bridge - 1875; 70m long; this is New Zealand's second oldest simple beam (understrutted) bridge. It has stone abutments and a central pier. Greater Wellington restored this bridge in 2002.
• Summit Yards - this was the site of 5 cottages, a signal box, water tank, ashpit, turntable (1943) and old locomotive remnants (not from "Fell" engines). Since 2000 there has been significant landscaping and planting work carried out in this area.
• Summit Tunnel - dating from 1877, this is 584m long, and was resurfaced together with the rest of the Rail Trail in 1999. The 1 in 15 gradient used for the Fell engines started part way through this tunnel.

How to get here

Car

Turn off SH2, 9km north of Upper Hutt. The carpark is 1km along a metal road. Or you can enter the Wairarapa end of the Rail Trail via Cross Creek Road (off Western Lake Road). Pedestrian and cycling access only beyond the carpark.

Cycling/walking

From the end of the Hutt River Trail at Te Marua you can continue on down the road past the Water Treatment plant and the Stuart Macaskill Lakes to join onto a track that takes you to the start of the Remutaka Rail Trail via an underpass under SH2. See the map to your right for more details.

 From Maymorn Railway Station you can follow the walking/cycling track that takes you through Tunnel Gully and you can join the Trail on Incline Road or further up the trail.

Getting back to your starting point

Several shuttle services are available for transport at Featherston and Cross Creek. See the official Remutaka Cycle Trail website for details.

Bikes on Wairarapa trains

It is a 10km cycle from the Cross Creek carpark along flat roads to Featherston Station. Allow up to 45 minutes as there is often a headwind to overcome.

On weekdays the first three trains into Wellington and the last three out are the peak commuter services. Groups with bicycles should use the off-peak services if at all possible. Note that non-standard bikes such as tandems or bikes with trailers are more difficult to accommodate.

If you are travelling as a group, Tranz Metro can increase bicycle carrying capacity but you need to book in advance. Book with Tranz Metro by phoning 04 498 3103 and they will advise the fee (including any extra for bikes) dependant on the group size and needs and can advise the best times to travel. There is no additional fee for using the group booking service.

Walking and biking

A gently graded 18 km walk or mountain bike ride, the trail features restored railway bridges and historic tunnels. Expect an easy gradient with a gravel surface.

Walking times and distances:

• Kaitoke gate - Summit 10km / 2.5 hours
• Summit - Cross Creek 6km / 1.5 hours
• Cross Creek - Carpark 2km / 30 mins

Cycling times:

• Kaitoke gate - Summit 1 hour
• Summit - Cross Creek Less than 30 minutes (dismount and walk your bike through "Siberia" gully)
• Cross Creek - carpark 15-30 minutes (narrow track - watch out for walkers)

South of Summit on the Wairarapa side, the Remutaka Rail Trail includes the famous "Incline" to Cross Creek, 10km from Featherston. This steeper (1 in 15 grade) section is managed by the Department of Conservation as part of the Remutaka Forest Park.

Safety on the Trail

• check the weather forecast before your trip (southerly weather conditions make the Remutaka Rail Trail extremely cold)
• these are multi-use tracks so cyclists need to beware of and give way to walkers on the track
• walkers also need to be aware of cyclists on the track and all users should keep to the left
• wear strong lace-up footwear and carry warm and waterproof clothing and enough food and drink for your trip
• carry sun protection
• plan your route and tell someone your intentions
• take a torch for the tunnels.