Whanganui Walking Group
(River City Walking Group)

Whanganui Walking Group: July to October Programme
   
(Please note dates, times & locations are subject to change. For Local Walks, no need to register, just meet at the predetermined location & time. For out-of-town trips, you need to register by emailing whanganuiwalking@gmail.com. Costs can change depending on petrol prices and other costs)

 Round the Bridges & Durie Hill (Local Walk - Shorter & Longer Options)

• Date: Friday 10th July 2026

• Time: 2:00 PM

• Meeting Location: The bearing/globe sculpture by the river on Moutoa Quay

• Leader: Tracy

• Difficulty: Easy / Easy/Mod

• Description: A classic urban loop exploring the riverside bridges and up the historic Durie Hill for great views over the city. Features both shorter and longer trail options so you can choose your distance on the day.

 Landgard Bluff to the South Mole (Local Hike - Shorter Options*)

• Date: Sunday 12th July 2026

• Time: 1:30 PM

• Meeting Location: Landgard Road Gravel Pull-Over Point

• Leader: Willem

• Difficulty: Easy/Mod

• Description: Trace the downriver tip of Corliss Island past old wharf relics, shipwrecks, and WWII pillboxes, returning via a beach walk and a short scenic climb. Includes a shorter track option that is self-guided on the return journey.

 Waitonga Falls & Blyth Hut (Ruapehu Hike)

• Date: Saturday 18th July 2026

• Time: 8:30 AM

• Meeting Location: Car park for Church on Ingestre (Cnr Ingestre & Campbell Streets)

• Leaders: Tracy, Carl, & Willem

• Difficulty: Moderate

•  Approx Cost: $25 

• Description: An alpine adventure crossing pristine boardwalk mires to the 39m Waitonga Falls, then steadily climbing through beech forest to the historic Blyth Hut.

 River Walk & Beach Loop (Local Walk - Shorter Options*)

• Date: Saturday 25th July 2026
  

• Time: 10:30 AM (Note: Special morning start time for a local walk!)

• Meeting Location: Pathway entrance on Balgownie Ave

• Leader: Tracy

• Difficulty: Easy* / Easy/Mod

• Description: A refreshing morning walk along the scenic river pathways out to the South Mole. We will stop to enjoy lunch together at the mole first, before heading onto the beach section where you will pass historic wartime pillboxes. Includes a short walk option in the morning from the start, which is self-guided on the return journey.

 Westmere Lake (Local Walk)

• Date: Sunday 2nd August 2026

• Time: 2:30 PM

• Meeting Location: Westmere Lake Car Park on Rapanui Rd

• Leader: Julayne

• Difficulty: Easy

• Description: A peaceful Sunday afternoon lakeside stroll. This walk winds beautifully through regenerating native bush, mature exotic trees, and rich wetlands, making it perfect for birdwatching and enjoying the tranquil wildlife reserve. The number of bushwalk circuits is entirely up to you (we normally do two).

 New Whangaehu Bridge Hike (Semi-Local Hike)

• Date: Saturday 9th August 2026

• Time: 10:30 AM

• Meeting Location: Car park for Church on Ingestre (Cnr Ingestre & Campbell Streets)

• Leaders: Sue & Willem

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Cost: $5

• Description: A beautiful 15km hike that takes us through the forest and into the Whitiau Scientific Reserve on the north side of the river. This nationally significant reserve features rare coastal dune plains and wetlands. We'll explore the reserve and check out the construction progress of the new Te Araroa swing bridge site (note: the bridge itself won't be open yet) before pushing onward to the river mouth. Registration is mandatory to secure group transport and do the walk.

 Holdsworth - Gentle Annie and River Ridge Tracks Loop (Tararua Hike)

• Date: Saturday 15th August 2026

• Time: 6:30 AM

• Meeting Location: Car park for Church on Ingestre (Cnr Ingestre & Campbell Streets)

• Leaders: Willem, Carl, & Paula

• Difficulty: Moderate

•  Approx Cost: $36

• Description: An out-of-town mountain tramp into the Tararua Forest Park. We will climb the well-graded Gentle Annie track through spectacular native beech forest up to the Mountain House Shelter site, offering expansive views of the Wairarapa plains, before looping back down via the more rugged River Ridge Track.

 Whanganui Walk - River to Lake (Local Walk - Shorter Options*)

• Date: Saturday 22nd August 2026

• Time: 1:30 PM

• Meeting Location: The bearing/globe sculpture by the river on Moutoa Quay

• Leader: Willem

• Difficulty: Easy* to Easy/Mod

• Description: A local route linking beautiful river pathways across to the lakefront tracks, highlighting historic and scenic sights around Whanganui. Features a shorter option that stays along the river but is self-guided on the return.

 Trig Walkway / Kohitere Forest (levin Hike)

• Date: Saturday 29th August 2026

• Time: 8:30 AM

• Meeting Location: Car park for Church on Ingestre (Cnr Ingestre & Campbell Streets)

• Leaders: Tracy, Carl, & Willem

• Difficulty: Moderate

•  Approx Cost: $25

• Description: Head out of town to tackle the popular Trig Walkway. This is a point-to-point hike; provided we have enough vehicles on the day to manage a shuttle, we will complete the trek by coming down the beautiful Gray Bush Track within the Kohitere Forest.

(Note: Local walks from September will be added to this list later.)

  Waikato River & Huka Falls Walk (Taupo Hike)

• Date: Saturday 12th September 2026

• Time: 6:30 AM

• Meeting Location: Car park for Church on Ingestre (Cnr Ingestre & Campbell Streets)

• Leaders: Paula & Sue

• Difficulty: Easy/Mod

•  Approx Cost: $39

• Description: A fantastic day trip to Taupō! Starting from Spa Park, we will walk the scenic river trail to the thundering Huka Falls, cross the impressive SH1 bridge to loop back along the opposite bank, and return to Spa Park. We'll top off the day with a relaxing soak in the natural hot water stream!

 Kitchener & Kowhai Parks, Alice Nash Memorial Hut & Apiti Glowworms (Flexi-Distance Hike)

• Date: Saturday 26th September 2026

• Time: 10:00 AM (TBC)

• Meeting Location: Car park for Church on Ingestre (Cnr Ingestre & Campbell Streets)

• Leaders: Willem & Carl

• Difficulty: Easy/Mod / Moderate

•  Approx Cost: $26

• Description: A highly flexible, flexi-distance trip where walkers can pick their preferred distance (available for the Feilding walks). We will explore Kitchener & Kowhai Parks, then our route takes us out to Apiti, where we will tramp into the Alice Nash Memorial Hut where we will have a camp dinner. This trip also features both a daytime and a nighttime visit to the glowworm caves.

 Rangiwahia Hut Track (Hike)

• Date: Saturday 10th October 2026

• Time: 8:30 AM

• Meeting Location: Car park for Church on Ingestre (Cnr Ingestre & Campbell Streets)

• Leaders: Carl & Tracy

• Difficulty: Moderate

•  Approx Cost: $25

• Description: A classic tramping track leading up through the beech forest and over the impressive arched bridge onto the Whanahuia Range to visit the popular Rangiwahia Hut.

Meeting Location Info for Out-Of-Town Trips

For our out-of-town trips we meet at the car park for Church on Ingestre, which is on the Cnr Ingestre & Campbell Streets. Let us know if you need a ride to the car park. We can also pick up en route. The toilet at COI may not always be available.

Transport for Out-Of-Town Trips

We use our private vehicles for transport. A cost is charged to cover trip costs. The event organisers select the Vehicles and drivers before the event. If you would like to take your vehicle, please email ASAP so the organiser knows your vehicle is available. We prefer drivers for our events to have attended a few events before driving and to have held a full NZ driver's license for 2 years.

Safety Disclaimer

Please note that by joining these walks or tramps, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own safety and well-being, and have the fitness to be able to complete the walk/tramp or the portion you intend to complete. The organisers and leaders will do their best to keep everyone safe, but they are not responsible for any injuries, accidents, or damages that may occur during this walk/tramp.

See you out out on the tracks!