This Week’s Walks:

Te Ara Tupua  –  The Ancient Pathway

The new shared walkway/cycleway between Ngauranga and Petone is 4.5km long and many in the walking group are keen to see it and walk it for themselves.  Some have already done it – perhaps, more than once.  The Friday walkers did it this past week, so we are providing two options for the FF this week – a local walk in Johnsonville for those who have already done the walk and the Te Ara Tupua for those who have not.

So, here is a plan for this Wednesday’s walk.  It is a bit more complicated than normal, so please take time to read through to the end.  There are some logistic issues getting to and from the walk, so we are providing the following options:

Parking:              At Alex Moore Park and then walk to the Johnsonville bus hub.

Catch a Number 1 bus and alight at the stop just past the traffic lights at the bottom of Ngauranga Gorge.  To avoid crowding the bus, we suggest that the groups gather separately:

SS/FF (Te Ara Tupua)        9.10am bus at the Johsonville Hub

PP                                        9.20am bus at the Johsonville Hub

FF (Jville walk)                  Meet at Alex Moore Park at 9.20am.

The buses arrive at the Ngauranga stop 9 minutes after departure from Jville.  We suggest that you walk back to the start of the walk by going through the tunnel beneath the motorway that carries traffic from the Hutt.  There is another tunnel which takes traffic to the effluent outflow, but there is no footpath – and it does have something of a distinctive aroma about it!  When you reach the Petone end of the walkway you will see a sign that directs you to Petone Station – it will take you under the roadway and there is no need to cross the Esplanade.

PP:         Walk the length of Te Ara Tupua and on to Petone Station (a total walk of 5.8km which, while a little longer than normal, is all flat and on formed walkways/roads).  From here you can catch a train back to Wellington City.  Trains leave at 20 minute intervals from Petone at 13, 33 and 53 minutes past the hour arriving into Wellington 12 minutes later.  You then have the option of having a coffee at the Trax Café at the station before heading home via either the Johsonville train line or a Number 1 bus.  Here is the link.

SS:         A 7.1km walk which is all on formed walkways/roads and is flat.  Walk the length of Te Ara Tupua and when you reach the Petone foreshore, take the right-hand track along The Esplanade as far as the traffic light-controlled pedestrian crossing near Petone Wharf, cross The Esplanade and then walk up Victoria Street, left into Jackson Street and then on to Hutt Road where you can safely cross to Petone Station.  See notes for PP above for details of train times on the Hutt Line. Alternatively, you may prefer to follow the PP route above and take your time to read the informative signs en route.  Here is the link.

FF:          If you wish to walk the length of Te Ara Tupua, then we suggest that you meet with the SS group at the Johnsonville bus hub and take the 9.10am bus to Ngauranga.  You can then either follow the SS or PP routes above back to Petone Station.  We suggest that you walk independently of the SS so that there is no conflict of pace. 

            For those FF who do not want to repeat Te Ara Tupua, we have a local walk as an alternative.  It is a 6.79km loop – a new walk that is a mixture of several Johnsonville walks that we have used in the past.  Over half the walk is on tracks and walkways, the rest on streets.  There are some reasonable climbs, as is the norm.  You can see the walk on Mapometer  here and on Plotaroute here.

Coffee:                 Trax at Wellington Railway Station

                               Or options back in Johnsonville or Churton Park.

                               Or you have various options available in Petone if you prefer to enjoy a coffee before heading home:               

                                      La Bella Italia and Revive Espresso in Nevis Street

                                      Puku Pies & Kai which is part of the Bunnings Petone complex

So, lots of permutations and combinations for you to choose from!  As always, walk in a group and, if you wish to peel off and do your own thing, ensure that you have told others in your group of your intentions. 

Notes:                 

• For the safety of walkers, we do not recommend that you get off the train at Ngauranga on the journey home. The traffic light cycles are not yet set up for pedestrians and you will have to chance the traffic to get across the road to catch a bus up to Johnsonville.  Much better to travel on to Wellington where you have the options of bus or train back home.
• Te Ara Tupua is a combined walking and cycling path. While the path has demarcations, there is nothing to stop you walking across the cycling path if you walk 3 or 4 abreast which is probably not wise.  Cyclists may well travel quickly – be aware!
• Don’t forget your Goldcard or Snapper card.

Happy walking.

Bill Gaudie & Russell Paterson