Explore Wellington: Skyline Walkway
Skyline Walkway Up to 5 hours (12km) one way. Strenuous. You can start at the south end - Karori and finish in Johnsonville or start at the other end - Johnsonville and finish in Karori Start/Finish.
The southern start of the walk, from Karori, is from the summit on Makara Road. On the big bend to your right you will see a sheltered structure indicating the start of the walkway. The northern end of the Skyline Walkway will bring you out on the Old Coach Road Track on Carmichael Street in Johnsonville, or you may start from this end to come out at Karori. Follow the orange markers along the course.
Allow up to five hours to enjoy this 12km walk from Makara Hill summit following the ridge of the Outer Green Belt, passing the west side of Johnson's Hill and then onto Mt Kau Kau before finishing in Johnsonville at the Old Coach Road track. On a clear day enjoy magnificent views of Wellington, Porirua, Petone, Eastbourne, the South Island and beyond!
What to bring
- Warm clothing and stout footwear is essential as weather conditions can be extreme on this very exposed ridgeline
- Water for hydration
What to remember
- Reasonable fitness required
- Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times while using this walkway
- Use gates and styles - please leave gates as you find them
- Mountain biking is permitted access from Makara Road exiting on the Northern Walkway, Sirsi Terrace exit only
- Mountain Biking is prohibited on Bell's Track, Johnson's Hill, Otari-Wilton's Bush and the Woodmancoate Road, Simla Crescent and Truscott Avenue exit trails of the Northern Walkway
- No Litter
- No Fires
- No Camping
- There are no toilet or water facilities along the Skyline Walkway
- There is animal grazing in the area
The completion of the walkway link between Makara Saddle and Chartwell was made possible with the support of Meridian Energy.
You can pick up copies of all the Explore Wellington brochures from the Department of Conservation on Manners Street.
Downloadable file
- Phone:
- (04) 499 4444 for further information
The area of most confusion was emerging from Cummings Park, heading northward, and trying to get onto what I now see is the Skyline walk which begins at the top of Awarua St (which was not marked on the trail map we were using) to join what I now see is the Bells track, which becomes the Skyline walk, which is also collectively known as the Te Araroa National Walkway - confused?? We certainly were.
We felt as if someone from the Council should actually head out one day with a couple of tourists and see how confused they became...... from there a descent map and a continuous trail of road markings could be created for us 'out of towners'.
Must say the Council map was good in the area around Wadestown as this has obviously caused confusion in the past.
Did the skyline walk Sunday 29th March, FANTASTIC, thanks City council for all your effort into producing a great programme. Ashley and Liam friendly and fun - we want more of this to get us through Winter, well done! Marlene
Thank you so much for your enthusiasim! It was a great day up there (we all braved the wind very well!) I'm so glad that you enjoyed it, and we will keep you posted about the possibility of other great walks like this one.
Thanks again,
Ashley
