Walks In and Around Palmerston North
If you like using your own two feet then Palmerston North is the perfect hub for you! The city is completely surrounded by various reserves and parks connected with walking tracks.
There are hikes around Palmerston North for everyone, from tough full-day tramps to the top of the Ruahine Ranges to the easy 15-minute loops providing a good excuse just to see something new.
The region of Manawatu-Wanganui that surrounds Palmerston North is scattered with native forests, exotic forests, beaches, hills, mountains and rivers. There’s plenty to see and hiking is the perfect combination of seeing and doing! Plus, all these walks are free!
The hikes around Palmerston North listed below are mostly walking trails only accessible by your own means of transport, however, we have listed a few walks that can easily be walked to from the city centre.
Check out the 10 Palmerston North Must-Dos to see more things to do within the city.
Table of Contents
1. Manawatu Gorge Walk (3-5 Hours One Way)
Delve into the forests of Manawatu Gorge on this long walk near Palmerston North. The 10 km (6 mi) track is a one-way track so either give plenty of time to return or organise return transport with the Palmerston North i-SITE.
From either the Ashhurst or Ballance/Ferry Reserve ends, the path undulates past rimu, tawa and tōtara, with lookouts (including Tom’s Lookout) framing the famous wind turbines on the skyline.
Location: 15 minutes from Palmerston North. State Highway 3, Ashhurst. Start from the large car park on the left just before entering the gorge.
© NZPocketGuide.com2. Tawa Loop Track (2 Hours Loop)
A shorter hike in the Manawatu Gorge, the Tawa Loop Track is a moderate-difficulty walk alongside streams and in the forest. See the Maori warrior sculpture and watch the birds flutter around you.
Allow around two hours to stroll the 4.1 km (2.5 mi) circuit, pausing at viewpoints and interpretation panels that touch on geology, ecology and cultural history of Te Āpiti.
Location: 15 minutes from Palmerston North. State Highway 3, Ashhurst. Start from the large car park on the left just before entering the gorge.
© NZPocketGuide.com3. Totara Loop Track (15 Minutes Loop)
Just a snippet of the Manawatu Gorge, the Totara Loop Track is an easy one over boardwalks with interpretation plaques made by local children.
The 650-metre circuit winds through towering kahikatea, tōtara and mataī, some hundreds of years old, with interpretive panels pointing out native trees and the birdlife they attract.
Location: 20 minutes from Palmerston North. Take State Highway 3 all the way to Ballance Bridge. The walk is just over the bridge.
© Szilas on Wikipedia4. Manawatu River Pathway (1-5 Hours One Way)
This 10 km (6 mi) riverside path has multiple entry points making it as long as a walk as you want it to be. The shared pathway can be cycled or walked, taking in the scenery of the Manawatu River, as well as being a scenic way to visit various parks along the way.
The route is flat and paved, so it’s accessible for all ages and abilities. Depending on where you start and finish, you can tailor your walk from a short riverside stroll to a five-hour trek.
Expect expansive river views, landscaped gardens, and plenty of spots to stop for a picnic or coffee detour.
Location: Only 5-10 minutes from Palmerston North. Various entry points include Te Mata Road, Albert Street, Centennial Drive, The Esplanade and Maxwells Line. The track is just a 5-10 minute drive from the city centre.
© NZPocketGuide.com5. Kitchener Park to Kowhai Park Walkway (30 Minutes One Way)
There’s a lot on offer in the little town of Feilding and one of those things is this delightful stream-side walking track between Kitchener Park and Kowhai Park. Although mostly a gravel track, some of the walkway turns into boardwalks.
Along the way you’ll likely spot pīwakawaka darting between branches or kererū swooping overhead.
It’s a super easy walk but well worth it when exploring the town along with the 5 Fun Things to Do in Feilding.
Location: 40 minutes from Palmerston North. Kawa Kawa Road, Feilding.
© Cody Cooper on Wikipeida6. Kahikatea Walk (20 Minutes Loop)
An easy walk in the Pohangina Valley which is a great introduction to the wild. Take your time to marvel at the large rata tree, as well as a stand of kahikatea and rimu. Finally, soak in the views of the Pohangina Valley.
The path is well-graded and only 900 metres long, making it suitable for families with young children or anyone wanting a light nature break.
Location: 40 minutes from Palmerston North. Take the Pohangina Valley East Road, Pohangina. The track entrance is on the left approximately 1 km (0.6 mi) past Arbon’s Road.
© Pseudopanax at en.wikipedia7. Fern Walk (2 Hours Loop)
Situated in the stunning Totara Reserve, this 5km track is tucked away on the Pohangina Valley.
Walk among the region’s most ancient remnants of native forest where native birds are often seen and heard. This is a moderate walk so be prepared with suitable hiking shoes.
Check out more attractions in the area with the 15 Best Things to Do in the Pohangina Valley.
Location: 40 minutes from Palmerston North. Totara Reserve, Churchill Drive, Pohangina.
© NZPocketGuide.com8. Pettifar & Gilchrist Loop Tracks (1-2 Hours Loop)
Another hiking option in the Totara Reserve is the Pettifar Loop Track and the Gilchrist Loop Track. Both encompass the stunning native forest and native birds of the Totara Reserve taking you down a series of terraces to the Pohangina River.
The tracks start off as the same track then branch off to form their own loops.
Location: 35 minutes from Palmerston North. From Ashhurst, drive north along Pohangina Road then turn right at Raumai onto Pohangina Valley East Road. Signposts point to the walks.
© NZPocketGuide.com9. Rangiwahia Bush Reserve Track (45 Minutes Loop)
Another great native forest loop walk in the Manawatū-Wanganui region! This place has been left untouched so hikers and birds alike can enjoy the forest.
A picnic area and shelter make it a great spot to linger, and the track’s accessibility means locals often use it for an evening walk.
It’s also a glimpse into the larger conservation efforts happening across northern Manawatū to protect and restore lowland forests that were once widespread in the region.
Check out more activities in the area with the 5 Brilliant Things to Do in Rangiwahia.
Location: 1 hour from Palmerston North. Reserve Road, Rangiwahia. (The end section to get to the walk is down a gravel road).
© NZPocketGuide.com10. Rangiwahia Hut Track (2-3 Hours Return)
For epic views across the hilltops of the Ruahine Forest Park, take this popular hiking track to the Rangiwahia Hut which sits above the treeline.
The well-graded 4.5 km (2.8 mi) trail zigzags up through regenerating bush and tussock slopes, gradually revealing expansive views of the Oroua Valley and Mt Ruapehu on clear days.
After around two hours you reach Rangiwahia Hut, a serviced 13-bunk hut perched above the bushline. Many walkers enjoy a picnic here before returning, while trampers often continue further along the Whanahuia Range.
Location: 1 hr 10 mins from Palmerston North. Renfrew Road end, Rangiwahia.
© ManawatuNZ.co.nz11. Sledge Track (5-6 Hours Return)
How much you complete of this track is entirely up to you as there is plenty to see along the way. The Sledge Track starts off easy passing waterfalls and swimming holes, as well as rock formations along the river.
About 30 minutes into the walk, the track steepens heading up to the Elevation (about 1 hr 30 mins into the walk). Then walk to the Platinum Mines (3 hours in) and past a number of old mineshafts and taking in some awesome scenery.
Location: 25 minutes from Palmerston North. 897 Kahuterawa Road (at the road end), Palmerston North.
© ManawatuNZ.co.nz12. Alice Nash Memorial Heritage Lodge Track (45 Minutes Return)
The well-graded 1 km trail descends through beech forest to the Alice Nash Memorial Heritage Lodge, a 12-bunk hut named after a local conservation advocate.
This former logging road features a picture-perfect arched wooden bridge over the narrow Umutoi Creek gorge then continues through beech forest to a heritage lodge offering spectacular views of the Oroua River.
The walk takes just 20-30 minutes each way, but the hut makes a perfect picnic destination or base for an overnight stay if you book ahead.
Check out the track description on the Department of Conservation (DOC) website.
Location: 1 hour from Palmerston North. Tabel Flat Road End, Apiti.
© Michal Klajban (Hikingisgood.com) on Wikipedia13. Maharahara Peak Track (6 Hours Return)
One for the more experienced hiker who likes to bag their peaks. This is a steep and often muddy track through forest to the exposed rocky mountain-tops of Maharahara (1,095 m/3,592 ft).
The 6-hour return track begins on farmland before crossing a stream and quickly gaining elevation through regenerating bush and beech forest.
At the top, on a clear day, you’re treated to panoramic views across the Manawatū plains, Ruapehu to the north, and the Tararua and Ruahine ranges stretching in both directions.
Note that the track is closed during September-October for the lambing season.
Location: 45 minutes from Palmerston North. Opawa Road, Pohangina.
© Michal Klajban (Hikingisgood.com) on Wikipedia14. Deerford Track (2-3 Hours Loop or 4-5 Hours Loop)
A couple of hiking options are available on the Deerford Track. From the car park, follow the fenceline to Coal Creek then it’s a short climb to the plateau meets the Deerford Track. You can then loop back to Coal Creek again taking 2-3 hours total.
Alternatively, just prior to the creek is a fork in the track where the left becomes the Knight’s Track (up to the summit) and the right is the steep Diagonal meeting Short’s Track. The Deerford-Diagonal-Shorts Tracks’ loop would take 4-5 hours.
Location: 1 hr 30 mins from Palmerston North. The car park at Limestone Road end, Apiti.
© max_wax1973 on Flickr15. Beehive Creek Walkway (2-3 Hours One Way)
For a bit of creek action, check out the Beehive Creek Walkway. Cross farmland to the creek and return the same way.
Unlike most forested trails, this one invites you to wade through ankle-to-knee-deep water, making it a favourite summer adventure for families and groups of friends.
Note that the walk is closed between 1-August and 31-October for lambing.
Location: 45 minutes from Palmerston North. Pohangina Road, Pohangina.
© QFSE Media on Wikipedia16. Purity Hut (3-4 Hours One Way)
A steep climb most of the way, the Purity Hut track is one for determined hikers. Hike above the treeline of the Hikurangi Range to this hut with excellent views of the surrounding mountains.
The 3-4 hour route begins at the end of Renfrew Road near Mangaweka and follows a farm track before entering beech forest.
Note that you will need walking access permission for this track. Contact the Department of Conservation (06 350 9700) to get the landowner’s contact details.
Location: 1 hr 45 mins from Palmerston North. Mangakukeke Road, Mangaweka.
© Michal Klajban (Hikingisgood.com) on Wikipedia17. Paengaroa Scenic Reserve Walk (15 Minutes Return)
A great place to come for a picnic, the Paengaroa Scenic Reserve Walk takes you over the Hautapu River to an area surrounded by unique and rare vegetation.
The 700 m (766 yd) return track winds through dense native bush where rimu, kahikatea and tōtara dominate the canopy, while lush ferns and mosses carpet the forest floor.
Find this walk near Taihape, where you can also do the 5 Terrific Things to Do in Taihape.
Location: 1 hr 30 mins from Palmerston North. Along Mataroa Road turn right before the Mataroa School and cross the railway bridge to the car park. Mataroa Village.
© NZPocketGuide.com18. Mangaweka Scenic Reserve (1-hour Loop)
A simple track through lowland forest to get spectacular views of Mangaweka village, the Ruahine Ranges and the cliffs along the Rangitikei River valley.
The 1 km (0.6 mi) loop track takes about an hour, weaving through tall podocarp and broadleaf forest. Because of its roadside access, this loop is an easy add-on for road trippers heading north or south.
Location: 1 hr 45 mins from Palmerston North. Te Kapua Road, Mangaweka.
© PhilBeeNZ on Wikipedia19. Bruce Park Loop Track (20 Mins-1 Hour Loop)
Bruce Park loop track makes a figure of eight, so you can cut the walk short or complete the whole loop. Walk through a large archway memorial dedicated to the conservationist, Robert Cunningham Bruce, into the forest.
Walking the circuit takes anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on how often you stop to admire the trees or read the interpretive signs that highlight both the ecology and the park’s history as a protected reserve since the 19th century.
Location: 45 minutes from Palmerston North. Silverhope Bush Road, Hunterville.
© Rudolph89 on Wikipedia20. Iron Gate Hut Track (4-5 Hours Return)
Follow the Alice Nash Memorial Heritage Lodge track (see point 12) and continue to a side track following the Oroua River to the Iron Gate Hut.
This is a classic backcountry walk for those wanting a moderate day tramp or an overnight adventure. Starting from the Petersons Road end, the track follows the Oroua River through beech forest, gradually climbing and descending along terraces with river views.
After about 4-5 hours, you’ll reach Iron Gate Hut, a 6-bunk serviced hut nestled in a clearing beside the river. Many trampers use it as a base for further Ruahine trips, but it’s also a popular turnaround point for day walkers.
Location: 1 hour from Palmerston North. Petersons Road end, Apiti.
© ManawatuNZ.co.nz21. Branch Road Walkway (1 Hr 30 Mins One Way)
Follow an old road which was closed in the 1960s called Branch Road to Ridge Road where the track descends into open farmland with views.
The Branch Road Walkway traces an old dray road built in the late 1800s, once linking Norsewood and Ormondville in northern Manawatū. Today, it’s a peaceful 4.5 km (2.8 mi) trail that takes around 90 minutes one way, with the option to walk part of it as an out-and-back.
Because of its heritage, you’ll notice old cuttings and benched road formations that were carved by hand over a century ago.
Location: 30-40 minutes from Palmerston North. Ridge Road, Pohangina Village.
© NZPocketGuide.com22. Waitarere Forest (2 Hours Return)
There are a number of walks that can be done on 4×4 tracks in the Waitarere Forest, however, few are signposted. A popular track is from Waitarere Beach to the Foxton Estuary taking you through the forest.
The wide trails are popular with walkers, runners, cyclists, and horse riders, giving the area a friendly community feel.
Location: 50 minutes from Palmerston North. Waitarere Beach Road, Waitarere.
© Jeff Hitchcock on Wikipedia23. Kohitere Trig (2 Hours Return)
A popular walk which provides alternative access to the Totara Reserve by foot or by bike. Walk through the Kohitere Forest up to the trig providing awesome views of the South Island, Kapiti Island, Mt Taranaki and Mt Ruapehu on a clear day.
The mix of shaded pine forest and open ridgelines gives the hike good variety, and the steady gradient makes it a manageable challenge for walkers with moderate fitness.
The track can be found near Levin where the 10 Fun Things to Do in Levin can be experienced!
Location: 40 minutes from Palmerston North. Denton Road car park, Levin.
© Pixabay24. Coppermine Creek Track (2 Hours Return)
Walk through lowland forest on the Coppermine Creek Track where copper was once mined. There are plenty of picnic tables along the way to make the most of it.
The highlight is the site of old copper mining operations dating back to the 1880s, where remnants of adits (mine shafts) and rusted machinery can still be seen. Interpretation panels explain the mining era and its eventual decline.
Location: 55 minutes from Palmerston North. Coppermine Road, Woodville.
© Pixabay25. Ashhurst Domain (25-35 Minutes Return)
There are a variety of walkways in the Ashhurst Domain through native bush, along the Manawatu River, and with views over conservation wetlands.
Interpretation signs along the way highlight the forest ecology and the importance of preserving these remnants of lowland podocarp forest.
The domain also has extensive picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields, so you can easily make a half-day outing of it.
Check out more activities nearby in the 5 Amazing Things to Do in Ashhurst.
Location: 15 minutes from Palmerston North. Cambridge Avenue, Ashhurst.
© NZPocketGuide.com26. Mt Lees Reserve Walk (25 Minutes Loop)
Loop around this 2 km (1.2 mi) sheltered bushwalk with the sound of tui echoing through the trees. There are multiple short sidetracks for some more exploration.
In spring and summer, the reserve bursts into colour with rhododendrons and flowering natives, while autumn brings rich hues to the deciduous trees around the homestead grounds.
The Mt Lees Reserve also has barbecue facilities so spend the afternoon the Kiwi way! Camping is also permitted.
Location: 20 minutes from Palmerston North.
© Maggie Vine27. Bledisloe Park (30–45 Minutes Loop)
We love Bledisloe Park for its peaceful escape right on the doorstep of Palmerston North’s city centre. This leafy reserve, nestled beside Massey University, offers an easy bush walk that’s perfect for a quick nature fix.
Boardwalks and bridges make the track accessible in most weather, while the flat, well-maintained path is ideal for families and casual walkers alike.
For a touch of history, the historic Caccia Birch House on the park’s edge connects this green oasis to the city’s heritage.
Location: Bledisloe Park, Fitzherbert. Adjacent to Massey University campus, about 3 km (1.9 mi) from the city centre.
© ManawatuNZ.co.nz28. Limestone Creek Reserve (30–45 Minutes Return)
Tucked away near Āpiti in northern Manawatū, Limestone Creek Reserve is home to one of the region’s most enchanting short walks.
This 1 km (0.6 mi) return track leads you through a magical limestone gorge, where thousands of glowworms illuminate the rock walls after dark.
By day, the scenic reserve captivates with its lush bush, mossy cliffs, and overhanging ferns.
Location: Near Āpiti, Northern Manawatū, North Island. Approximately 60 km (37 mi) from Palmerston North.
© ManawatuNZ.co.nzMore About Palmerston North
That’s it for our guide to hikes around Palmerston North; for more information about outdoor activities in the area, check out the following articles:
- 10 Super Things to Do in Palmerston North
- 10 Free and Cheap Things to Do in Manawatu
- Things to Do in Palmerston on a Rainy Day
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Palmerston North.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2025])
- Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2025])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
