City Walkways
From manicured botanic gardens to untouched native bush, the choice is yours. From short, easy ambles to challenging climbs, it's all here.
ANZAC Park
Breathtaking views over Palmerston North City greet you at the entrance of this short walk. Explore further for a journey through established native bush and back through a scattering of pines.
Distance: 0.55 kilometres
Contour: Rolling with some moderate slopes
Surface: Gravel, forest floor and steps
Access Points: Cliff Road
Conveniences: Car park
Special Attractions: City views, bush and observatory
Bledisloe Park - Old West Road
This circuit extends across a variety of landscapes through native bush, pine forest and farmland. Leaving the Turitea Stream behind, the track emerges into open space and a playground at the Atawhai Road access point, a great rest spot for adults and children alike. You can then opt to finish your walk on Old West Road, or continue on under the bridge, into the Turitea Walkway.
Distance: 3.2 kilometres
Contour: Undulating with moderate to steep climbs
Surface: Mostly gravel and steps
Access Points: Old West Road, La Lena Grove,
Springdale Grove, Atawhai Road, Massey University
Avenue, Tennent Drive
Conveniences: Playground, picnic benches and car parks
Special Attractions: Views of Massey University and countryside, native bush, stream access and access to an arboretum
Bledisloe Park
Join the native birds as this path journeys through one of Palmerston North’s native bush remnants. The pathway also links up with the Turitea Stream where babbling water, birdsong and fresh bush scent combine to create an oasis of calm.
Distance: 0.51 kilometres
Contour: Flat
Surface: Gravel
Access Points: Tennent Drive, Massey University Avenue (x2)
Conveniences: Car park, picnic benches
Special Attractions: Turitea Stream access, native bush
Centennial Lagoon Walk
Leave the city clamour behind and be entertained by the wealth of bird life that shelters in this environment. This open, picturesque walkway follows the Hokowhitu Lagoon from beginning to end.
Distance: 1.1 kilometres
Contour: Flat
Surface: Limestone
Access Points: Centennial Drive, Caccia Birch Lane
Conveniences: Car park, picnic benches, toilets
Special Attractions: Lagoon views, bird life
Frederick Krull Walkway
For a journey of varied scenery, take this walkway through sports field, meadow reserve, and suburban streets.
Distance: 1.5 kilometres (length of reserve)
Contour: Flat to mildly contoured
Surface: Grass
Access Points: Fernlea Avenue, Schnell Drive (x2), Parnell Heights (x2), Logan Way, Roberts Line
Conveniences: Car park, picnic table
Manawatu Riverside Walkway and Bridle Track
Experience the ever-changing views of the Manawatu River and its surrounds on this open, flat walk which follows the River from the end of Maxwells Line through to Riverside Drive. While the entire route may not suit an evening stroll, numerous access points allow for the option of shorter walks.
Approximate Distances of walkway sections:
Paneiri Park - End of Dittmer Drive: 2.37 kilometres;
End of Dittmer Drive - Fitzherbert Avenue: 1.31 kilometres;
Fitzherbert Avenue - Albert Street: 1.69 kilometres;
Albert Street - Waterloo Crescent: 0.61 kilometres;
Waterloo Crescent - Ayr Place: 0.60 kilometres;
Ayr Place - Ruahine Street: 0.92 kilometres;
Ruahine Street - Ruamahunga Crescent: 1.10 kilometres;
Ruamahunga Crescent - Napier Road: 0.34 kilometres;
Napier Road - Riverside Drive: 0.94 kilometres
Total Distance: 9.86 kilometres
Contour: Flat to mildly contoured
Surface: Gravel
Access Points: Riverside Drive (off Te Matai Road), Napier Road, Ruamahunga Crescent, Ruahine Street, Ayr Place, Waterloo Crescent, Albert Street, Fitzherbert Avenue, Victoria Esplanade Drive (Esplanade access), Dittmer Drive, Buick Crescent, Maxwells Line.
Conveniences: Car parks (River Road, Napier Road, Ruahine Street, Fitzherbert Avenue, Palm Drive, Dittmer Drive, Maxwells Line), toilets at Fitzherbert Avenue access
Special Attractions: River views, river access
Mangaone Stream Walkway
The Mangaone Stream Walkway stretches from Totara Road through to Milson Line. Although you can walk the stop banks on both sides, the walkway markers switch sides from Amberley Avenue. Remember, you’re on a stop bank so take all the usual precautions for being around water.
Distances of walkway sections:
Totara Road - Pioneer Highway: 2.56 kilometres
Pioneer Highway - Amberley Avenue: 1.68 kilometres
Amberley Avenue - Highbury Avenue: 1.20 kilometres
Highbury Avenue - Botanical Road: 0.48 kilometres
Botanical Road - Tremaine Avenue: 0.56 kilometres
Tremaine Avenue - Benmore Avenue: 1.20 kilometres
Benmore Avenue - Rangitikei Line: 0.60 kilometres
Rangitikei Line - John F Kennedy Drive: 0.40 kilometres
John F Kennedy Drive - Milson Line: 0.47 kilometres
Total Distance: 9.15 kilometres
Contour: Mainly flat though slightly uneven
Surface: Grass. Stiles present at Pioneer Highway, bridge of trotting club, and Tremaine Avenue access points.
Access Points: Totara Road, Pioneer Highway, Amberley Avenue, Highbury Avenue, Botanical Road, Tremaine Avenue, Benmore Avenue, Rangitikei Line, Apollo Parade, John F Kennedy Drive (x2), and Milson Line
Conveniences: Nil
Special Attractions: A riparian walkway
Otira - Rangitane Walkway
You can start this walkway at Paneiri Park, travelling up Escort Grove through pasture into the Rangitane Reserve, a large open space carpeted in grass and bounded by native plantings. Up for more? You can extend your walk on the circuit back to Totara Road where the walkway joins the Mangaone Stream Walkway.
Distance: 1.56 kilometres or 3.93 kilometres (circuit through Mangaone Stream)
Contour: Flat with some moderate slopes. Rangitane Reserve has a gently sloping surface.
Surface: Concrete footpaths, limestone (Otira Walkway), and grass (Rangitane Walkway)
Access Points: Maxwells Line (Paneiri Park), Totara Road, Otira Place, Racecourse Road
Conveniences: Playground
Special Attractions: Large areas of open space
Pari Reserve Walkway
Take a short walk past natural swampland and a vegetation-edged pond on this residential walkway, which also offers a convenient short-cut back through Cashmere Drive. More walkways are planned for this area.
Distance: 0.5 kilometres
Contour: Moderately contoured with a steep climb up to Aokautere Drive
Surface: Gravel and some board-walk
Access Points: Waicola Drive, Aokautere Drive
Conveniences: Nil
Special Attractions: Pond
Poutoa Walkway
Enjoy this quite escape through a valley of establishing native bush, which now extends through the pristine Poutoa Valley through Ruapehu Drive to Cliff Road. Don’t be put off by the steep access points – the walkway soon levels out!
Distance: 2.8 kilometres
Contour: Steep access points, remainder flat to rolling
Surface: Gravel, steps (Jasmine Place)
Access Points: Jasmine Place, Summerhill Drive, Greenwood Place, Aokautere Drive, Ruapehu Drive, Cliff Road
Conveniences: Picnic benches and seats
Special Attractions: Valley views, native bush
Turitea Walkway
Leave the Old West Road car park behind as you climb towards Pacific Drive where you’ll be rewarded with amazing views over the Manawatu countryside. This path connects up with Adderstone Walkway, which leads through to Aokautere Drive.
Distances of walkway sections:
Old West Road - Pacific Drive: 1.24 kilometres
Pacific Drive - Aokautere Drive: 0.69 kilometres
(Adderstone Walkway)
Contour: Undulating with moderate to steep climbs
Surface: Gravel
Access Points: Old West Road, Turitea Road, Pacific Drive, Aokautere Drive
Conveniences: Car park, picnic bench
Special Attractions: Rural views, pond
Victoria Esplanade Walkways
Choose Walkway A to explore the heart of a native bush remnant unique to the Manawatu plains. You’ll gain the added pleasure of native bird songs and the gentle flow of the nearby Manawatu River.
Choose Walkway B for an easier, open pathway leading through the Esplanade’s delightful developed gardens and native bush. Open lawn and established shade trees form an ideal spot to lay the picnic blanket and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.
For information on the Esplanade Forest and Bird Walk, contact the Victoria Esplanade Education Centre.
Walkway A (Red)
Distance: 1.35 kilometres
Contour: Flat with minor undulation
Surface: Fine gravel
Starting Point: Victoria Esplanade Drive
Conveniences: Car park. Toilets, picnic areas, BBQ’s, paddling pool, and playgrounds nearby
Special Attractions: Native bush, established gardens
Nearby: Miniature railway, duck ponds, river access, conservatory, aviaries, café
Walkway B (Yellow)
Distance: 0.9 kilometres
Contour: Flat
Surface: Fine gravel
Starting Point: Victoria Esplanade Drive
Conveniences: Car park. Toilets, picnic areas, BBQ’s, paddling pool and playgrounds nearby
Special Attractions: Native bush, established gardens
Nearby: Miniature railway, duck ponds, river access, conservatory, aviaries, café
Titoki Walkway
Make your way through this scenic valley of newly planted native vegetation for views of the Tararua Ranges and the city. Opened in 2005 by the mayors of Palmerston North and its sister city, Kunshan (China), this walkway can be accessed from Sycamore Crescent, Cashmere Drive and Silkwood Place.
Distance: 0.3 kilometres
Contour: Moderate contoured with a steep climb up to Sycamore Crescent, Silkwood Place and Cashmere Drive
Surface: Limestone and some board-walk
Access Points: Sycamore Crescent, Cashmere Drive, Silkwood Place
Conveniences: Nil
Special Attractions: Valley views, two bridges bought in by helicopter, rest seats, small dams
Other Regional Walkways
Department of Conservation
Beehive Creek - Pohangina Valley West Road
Manawatu Gorge Walks - State Highway 3
Kahikatea Walk - Pohangina Valley East Road
Coppermine Creek Walks - Pinfold Road, Woodville
Manawatu District Council
Mt Lees Reserve - Ngaio Road, Sanson
Tangimoana - near Tangimoana Village
Totara Reserve - Pohangina Valley East Road
Branch Road Walkway - Kuku Road, Pohangina Village
North Range Road - top of Pahiatua Track
Palmerston North City Council
Sledge Track - Kahuterawa Valley
Back Track - Kahuterawa Valley
The Manawatu Walkways Promotion Society, the Manawatu District Council and the Department of Conservation have produced booklets on the other walkways within the Manawatu region. Most are available from the Palmerston North Visitor Information Centre, other regional information centres, or the Department of Conservation (Tremaine Ave).