Manawatū River Shared Pathway
Our awa walkway spans more than 10km from end-to-end. If you want to tease your wanderlust and embark on the full journey, start at Paneiri Park off Maxwells Line and you'll end up at Riverside Drive. If you're simply after a stroll, good news! There are lots of access points to choose from.
A rāhui has been placed over Te Āpiti - Manawatū Gorge walking track following a sudden death at the western end on Wednesday 24 May. The rāhui covers the entire reserve and will be in place until 22 June.
A rāhui is a restriction or prohibition on an area following an incident, such as a death, to honour the deceased, provide spiritual protection to anyone who would enter the space unknowingly and allows the area to regenerate its mauri or life force.
This family-friendly pathway is a popular one for Palmy people and it offers breathtaking views in whichever direction you decide to go, so grab your walking shoes and get on your way!
Dogs may be off-leash (but under control) everywhere except between Fitzherbert Bridge and He Ara Kotahi bridge, and along the He Ara Kotahi pathway to Linton.
There's a variety of different people and animals that share this path, so please, keep an eye out for one another.
Distance: 10.3km
Surface: Limestone, concrete, asphalt
How to get there
You can access Manawatū River shared pathway via the below entrances:
Tracks
- 2.68km – Maxwells Line to He Ara Kotahi Bridge
- 1.37km – He Ara Kotahi to Fitzherbert Bridge (the back of the Victoria Esplanade)
- 1.74km – Fitzherbert Bridge to Albert Street
- 0.58km – Albert Street to Waterloo Crescent
- 0.58km – Waterloo Crescent to Ayr Place
- 0.79km – Ayr Place to Ruahine Street
- 1.21km – Ruahine Street to Ruamahunga Crescent
- 0.38km – Ruamahunga Crescent to Napier Road
- 0.95m – Napier Road to Riverside Drive:
Amenities
Carparks, picnic tables and seating. Toilets at Paneiri Park, Dittmer Drive, Fitzherbert Avenue and Ruamahunga Crescent.
Special attractions
Fenced dog park at Ahimate Reserve, mountain biking trails, native bush, river views, river access, open parkland, open-air gym equipment, BBQs (in Victoria Esplanade), a part of Te Araroa Trail, glow paths (Albert Street)
Horses and dogs welcome
Dogs must be on-leash between Fitzherbert and He Ara Kotahi Bridges. The rest of the pathway is a dog exercise area, where you can walk your dog off-leash.
Note, there's often livestock grazing in paddocks next to the pathway between Ruamahanga Crescent and Riverside Drive.