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.

Along the walkway...

A woman standing on the pathway next to the riverbank, holding a small shaggy dog and gazing out over the water to the trees on the opposite bank.

Manawatū means 'heart standing still' as that's what happened when ancestor Hau saw our river. After a lot of travelling, Hau looked upon the river with great apprehension and then his heart stood still when he saw its mighty size and beauty.

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 from any of the entrances below. They're listed from north to south:

Tracks

  • 2.68km – Maxwells Line to He Ara Kotahi Bridge (at Dittmer Reserve)
  • 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.

The pathway near Ruahine Street.

The pathway near Ruahine Street.

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The Ahimate Reserve end of the pathway is limestone.

The Ahimate Reserve end of the pathway is limestone.

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The pathway near Ruamahanga Reserve.

The pathway near Ruamahanga Reserve.

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The pathway near Victoria Esplanade.

The pathway near Victoria Esplanade.

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The pathway is shown in red.

Map of the pathway.

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Related Information

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