Picnic, Cycle, Walk & Tramp

At almost every turn is a short walk or cycle track, places to picnic and take it easy.

Waitarere Forest is great for mountain biking at the beach and the Akatarawa Forest Park is popular for four-wheel driving, mountain biking, hunting, hiking and walking. There are both easy rides and hill challenges for bike riders.

There are many entrances to the Kapiti-Horowhenua side of the Tararua Forest Park – the main one is at Otaki Forks. From here you can enjoy day walks or some of New Zealand's best hiking on overnight or longer tramps.

Hemi Matenga in Waikanae offers a steep walk with a stunning view to Kapiti Island, and the Maungakotukutuku Valley has good mountain biking and walking tracks.

Queen Elizabeth Park in Paekakariki has many different inland and coastal routes for cycling and walking.

Other peaceful picnic areas are Kimberley Reserve, Ohau River (both near Levin), and Otaihanga Domain.

And, of course, every beach also offers terrific places to picnic and walk, especially at sunset. Paekakariki and Raumati beaches are easier to walk at low tide.