The Ridge Track Walk: Wellington Day Walks

The Ridge Track is another popular Wellington day walk. Starting and finishing in Days Bay, this walk offers great views of the Wellington Harbour and to the East, the Rimutaka Forest Park. The same ridge as the Butterfly Creek Track but further north and higher. Personally I think the views are more spectacular, especially coming down the Ferry Road Track but I’ll leave that up to you to decide. The round trip takes you up the Kereru Track, along The Main Ridge Track and down Ferry Road, 2 to 3 hours walking time.

Track Desciption

Starting in Williams Park, Days Bay. Head for the duck pond…at the south end of the pond follow the sign that says the Ridge Track. It starts out gentle with a stream flowing next to the track, there will be a couple of track intersections, keep following the Ridge Track sign after about 10 minutes the climb will begin, its a steep climb through beech and rata forest with great views of the harbour as you go, 40 to 60 minutes of climbing should bring you to the main ridge. Once on the ridge follow the track to the north. After 15 minutes there will be a turn off to the Korimako track, continue on for another 30 minutes and this will bring you to the Ferry road track. Descend to Days Bay enjoying the views as you go, about 45 minutes.

To print the above map, click on mapometer.com at the top of the map. The printing and PDF option at the bottom of this page will print or download the post except the maps. Once you’ve clicked on mapometer, the link will take you to the printing or export option. If mapometer asks for your location decline, otherwise it will take you to your location and not the above map. Remember this is only a guide of the route…for more detail click on the map below, this can also be printed. 

View Larger Topographic Map

Getting There

If traveling by car, park by the duck pond in Williams Park or where ever you can find a park…its quite a popular place particularly in the summer. 

Using public transport is easy, buses run regularly to Days Bay. Take bus No. 81 or 83, for times check Metlink’s journey planner. Bus stops are marked on the map above. The Dominion Post ferry runs between Queens Wharf and Days Bay (Mon-Sun) a great way to view the harbour and Wellington’s surburbs….if visiting and you don’t have a vehicle its a good option. Check here for the ferry timetable.

Other Information

• Take food and plenty of water
• Warm clothing, raincoat and good foot wear.
• Map,  topo50 BQ32 map.

For more information on what to take hiking…read my blog on hiking gear.

If your looking for something to eat or drink after your walk…Day’s Bay has some nice cafes and places to eat…definitely a great way to unwind 🙂

Walking Times

Expect some variation in times depending on conditions and personal fitness levels. In the summer tracks are drier providing much firmer footing than wet muddy winter conditions. A fit experienced walker will be able to walk this much quicker, please provide feed back if this time needs to be extended. I’ve graded this an easy/medium walk, the climb up the Kereru track is steep and requires a good level of fitness. My definition of easy/medium means, tracks that are well defined and well marked, there are no stream or river crossings and the duration of the walk is less than 6 hours. Where as, a hard walk is one that is more than 6 hours, will have longer steeper climbs, have river crossings and requires good navigational skills.

If things get difficult and you need to shorten your walk. Take the Korimako track or return the way you came. Refer to the above map and always carry one with you.

Day walks in Wellington

The 5 best day walks in New Zealand

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