Belmont Regional Park
Expansive regional park with diverse trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, offering stunning views and natural beauty.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds
Belmont Regional Park
Best Time
Pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Expansive regional park with diverse trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, offering stunning views and natural beauty.
"A beautiful place to enjoy nature with rolling hills, native bush, and great views of Wellington Harbour."
👟 Sturdy Footwear Essential
Many trails involve stream crossings and uneven terrain. Wear good walking shoes or hiking boots for comfort and safety.
💧 Be Prepared to Get Wet
The Korokoro Dam and Dry Creek walks require crossing streams. Embrace the adventure or bring waterproof shoes!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Boulder Hill Hike
Kaitangata Crescent car park
Moderate 2.6km return walk to unique boulder formations with stunning valley and harbour views.
Korokoro Dam Waterfall
Maungaraki entrance
A raw, natural 1km walk each way, involving stream crossings to a beautiful, untouched waterfall.
Belmont Trig
Various trailheads
A longer, rewarding 12km hike offering panoramic 360-degree views of the Wellington region.
Dry Creek Waterfall Walk
Dry Creek campsite
An adventurous walk crossing a creek, hopping rocks, and navigating a crevice to a small waterfall.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Elements
Trail Variety & Access
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
👟 Sturdy Footwear Essential
Many trails involve stream crossings and uneven terrain. Wear good walking shoes or hiking boots for comfort and safety.
💧 Be Prepared to Get Wet
The Korokoro Dam and Dry Creek walks require crossing streams. Embrace the adventure or bring waterproof shoes!
🗺️ Download Offline Maps
Cell service can be spotty. Download park maps beforehand to navigate the extensive trail network.
🎒 Pack Light for Stream Hikes
For stream crossings, carry only essentials to make navigating the rough terrain easier.
Tips
from all over the internet
👟 Sturdy Footwear Essential
Many trails involve stream crossings and uneven terrain. Wear good walking shoes or hiking boots for comfort and safety.
💧 Be Prepared to Get Wet
The Korokoro Dam and Dry Creek walks require crossing streams. Embrace the adventure or bring waterproof shoes!
🗺️ Download Offline Maps
Cell service can be spotty. Download park maps beforehand to navigate the extensive trail network.
🎒 Pack Light for Stream Hikes
For stream crossings, carry only essentials to make navigating the rough terrain easier.
🚗 Free Daytime Parking
Parking is available at various entrances and is free during the day. Camping fees apply overnight.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Belmont Regional Park for its stunning natural beauty, offering rolling hills, native bush, and breathtaking views of Wellington Harbour. The variety of trails, from challenging hikes to adventurous stream crossings, appeals to many. It's considered a wonderful escape for families and nature lovers, with good facilities like free parking and toilets.
"Belmont Regional park is a beautiful place to enjoy nature. The park has rolling hills, native bush and great views of Wellington Habour , making its a perfect spot to escape the city.
One of the best things to do in the park is hike up to Belmont Trig. From the top, you get amazing 360-degree videos of the area. The hike is long 12 kms but give a good workout, and the path is easy to follow.
Another interesting feature is the Korokoro Dam, with beautiful water fall from the entrance - 15 minutes walk to it .
It’s adds a unique touch to the walk.
The park also offers plenty of parking at the entrance, it’s free during the day. We went on a weekend . There are clean toilets and picnics spots. So it’s great place for families or groups to relax and have a meal. With its mix of nature and good facilities, Belmont Regional Park is a wonderful place to visit in the Welly region.
Definitely coming here to try other walk. We walked for 4 hours for this and not an easy track."
Ang 20’12
"Parked my car at the entrance, it's free for daytime parking. Clean toilets available right there. You can make payments for camping if you want to stay overnight (in your camp or van). This cost is also minimal. Big ground to relax in a quite atmosphere.
Then I tracked the waterfall for nearly 1 km each way. This route is untouched, unfurnished, and quite raw and natural. So bring your tracking shoes as you need to cross the running stream (not too deep, 1 feet at places otherwise 4-6 inches deep) multiple times. I had slippers and enjoyed crossing the stream, enjoying cold water. It's fun, no risk. In the end, you will find a nice waterfall. Best in the area. Keep very little things with yourself, carrying things will be difficult due to rough terrain. Be prepared to have some fun and adventure. Not a good idea to visit with kids (10 years or less).
Keep track of orange/red arrow signals to keep a track both ways. I expect some work on track from the authorities so that more people can visit, keeping its natural thing intact."
Vineet Agarwal
"If you have only few hours that you would like to pass while at Wellington and nature is your favorite choice, then you are definitely in the right place..just outside the city!
There are several entrance options to the park, and because we came with kids around the ages of 6-14, and the weather was not stable..we decided to do a short hike (about 2.5km on each direction) up to the "boulder hill". It was a very beautiful trail, (suitable for mountain bike also) and it took us about an hour in each direction with the kids and few short stops for regrouping and taking some cover from the passing rain clouds 🌦..
The weather actually gave us a great chance to be escorted by a beautiful rainbow 🌈 the entire hike, as you can see in the photos, and it was worth the getting wet part.😊😅
The view from the hill is stunning.
Don't miss it!
Enjoy!!"
Amir Hadari
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Belmont Regional Park is easily accessible from Wellington. You can drive via SH2, with several entrances like the one off Hill Road or the Haywards Hill entrance. Public transport options are limited for direct park access, so driving is generally recommended.
There are multiple parking areas throughout the park, including at the Hill Road carpark, Dry Creek campsite entrance, and Kaitangata Crescent. Daytime parking is free.
Some trails, like the walk to Korokoro Dam, are described as raw and natural, potentially challenging for prams. However, a 'three-wheel, off-road' pram might manage some of the less rugged paths.
Yes, Belmont Regional Park is great for cycling, offering old-school XC mountain biking with lots of paths and climbs. Some areas even have MTB-specific trails.
Yes, camping is available, particularly at the Dry Creek entrance. Fees apply for overnight stays, and facilities include toilets and water.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to Belmont Regional Park itself is free during the day. You only pay if you choose to camp overnight.
The park is generally open for daytime access. Security gates at some entrances close in the evening (6 PM in winter, 9 PM in summer) and reopen in the morning.
No, there's no need to book a time slot for general day visits to Belmont Regional Park. It's a public park.
Yes, dogs are allowed in Belmont Regional Park, but they must be kept on a lead.
Many entrances offer free daytime parking and clean toilet facilities. Some areas, like Dry Creek, also have picnic spots and camping amenities.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
Popular trails include the hike to Belmont Trig (12km), the Korokoro Dam waterfall walk (approx. 1km each way with stream crossings), the Boulder Hill track (2.5km each way), and the Dry Creek Waterfall walk. +1
The Boulder Hill track is a good option for families, being a moderate 2.5km each way with beautiful views. The Korokoro Dam walk is also relatively short, though it involves stream crossings.
You can expect stunning 360-degree views from Belmont Trig, panoramic vistas of the Hutt Valley and Wellington Harbour from Boulder Hill, and scenic beauty along the streams and native bush.
Yes, there are at least two notable waterfalls: the Korokoro Dam waterfall, accessible via a raw track, and a small waterfall at the end of the Dry Creek Waterfall walk. +1
The terrain varies significantly. Some trails are well-maintained, while others, like the path to Korokoro Dam, are described as untouched, unfurnished, and raw, involving stream crossings and rough ground.
📸 📸 Photography
The summit of Belmont Trig offers incredible 360-degree panoramic shots. Boulder Hill provides stunning views of the Hutt Valley and Wellington Harbour, especially with dramatic weather. The waterfalls at Korokoro Dam and Dry Creek offer unique natural shots.
Early mornings or late afternoons often provide the best light for landscape photography. Dramatic weather, like rain clouds, can also lead to spectacular shots, including rainbows.
Absolutely! The native bush, stream crossings, waterfalls, and unique boulder formations offer diverse natural photography subjects. Keep an eye out for local flora and fauna. 
A versatile lens (like a 24-70mm) is useful for landscapes and details. If you plan on capturing waterfalls, a tripod can help with long exposures. A wide-angle lens is great for expansive views.
While not guaranteed, the park's natural environment may offer opportunities to photograph local birdlife or other small creatures. Patience and a telephoto lens can be beneficial.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
For a more adventurous outing, the Korokoro Dam walk can be fun for older children who don't mind getting their feet wet during stream crossings. Ensure everyone has appropriate footwear. The park's open spaces and picnic areas make it ideal for a relaxed family day out, with free daytime parking and toilets available at many entrances.
🚶♀️ Solo Adventurers
It's always wise for solo adventurers to inform someone of their hiking plans, including the intended route and expected return time. Carrying a fully charged phone and a portable charger is recommended, though be aware that cell service can be intermittent.
🚴 Mountain Bikers
Cyclists can explore routes like the Boulder Hill track, which is also suitable for bikes. The diverse terrain ensures a dynamic riding experience, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the scenic beauty of the park. Remember to wear appropriate safety gear and be mindful of other park users.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Trails of Belmont Regional Park
For those seeking a more rugged experience, the Korokoro Dam waterfall trail is a must. This route is described as raw and natural, requiring multiple stream crossings. While not deep, these crossings mean sturdy, waterproof footwear is essential, and it's advisable to pack light. Similarly, the Dry Creek Waterfall Walk offers an adventurous journey involving rock hopping and navigating a crevice to reach a small waterfall.
When planning your hike, remember that weather can change rapidly in the Wellington region. Always check the forecast and be prepared with appropriate gear, including waterproofs. Downloading offline maps is also a wise precaution, as mobile service can be unreliable in certain areas of the park.
Family Adventures in Belmont Regional Park
While the Korokoro Dam walk is described as raw and potentially challenging for very young children due to stream crossings, families with older kids who enjoy a bit of adventure might find it a unique experience. The key is preparation: sturdy footwear and a willingness to embrace the natural elements.
Beyond hiking, the park offers picnic spots and ample space to relax. With free daytime parking and clean toilet facilities at many entrances, it's a convenient and accessible destination for a family day out. Remember to pack snacks and water, and always supervise children closely, especially near water or on uneven terrain.
Camping and Facilities
Facilities at various park entrances are generally good, with free daytime parking and clean toilet blocks readily available. Some campsites also provide access to water. It's worth noting that security gates at some entrances have specific closing times, particularly in winter and summer, so be mindful of these if planning an evening arrival or early morning departure.
When camping or visiting for extended periods, it's wise to pack accordingly. Bring sufficient food and water, as amenities within the park are limited. Also, be aware of the park's natural state; while facilities are present, the emphasis is on preserving the natural environment.
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