Last updated October 2026
The Catchpool Loop Walk is a short, easy walk in Catchpool Valley, Remutaka Forest Park, through a nīkau grove and mature podocarp and broadleaf forest. DOC grades it Easy to intermediate and allows about 30 minutes for the 1.6 km loop. It starts just below the car park, beyond the bridge over Catchpool Stream, and returns along the Ōrongorongo Track.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check DOC's current alerts for Catchpool Loop Walk on the day you walk.
Current alerts on DOC
Practical Information
- Start
- Below the Catchpool Valley car park, across the lawn and footbridge
- Distance from the city
- About 15 km from Wellington (DOC gives Catchpool Valley as about 30 km from Wellington)
- Walking time
- 30 minutes
- Track length
- 1.6 km loop
- Grade
- Easy to intermediate
- Dogs
- Dogs on a leash only
- Track type
- Walking track
- Managed by
- Department of Conservation
- Status
- Open when checked on 18 October 2026. Check DOC before you go.
About Catchpool Loop Walk
From the bridge across Catchpool Stream, the walk heads upstream through a grove of nīkau palms and into mature podocarp and broadleaf forest.
It reaches another bridge, where it meets the Ōrongorongo Track. You complete the loop by walking back down the Ōrongorongo Track to the car park.
When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC had an alert for the Remutaka Forest Park area: a large tree has fallen across the Ōrongorongo Track; DOC says it “can be passed but you may need to duck under it”. DOC didn’t say where on the track the tree is.
Catchpool Valley is the most popular entrance to Remutaka Forest Park, a 22,000 ha park covering much of the Remutaka Range. The Remutaka Forest Park Trust began releasing North Island brown kiwi into the park in 2006, and DOC notes bellbirds, tūī, kākā, kererū and ruru live here.
When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC had an alert for the Remutaka Forest Park area: ungulate (goat, deer and pig) control in parts of the park from 10 August 2026 to 30 June 2027, including aerial shooting and ground hunting with indicator dogs. Check DOC’s operation area map to see whether it covers Catchpool Valley.
Getting to Catchpool Valley
DOC says Catchpool Valley is 12 km south of Wainuiomata and about 30 km from Wellington. Take the Coast Road 10 km to the park entrance, then drive 2 km up the Catchpool Valley road to the car park and information area.
If water is running over the ford on the road, leave your car before the ford and walk the Nga Taonga Nature Walk to the car park.
Where to Learn More
Department of Conservation: Catchpool Loop Walk: track information, alerts and status. Track information: Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Department of Conservation: Remutaka Forest Park: park overview, dog access areas, hunting rules and other entrances to the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Catchpool Loop Walk?
About 1.6 km. DOC allows 30 minutes.
Where does it start?
On the downhill side of the Catchpool Valley car park, across the lawn and footbridge.
How hard is it?
DOC grades it Easy to intermediate.
Can I take my dog?
DOC lists this walk, and the Ōrongorongo Track that completes the loop, as dogs on a leash only. Some areas of Remutaka Forest Park are closed to dogs to protect kiwi, so check DOC’s dog access information for the park before bringing a dog.
What will I see?
A nīkau grove and mature podocarp and broadleaf forest beside Catchpool Stream.
Does it connect to other tracks?
Yes. It joins the Ōrongorongo Track, which you follow back to the car park.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Track Facts: Track facts and line: Crown Copyright, Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026, CC BY 4.0. Elevation: LINZ (LiDAR), CC BY 4.0.