Off-lead OKHard
Dobson Loop Track
Upper Hutt · Wellington · Loop
↑ 746 m gain↓ 743 m descenthigh 655 msteepest 39 %
DISTANCE14.2 km
ASCENT746 m
DURATION5.5–6 hr
STEEPEST39 %
ROUTELoop
RATING · HIKERS 4.4 · 71
DOG EFFORT4.7 /5 paws
PARKING10 m away
Nearest emergency vetWellington After Hours Veterinary Clinic, Wellington
04 473 7545
The route
Good to know
Dogs can run off-lead here, one of only 287 tracks in Aotearoa where that’s allowed.
River swim spotsForest shade
Check the water before the dog swims. Toxic algae blooms in NZ rivers and lakes can kill a dog within hours. Scan the LAWA water quality map in warm months and keep dogs away from dark slime on rocks.
About Dobson Loop Track
Dobson Loop Track is a loop of 14.2 km, near Upper Hutt in Wellington.
Expect hard going, with around 746 m of climb, pitching up to 39 % at its steepest, and takes about 5.5–6 hr to walk.
Walkers come for native forest, river frontage, big views, and wildflowers. Dogs are allowed off the lead on this one. Hikers rate it 4.4 / 5 across 71 reviews.