Wellington’s Polhill playground: the golden triangle of Transient, Highbury Fling and Clinical.
Polhill Reserve is based in Wellington’s Aro Valley. It connects the suburbs of Aro, Brooklyn and Highbury. Polhill Reserve entrance on Aro Street is our suggested start point base for accessibility and refreshments.
Fun trivia: This was Chris McDougall’s (author of Born to Run) first run of choice within hours of arriving in New Zealand for the recent writers festival, running with the Wellington Running Meetup through the trails on a sunny summer’s evening.
You have now found one of Wellington’s favourite playgrounds. The additional paths from here can be added on like lego pieces for as many kilometres or hours as your hard working heart desires. We’ve begun with the essentials and included details on options.
Route Details
- Distance: About 7 to 7.5 kilometres
- Elevation: About 300m up, and the same down
- Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate trail. One of the sections (Transient) contains rocks and roots where you’ll want to watch your steps; the other two sections (Highbury, Clinical) are well groomed.
- Estimated time: Anywhere from 45 minutes at high speed; to a two hour plus meander.
Start Points
We have three access points for this run which form the corners of our trail triangle. This is one of the beauties of this area in being able to meet fellow runner friends in accessible and easily identifiable areas.
- (Recommended) Polhill Reserve entrance on Aro Street, noted by the grassy area, picnic tables and large signs.
- George Denton Park in Highbury, with a children’s playground and next to the sanctuary fenceline.
- Ashton Fitchett Drive at the turn off to the wind turbine road.
Directions
When running this for the first time we suggest starting in Aro Street heading uphill on Transient. Follow your way up this trail uphill and enjoy the work of the climb. You’ll come to a set of stairs on your left which you take, taking Ashton Fitchett Drive. Keep an eye out for breaks between the trees and make sure you look out over the harbour from here on the road.
Continue west now on the marked middle path between the steps (where you’ve come from) and the four wheel drive track (this goes uphill further). This is Highbury Fling, which coasts along the edge of the reserve. Admire the noisy bird life, native bush and plush trail.
You’ll pop out on the fenceline. Edge down the hill only a hundred metres or so, veering off toward the east (your right when downhill) to George Denton Park. Consider doing cartwheels on the grass.
Then, follow the well made path down the hill which is your furthest right. This is one of the newest trails in the area, Clinical, and has been a collaborative neighbourhood and community effort to build. Enjoy this cruise downhill (noting that mountain bikers will be coming upwards, but not down). You’ve earned it.
You’ll pop out in Holloway Road. Run to the end of Holloway Road for less than a kilometre, and off on your right is Aro. You’re at home base.
Facilities
This is a rocking area for facilities and fun times. Of note in Aro Street:
- Aro Cafe — exceptional coffee, a counter stacked with snacks and lovely staff who won’t bat an eye at you sitting outdoors in your running shorts
- AroBake — delicious baked goods to take with you afterwards
- Garage Project — refuelling of the craft brew variety. A couple of options here to either refresh immediately afterwards while in running shoes and neon coloured clothes (GP91) or take artistic cans of goodness with you (the Garage Project brewery)
There are toilets and a water station in Aro Park; and additionally there’s a water station on Aro Street at the Polhill Reserve entrance.
Transport: This is easily accessible from the city. It’s a 20 minute walk from Civic Square up Willis Street and Aro Street; or alternatively Bus #9 goes from the railway station and stops right outside Polhill Reserve on Aro Street. There’s streetside parking on Aro Street.
Options to Extend
- Zealandia Fenceline Loop: Join from George Denton Park. You will almost literally follow the fenceline around the edge of the sanctuary. This loop provides an additional 10-11 kilometres of running.
- Wind Turbine Extension: Continue along the four wheel drive track from Ashton Fitchett Drive/Highbury Fling entrance. Follow the fenceline for a short time before joining Car Parts, Car Parts Extension and Barking Emu. These will see you skirt around the side of the wind turbine to within sight of Wellington’s highest city peak, Hawkins Hill. As an out and back this would add an extra 8 to 10 kilometres.
- Red Rocks: Continue either up to Hawkins Hill, or down the Tip Track, or down the hillside to Red Rocks. This would best be turned into a one way if continuing to the Red Rocks coastline.
Rating
This is a spectacular Wellington gem. 5 craft brews out of a possible 5 Garage Project artistic cans. 🍺