Whanganui Walking Group
(River City Walking Group)

Welcome to the Whanganui Walking Group!

(Formerly River City Walking/Tramping Group)

We are a community group based in the River City of Whanganui, New Zealand. We run a diverse range of walks and tramping trips around Whanganui and further afield. From easy short walks to full-day strenuous hikes, we have something to cater to most people's fitness and abilities.

  • Open to Everyone: Our walks and tramping trips welcome all newcomers.

  • No Annual Membership Fee: We keep our club accessible to all.

  • Get on the Email List: To receive our full programme every 1.5 months alongside regular updates, email us at: whanganui.walking@gmail.com
    See Group info tab above for more info on what email lists are avaible 

📅 Our Walking Schedule: We alternate between local or semi-local walks and out-of-town trips throughout the year. During daylight saving time, we also run popular Sunday twilight walks. When these twilight walks are active, our weekends get very busy! We aim to pack in two twilight walks and two out-of-town trips per month, meaning we will sometimes skip a standard afternoon local walk during those peak weeks to balance the schedule.

🔗 Quick Links & Safety:

  • Online Health & Safety Form: Click here to register (Required for out-of-town trips, not local walks).

  • Facebook Members Hub: Click here to check out our new Private Members Hub on Facebook to see photos and chat with the team!


📢 News & Notices

  • Schedule Updates: Please note that some of our July and August trips have had to be moved around, so do check the dates carefully!


  • Facebook Group - Members Hub: We have a Facebook group page. This is used for walk announcements and sharing photos. Follow this link to join. This replaces the old group chat


  • Helpers Wanted: We are always on the lookout for more helpers to help the walking group run more smoothly. Some of the roles you can help out in are coordinating a walk or tramp, leading or being the tail end charlie on track, and helping out with transport with our out-of-town events. If you're interested, talk to one of our leaders or come along to the planning meeting.



📅 Next Upcoming Walks

Quick snapshot of our next trips! For full details and track descriptions, click the Walk & Tramp Programme tab above.

👟 (E*-E/M) River Walk & Beach Loop (Local Walk - Shorter Options*)
Saturday 26th July 2026 at 10:30 AM
Meet: Pathway entrance on Balgownie Ave

👟 (E) Westmere Lake (Local Walk)
Sunday 2nd August 2026 at 2:30 PM
Meet: Westmere Lake Car Park on Rapanui Rd

🥾 (M) New Whangaehu Bridge Hike (Semi-Local Hike)
Saturday 9th August 2026 at 10:30 AM
Meet: Car park for Church on Ingestre (please book)

🥾 (M) Holdsworth - Gentle Annie and River Ridge Tracks Loop (Tararua Hike)
Saturday 15th August 2026 at 6:30 AM
Meet: Car park for Church on Ingestre (please book)

👟 (E*-E/M) Whanganui Walk - River to Lake (Local Walk - Shorter Options*)
Saturday 22nd August 2026 at 1:30 PM
Meet: The bearing/globe sculpture by the river on Moutoa Quay

🥾 (M) Trig Walkway / Kohitere Forest (Levin Hike)
Saturday 29th August 2026 at 8:30 AM
Meet: Car park for Church on Ingestre (please book)

📢 Important Note: Complete route maps and final updates are sent out via email and posted in our Private Members Hub on Facebook during the week of the walk. Make sure you check there before heading out!


📈 Walk/Tramp Difficulty Gradings

Note: Times and elevation gains listed below are maximums. Actual track times vary depending on the specific terrain and total height gain on the day.

  • 🟢 Easy: Up to 2 hours | Elevation gain up to 150m. Flat, easy surfaces. All rivers bridged. Open to all.

  • 🟡 Easy / Moderate: Up to 4 hours | Elevation gain up to 400m. Easy tramping tracks with ankle-deep stream crossings. Vertical climbs only on stairs. Open to all.

  • 🔵 Moderate: Up to 6 hours | Elevation gain up to 700m. Tramping tracks with knee-deep river crossings. May include small ladders and chains. Leader checks experience first.

  • 🔴 Hard: Up to 8 hours | Elevation gain up to 1000m. Backcountry tramping tracks with thigh-deep river crossings and steeper ladders/chains. Must be known to the club.

  • 🔥 Strenuous: 7–8+ hours | Elevation gain over 1000m+. Unmarked routes. Must be known to the club.