Pinnacles Ridge Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Pinnacles Ridge Track leads to a lookout with dramatic views of earth pillar formations.

This DOC directory entry covers Pinnacles Ridge Track in Wellington, within Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 1.5 km one way
• Walking time: 45 min one way
• DOC grade: Easy

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

• Pinnacles Ridge Track closed; First published on 3 September 2026. Last reviewed on 6 October 2026.

• Putangirua Pinnacles car park closed; First published on 21 February 2026. Last reviewed on 3 September 2026.

Seasonal restrictions

There is a stream crossing on this track with no bridge. This track is not recommended during or immediately after heavy rain as the stream can flood and rockfall/landslide risk is higher.

Dog access

Dogs on a leash only. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Pūtangirua Pinnacles are spectacular earth pillar formations. This area was a Lord of the Rings filming location.

The track starts at the car park off Cape Palliser Road, then follows Pūtangirua Stream. Follow the signposts as the track then leads up the hill to a ridge above the pinnacles.

The track ends at a lookout with excellent views of the pinnacles.

There is no track to the base of the pinnacles or up the stream beyond the ridge track turnoff. This is due to the risks from landslides and falling rocks.

For your safety, stay on the track. The best way to view the pinnacles is from the lookout.

Getting there

This walk is in Pūtangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve. It is around 40 mins from Martinborough to Pūtangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve.

Drive from Martinborough to Whāngaimoana, then follow Cape Palliser Road around the coast. The turn-off to the track and Pūtangirua Pinnacles Campsite is 500 m past DOC's bookable Te Kopi Lodges.

There is parking, a toilet and a shelter at the track entrance.

Know before you go

Stay on the track, this is a naturally unstable landscape

There is a high risk of rockfalls and landslides in this area, including in the stream bed, along Pinnacles Ridge Track and around the pinnacles themselves

Always stay on the marked track. Do not walk close to the cliffs or to the base of the pinnacles.

Stream crossing needed, go in dry weather

There is a stream crossing on this track. Pūtangirua Stream can rise quickly after heavy rain and there can be flash floods.

Check the weather forecast before heading out, pick a dry day for the walk, and be prepared to turn back if the weather changes. Do not cross Pūtangirua Stream during or after heavy rain, or when the stream is flooded.

Bring sturdy shoes, warm clothes and water

Wear sturdy footwear with good grip and pack warm clothing.

There is no water on the ridge and the area can be very hot in summer, so carry a water bottle.

Nature and conservation

The Pūtangirua Pinnacles are some of the best earth pillar formations in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Pūtangirua Stream has eroded deep gullies into the soft gravel. Rainwater flows down these gullies vertically and washes away the gravel, but large boulders protect the gravel immediately below them, creating the pinnacles. Many of the pinnacles have now lost their capping rocks and so are eroding.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.