Belmont Regional Park is situated in the Hutt Valley near the Haywards Hill turn-off.

Belmont Regional Park, located in the Hutt Valley

The Belmont ride (results) (photos) is reputedly one of the toughest on the WATRC calendar, with two substantial hill climbs over challenging going. Riders have to be very conscious of their horse's well-being, and ride carefully over some stoney ground in places.

Junior and Warehouse Grain rides cover a longer distance at a faster pace. The 20 kilometre ride has a target completion time of 2 hours 15 minutes.

The Start line is within the park environs. Riders proceed to the park entrance and along a short stretch of public road before beginning the first long ascent heading west. Turning south , the trail descends into a valley and turns to the north again. As the valley closes in, the trail turns east and climbs again, to fold back on the outwards trail for a portion. Then comes a descent northeast along a ridge, with a steep drop to a valley stream. A smaller climb traverses along the south face of the valley until a steep and stoney descent to the park. To meet NZEF requirements riders proceed down the park track to the entrance and back to the Finish line to allow horses some recovery time on level ground.

This trail covers a beautiful piece of country with panoramic views of Wellington harbour, the Hutt Valley, and the Pauatahanui inlet.

Belmont Warehouse Grain and Junior grade trail map