The Skyline Walkway is an 18-kilometre ridge-top walk across Wellington's hills, from Makara Saddle in Karori to Erlestoke Crescent in Churton Park. The trailhead listed here is at Old Coach Road in Johnsonville. The route takes in Mount Kaukau, the Crow's Nest, Kilmister Tops and Johnston Hill, and it can be done in stages because it has many entry and exit points.
The walk takes up to seven hours. On a clear day the views include the Kaikōura ranges, the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington city and harbour, and the Tararua and Orongorongo ranges. The website calls the route challenging in places, with extreme weather possible on the exposed ridge. Reasonable fitness is needed for the full trail. Warm clothes and sturdy footwear are essential, and walkers should bring lunch and plenty of water. There are no toilets or water along the way. Purple markers mark the track, and dogs must be on a lead outside dog exercise areas. Our view is that it is a strong option for a full day's walk with wide views over Wellington.