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Remutaka Hill Road: Highway 2, Remutaka Range, Wellington
Photo: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia · Public domain

Drives Wellington, New Zealand Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa and Wellington

Remutaka Hill Road: Highway 2

SH 2 · Kaitoke → Featherston

Intense10.3 mi20 min2,100 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,800 ftOne way
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The drive

Remutaka Hill Road is State Highway 2 where it crosses the Remutaka Range between the Hutt Valley and the Wairarapa. This drive starts at Kaitoke, on the Upper Hutt side, and climbs in tight switchbacks to the summit before dropping down the far side to Featherston. It is only 17 km, but most of it is bends.

For most Wellington and Wairarapa traffic there is no easy alternative. With the hill shut, the other routes between the two regions are SH3 over Te Ahu a Turanga and the Pahiatua Track, and NZTA puts the detour via SH1 and SH57 at about three extra hours.

The range is exposed. Strong wind can close the road at short notice, and the road is also shut overnight on planned nights each year for maintenance.

Along the way

  1. Kaitoke
  2. Featherston
Elevation
2,100 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,800 ft
KaitokeFeatherston
Curves
Twisty most of the way
KaitokeFeatherston
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Strong wind closes the hill at short notice; NZTA has recorded gusts of 141 km/h at the summit. High-sided vehicles, campervans and motorcycles should take particular care.
  • NZTA schedules planned night closures, 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., several times a year. Light vehicles can cross in escorted convoys during closures, and heavy vehicles must detour.
  • The road is twisty most of the way and carries trucks.
  • The name is spelled both Remutaka and Rimutaka; NZTA uses Remutaka.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check NZTA Journeys: traffic and road conditions.

Questions about this drive

How long does Remutaka Hill Road take to drive?

Remutaka Hill Road from Kaitoke to Featherston is 17 km (10 mi) and takes about 20 minutes.

Why does the Remutaka Hill close?

Strong winds can close SH2 over the Remutaka Hill at short notice, and NZTA also closes it on planned nights for maintenance.

What is the alternative to the Remutaka Hill?

The other routes between Wellington and the Wairarapa are SH3 over Te Ahu a Turanga and the Pahiatua Track. NZTA puts the detour via SH1 and SH57 at about three extra hours.

Can you drive the Remutaka Hill during a night closure?

Light vehicles can cross during planned night closures in an escorted convoy. Heavy vehicles can't and must use the detour.

What you get in the app

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Remutaka Hill Road: Highway 2, from Kaitoke to Featherston