He Ara Kotahi is Palmerston North's newest riverside pathway, connecting the city with Linton Military Camp, Massey University and FoodHQ. The pathway was officially opened in June and as it winds its way along the river it provides breathtaking views of the river and city, before leading you through farmland, native bush and pa sites.

The star attraction of the walkway is the 194m long He Ara Kotahi Bridge, connecting Victoria Esplanade with the other side of the river. From the sky, the bridge looks like a fallen Karaka tree with its roots on the southern bank and its trunk spanning the waterway and its branches and canopy on the northern bank. At night, the bridge is lit up by 'stars' (luminous spheres) that have been sown into the bridge, and soft lighting lines the bridge, creating a feeling of the bridge floating above the river.

The pathway has four other bridges on the route out to Linton, including a suspension bridge that resembles the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

To access the pathway, there are four entrances:

• Dittmer Drive (near Victoria Esplanade)
• Fitzherbert Avenue
• Dairy Farm Road (by Massey University)
• Bells Road (Linton Army Camp)

You can choose how long you want to walk or cycle with a range of different length tracks, but remember, the track isn't a loop and you will need to come back the way you came.

Distances:

• Fitzherbert Avenue to Linton Military Camp (7.1km)
• He Ara Kotahi Bridge to Linton Military Camp (5.6km)
• Linton Military Camp to Massey University (7.4km)
• He Ara Kotahi to Massey University (1.8km)
• Fitzherbert Avenue Bridge to He Ara Kotahi Bridge Loop (3.8km)

He Ara Kotahi links up with the Manawatū River Pathway, which is a 9.8km walking and cycling pathway that follows the Manawatū River. For a longer walk, run or cycle you can combine the two pathways

Key things to remember in the outdoors:

Stick to the trail and respect the environment by making sure the only thing you leave behind are footprints. The weather can change in an instant. Make sure you plan ahead and take the right clothing and adequate food, water and supplies. Check out these  gear lists for walks and hikes.  

• Tell a trusted person your plans and when to raise alarm if you haven't returned. Send them the information directly, or use Plan My Walk.  
• Get an up-to-date weather report from the Metservice website  before setting off.
• Follow the five essential steps of the Land Safety Code.