Forests

Whakarewarewa Forest

Whakarewarewa Forest, aka “the Redwoods Forest”, is a hands-down favourite for locals and visitors alike.
 
Just a 10-minute drive from the city centre, the forest is home to wide, meandering trails through giant California redwoods, New Zealand’s famous silver fern, and native bush undergrowth. The cool, fresh air is ideal for walking, running and mountain biking, and the scenery provides the most amazing backdrop for family photos and selfies.
 
A section of this 5,600 hectare forest contains our world-renowned mountain bike park, which is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. 
 

Thanks to the owners and managers of the privately owned forest, access to the trails is always free. Please help us look after this incredible taonga (treasure) and preserve our ability to enjoy it.

It's important to note that this is a working forest, meaning forestry trucks and heavy equipment operate here daily felling, moving and planting trees, repairing and building tracks, etc., so if you're enjoying use of the forest, please obey all signage and detours as these are for your safety and the safety of the workers.
 

Lake Ōkataina Scenic Reserve

The name Ōkataina means the lake of laughter, a shortened form of Te Moana i Kataina a Te Rangitakaroro, which means “the ocean where Te Rangitakarora laughed.”
 
Several walking tracks and one mountain biking track through beautiful native forest with lake views offer something for everyone, with varying lengths and both easy and advanced levels. The reserve is roughly 30 minutes’ drive from town.
 
Access to the forests is always free.