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.

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Foris Eco-tours

Forests

Foris Eco-tours offers guided tours of the spectacular Whirinaki Forest and Rotorua's premium rafting adventure down the gorgeous Rangitaiki River. Choose guided hiking or combined river and guided walking options.

Redwoods Treewalk & Nightlights

Forests, East

Majestic and magical, the Redwoods Treewalk & Nightlights experience is truly a walk to remember.

Rotorua Canopy Tours

Forests

Soar through the trees and experience New Zealand’s ancient forest like never before – in two award-winning zipline adventures. Lose yourself on this engaging encounter with the natural world, exploring ancient native forest via ziplines, suspended swing bridges, treetop platforms and more on this unforgettable nature adventure.

Whakarewarewa Forest (the Redwoods) Mountain Biking

Forests, South

Whakarewarewa Forest, also known as the Redwoods, is a mecca for mountain bikers, with more than 180km of trails winding their way through native and exotic forest.

Whakarewarewa Forest (the Redwoods) Walking Trails

Forests, South

The Whakarewarewa Forest or Redwoods walking trails all start at the Redwoods isite, where you can pick up a map before heading to explore the forest walks.

Redwoods Altitude

Forests

Redwoods Altitude shows even more of the spectacular Redwoods Forest.

Whirinaki Forest Footsteps

Forests, South

A majestic, ancient and spiritual realm. Whirinaki Forest Footsteps is a guided cultural walking tour into the heart of a vast, Jurassic, podocarp native rain forest less than an hour from Rotorua. Hear stories from our Māori guides, as you embark on a healing journey full of discovery.