Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest

The redwoods at Whakarewarewa were planted in 1901 as part of a trial of exotic timber species, and coast redwood turned out to grow faster here than in California - the trees are only a little over a century old and already tower, with a soft red-brown floor of needles beneath and tree ferns filling the understorey, which is the combination that makes the grove look unlike either a Californian or a New Zealand forest. The wider Whakarewarewa Forest is the country's best-known mountain biking network, with well over a hundred kilometres of purpose-built trail graded from beginner to expert, all free to ride. Walking tracks run from thirty minutes to several hours. The Redwoods Treewalk is a suspended bridge circuit through the canopy, lit at night by lanterns designed by David Trubridge, and it is the one ticketed part. The forest is on land of the Ngati Whakaue and CNI iwi.

What you actually see

• The 1901 redwoods - a century old and already enormous.
• The tree fern understorey - the mix that makes the grove distinctive.
• The bike network - over a hundred kilometres, free to ride.
• The Treewalk - canopy bridges, lit by lantern at night.

When to go

Any season - it is sheltered and the floor drains well. The Treewalk after dark is the version worth paying for. Weekend mornings are busy with riders.

Honest expectations

Walking tracks and bike trails share ground in places - watch for riders. The Treewalk is ticketed and separate from everything else. Parking on Long Mile Road fills at weekends.

Nearby

Te Puia and the Whakarewarewa living village are adjacent; Blue Lake and the Rotorua lakes are east.