Akatarawa Forest
Covering 15,000 hectares of wilderness area between Upper Hutt and the Kapiti Coast, the Akatarawa Forest is a rugged blend of native and exotic forest. Mountain, quad and trail bikers find a variety of gentle and challenging routes along the tracks and old logging roads. Also popular for horse riding, fishing, hunting and tramping, the Akatarawa Forest provides enjoyable and testing terrain for 4WD-vehicle club trips.
- How to get there
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The Akatarawa forest is accessible by both private vehicle and public transport
- Events
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With 15,000 hectares of regenerating bush, hills, valleys, old logging roads and forest tracks, the Akatarawa Forest is very popular for a huge range of events
- Environment
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Past logging from large areas of the Akatarawa Forest has left a mosaic of forest, bush and shrublands, which provides for a diverse bird and insect life
- Forest news
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Check out this section for all the latest news from Akatarawa Forest, including current logging activities.
- History
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Māori used the Akatarawa forest for hunting and food gathering as well as an access trail to and from the Hutt Valley. The indigenous (native) forest of the area, covering approximately 14,000 hectares, has changed considerably since European settlement
- Horse riding
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Horse riding gives you a different view of the Akatarawa Forest, and is a peaceful way to explore some of the more beautiful and little known areas of the forest
- Hunting
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Greater Wellington issues hunting permits at no charge for up to six months for deer, goat and pig hunting in the Akatarawa forest
- Looking after yourself and the forest
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For your own safety and the safety of others please follow the following regulations
- Forest management plan
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Greater Wellington manages the Akatarawa Forest as a future water collection area to provide fresh, clean healthy water for the region's future generations
- Motorised recreation user code
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Greater Wellington has a number of regulations that must be followed for motorised recreation
- Mountain biking tracks
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The Akatarawa Forest has a number of mountain biking tracks ranging from easy to hard
- Walking and tramping
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The Akatarawa Forest boasts an extensive network of tracks and old logging roads for walkers and trampers to use
- Contact the ranger
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Dean Hearfield