Akatarawa River

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.

You can download a map and more detailed information about the forest from the blue box on the right of the screen.

Look after yourself and the forest:

• You must have a permit for quad and trail biking, hunting and fishing (licence required).
• Wilderness camping is permitted but no camping facilities are provided.
• For safety reasons no private 4WD trips are allowed.
• Watch out for logging trucks on the main roads on working days.
• Do not cut, fell or remove any trees or shrubs in the forest.
• Fires require a permit and must only be lit in formed fireplaces or on open riverbeds. Check if there is a fire ban. Extinguish all fires before leaving. If you spot a fire: notify authorities promptly (call 111).
• Dogs are welcome, except on the Cannon Point Walkway. Keep your dog under control at all times.
• Poison may be laid in the forest to control possums. Do not remove any warning notice, or disturb baits, lures or carcasses.
• Parts of the forest may be temporarily closed for logging or maintenance reasons. For your safety, please obey all signs.

The weather in this area is notoriously changeable. Cold wet winds chill very quickly so carry warm waterproof clothing even if the weather is fine.Take high energy snacks with you, drinking water, topomap R26 and compass and a first aid kit.

See  Metservice for the latest weather forecast.

Always advise someone of your intended route and when to expect you back.

All visitors:

Off SH2: Karapoti Rd via Akatarawa Rd, Upper Hutt (motor bike entrance)

Off SH1: Maungakotukutuku Rd, via Waterfall Rd 1km north of MacKays Crossing (motor bike entrance)

Via Cannon Point Walkway: Bridge Rd (off Akatarawa Rd); Tulsa Park off Totara Park Rd, Upper Hutt

Non-motorised visitors:

Off SH 58

- Cooks Rd via Moonshine Rd and Bulls Run Rd

- via Battle Hill Farm Forest Park, Paekakariki Hill Rd

Public transport

To reach the Cannon Point Walkway, take a No 111 bus (Mon-Sat) to the end of Totara Park Rd from Upper Hutt Railway Station.