Remutaka Forest Park, Forest park in Wellington Region, New Zealand
Remutaka Forest Park covers forest land in the southern Rimutaka Range, with dense bush, open grassland, and river valleys spread across the region. The area has five basic mountain huts and camping areas at several access points along the range.
The park was created in 1972 and holds remnants of old railways and roads that once served Māori people and European settlers. These historic routes still show the paths people used to cross the region.
The northern section protects a population of Mantell kiwis, where dogs are not allowed to keep these native birds safe. Visitors walking through the quieter trails can sense how the park's rules focus on protecting wildlife rather than other uses.
You can enter the park at several points along the mountain range, with easier routes through the valleys for those starting out. The huts make good overnight stops for longer hikes, so check beforehand which ones have space available.
A network of mountain bike trails connects the park with other areas of the Wellington region, giving visitors a different way to explore beyond hiking. Many people combine these rides as part of a larger cycling experience across the region.
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