Pohaturoa Track (Yellow)

The forest walks all start at the information centre at The Redwoods, on Long Mile Road, off Tarawera Road. The first part of the Pohaturoa Track, through the redwoods, is shared with the 5 other walking tracks. Follow the yellow arrows to stay on track. The track is mostly wide and well-formed but can be muddy and slippery in places when wet. In the dry it can be walked in walking shoes. The Pohaturoa is a walking-only trail but crosses multiple bike trails. Care must be taken to remain on track, as it is easy to miss a yellow sign and take a wrong turn. It has a range of surfaces, with half of the trail being sealed and compact gravel service roads and the other, compact dirt trails. Sections of the track are uneven and have exposed rocks, roots, and ruts which may cause trip hazards. The track climbs on a steady gradient with some short steep sections. Recommended as a one-way loop, the trail steadily climbs a wide, straight service road before branching onto a walking-only track that undulates steadily through regenerating redwood forests, climbing an elevation of 160m. The Pohaturoa finishes with a steady decline along an unsealed service road.

Facilities: Take the time to check in at The Redwoods iSite, near the entrance to the Mokopuna trail, for the latest information on this walk as parts of the route may be closed for forestry operations. Here you'll also find accessible toilets and water-filling facilities. There are seats, perch spots, and lookout points along the walkway. The Pohaturoa also connects to the Waipa Visitor Information Centre, which has accessible toilets and water-filling facilities. Signage: Outside the information centre you'll find a large overview map showing trails within the forest. The Pohaturoa is marked as a yellow track, often directed with a simple yellow arrow. The track is a walking-only trail but crosses multiple bike trails. Care must be taken to remain on track, as it is easy to miss a yellow sign and take a wrong turn. Pinch Points: The Pohaturoa track alternates between 2m+ wide service roads and 1m wide walking-only tracks. A chicane gate near the Radio Hut lookout has a 70cm clearance. Around trees and other obstacles (e.g., rocks), the track narrows to 60cm at the narrowest. Environmental: Half the Poharuroa trail is under a tree canopy. The Nursery Rd section, which makes up a quarter of the loop, is a wide gravel service road. Steps: The upper sections of the Pohaturoa track have multiple flights of steps, and some of the lookout points have step access only. Steps are generally 1m wide and without handrail support. Some beginning or end steps can be 30cm+ tall. Care must be taken when stepping off some staircases as the surface is uneven. There’s a short flight of steps where the trail reconnects at the Waipa trail fork. Seating: There are limited seats along the Pohaturoa track. The three lookout points feature seats. The lookouts are accessible by steps. There are perch spots along the track as it carves up the hillside.

Due to the high volumes of visitors, Whakarewarewa Forest is surrounded by parking. The main entrance to The Redwoods is via Titokorangi Drive , where the car park provides one designated mobility park outside the Tree Walk and another two opposite the Information Centre. Parking extends to the end of Titokorangi Drive, closer to the start of the Pohaturoa trail. However, there are no designated mobility parks beyong the information centre. Use this location in Google Maps to find your way there. It is also possible to access the Pohaturoa trail from the Waipa Visitor Information Centre , which has a large car park, including designated mobility parks.

Find tips, guides and how-to videos to help you prepare for your trip at mountainsafety.org.nz See more accessibility information and photos on Accessibel

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