Arapuke Forest Park

An outdoor paradise in the Manawatu. The central hub that is the Kahuterewa Rd car park offers modern vault toilet facilities, shelter and a bike wash.

From here, choose your adventure. Tramping, trail running or a grade of mountain bike trail to suit everyone. Consult the detailed map at the entrance to decide upon your activity.

Tramping tracks are accessed from the left, while Mountain bike and dual-use trails begin on the right via Black Bridge, from here there are two options:

Zig Zag Rd: As the name suggests, this dual-use track zigzags steeply before joining gravel roast and single track. Great if you’ve already warmed up on your ride from camping at Kahuterawa Reserve.

Back Track: A dual-use trail (part of the Te Araroa trail).
A great warm-up, the track gently climbs for approx. 5km to the highest point of the park, the Scotts Rd car park. This trail features a few small creek crossings that will be ridable to most people. Shuttles run from here for those who prefer to let gravity do the work can enjoy the network of groomed gravel roads linking the various tracks.

These trails are well maintained and credit to the hard work of the Manawatu Mountain Bike Club and its members.

Wildlife: 0
Scenic: 1
History / Points of interest: 1
Quiet / Relaxed: 1
Visit again: 1

Smiles per Hour rating: 4

Getting there:

From Palmerston North follow SH57 towaers Woodville. Turn into Kahurerawa Rd (signs for Arapuke Forest Park). Carpark is located 9.5 km down Kahurerawa Rd (3km past Kahurerawa Reserve)

As seen in our Camping, Mountain biking and fire cooking episode on Youtube.