Last Updated: 6th Jul 2025
Pohaturoa Track
Redwoods Yellow Track
Submitted by Melissa Franklin
Last Updated: 6th Jul 2025
Open
Grunt Factor: 10 ?
Gnarl Factor: 21 ?
8.1km
250m
255m
427m
Last Updated: 6th Jul 2025
Submitted by Melissa Franklin
Last Updated: 6th Jul 2025
Open
Grunt Factor: 10 ?
Gnarl Factor: 21 ?
8.1km
250m
255m
427m
Urban fringe
Loop
Undulating, small hills only
Dog Friendly
Plantation/exotic forest
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +6.0%
Average Downhill Gradient: -6.2%
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1:20
Slow
1:00
Moderate
0:45
Fast
Start from The Redwoods centre and follow the signs for the Pohaturoa/Yellow Track and yellow markers. It climbs up Nursery Road after the Memorial Grove and heads out to skirt the western side of the forest, climbing up to a panoramic lookout over the Whakarewarewa geothermal valley, and to Te Puia across the city and to Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island. A mix of different tree-types, single track, stairs, forestry roads and some nice viewpoints. The track markers for this trail are yellow. The loop is easy to navigate and takes you back onto Nursery Road which brings you back to the Redwoods centre to finish.
The Pohaturoa Track can also be accessed at the southwest end near the Waipa mountain bike car park.
Note: a previous version of this trail showed the route starting at Te Puia on SH5; it has been amended to reflect the slightly shorter official Pohaturoa route.
This trail includes the peak Pohaturoa.
Views of Te Puia and Geysers as well as Rotorua and lake.
Public toilets available at the Redwoods centre.
Plenty of carparks but might be busy if Te Puia is open. I would advise you to make sure car is locked and valuables out of sight.
5 km
9 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
Generally good.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Showers and taps at Waipa entrance
wet, muddy, wind etc in winter
watch out for mountain bikers
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Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Loved this track...apart from some steps towards the summit, very runnable and extremely well marked. Nice views and great bush to run through!
October 21, 2023
Great trail so close to town. Perfect to keep busy while others are mountain biking.
October 9, 2020
Didi it twice this week - both time managed to avoid the rain. Steps have been added since I last did it a few years ago so the lookouts are much more accessible. and views across Whakarewarewa and Rotorua to the lake are great. From the trig the steam rising amongst the forest was quite ethereal after the rain. Love the forest sections - majestic trees. Great run with a bit of everything - ups and downs, single track, redwood forest, steps and forest roads.
September 19, 2020
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.
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