Wellington Regional Trails
Three people each dressed in pink, green and blue walking in green forest next to a wooden directional sign that reads Totara Loop.

An easy walk that is a good warm up before connecting to the Matai Loop track.

Walking time

1 hr

Length

1.2km

Uses

Walking/Running

Type

Single track

Walking difficulty

Easy: Walking track

Profile

259m highest point

Dogs

Yes (on lead)

About the trail

The Tōtara Loop is an easy trail that takes about 1 hour to complete from the car park. Along the way you'll see old native Tōtara, Hinau, and Rewarewa trees.

A family reads the information in the hub at Rewanui Forest Park. They are all wearing neon clothing.

Getting there

To get to Rewanui Forest Park from Masterton, follow Te Ore Ore Road towards the Castlepoint for 22 kilometres. Look for the Rewanui Forest Park sign, with the main car park 400 metres beyond it. 

Tōtara Loop starts from the Access Track. To get there, follow the signs near the toilet block.

Know before you go 

  • Toilets are available at the start of the Totara Loop and end of the Access Track.
  • The surface is rough in places. 
  • For more tips and advice before heading out on Wellington’s trails check out our before you go section.
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A family in neon clothing walking on a wooden boardwalk surrounded by green farmland.

Access Track

Rewanui Forest ParkA short connector track through farmland that connects to the loop trails in Rewanui Forest Park.

Three people dressed in pink, green and blue walking in a dense forest of tall trees and native ferns.

Matai Loop

Rewanui Forest ParkA bush walk with steep sections, historic Matai trees and plenty of variety along the way.

Three people sitting on a grassy hill dressed in pink, green and blue. They are looking out across the landscape of rolling hills and farmland.

Mt Clyde Track

Rewanui Forest ParkWalk to the highest point in the park and see outstanding views from the Tararua Range to Castlepoint.

A dark red farmhouse surrounded by green farmland and rolling hills in the background.

Exotics Loop

Rewanui Forest ParkEnjoy the forestry side of the park that offers a connecting route from Mt Clyde back to the Access Track.

Two people are walking up the steps in front of the Castlepoint Lighthouse in the Wairarapa region.

Castlepoint Lighthouse Walk

In a region full of wonderful vistas, this short trail along a wild, rugged coastline leads to one of the most recognisable landmarks in New Zealand.

A drone shot of two adults and two kids standing on a bridge over a river in Tararua Forest Park.

Donnelly Flat Loop Walk

An easy walk for the whole family among mature podocarp and broadleaf native trees in the Tararua Range.

Two adults and two kids cross a bridge surrounded by trees on the Gentle Annie Track to Mount Holdsworth in Tararua Forest Park.

Gentle Annie Track

Climb up to Mountain House Shelter along one of the most popular half-day trails in Tararua Forest Park.

A person walking along a rocky canyon at the Putangirua Pinnacles track in the Wairarapa.

Putangirua Pinnacles Track

Get up close and personal with ancient rock formations that are featured in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’.

Two adults and two children are at the Rocky Lookout, on Mount Holdsworth in the Tararua Forest Park.

Rocky Lookout

An easy trail to a viewing platform with extensive views over Tararua Forest Park and the Wairarapa Plains.

A person walking along a swing bridge on the Atiwhakatu track in Tararua Forest Park.

Atiwhakatu Track

Walk alongside the Atiwhakatu River and return the same day, or rest at Atiwhakatu Hut overnight.