The Catchpool Valley entrance to the Rimutaka Forest Park
Catchpool Valley is the most popular entrance to Rimutaka Forest Park. It includes Orongorongo Valley and its booked huts - bookings can be made via the online booking system or by contacting the Wellington Visitor Centre.
Within Catchpool Valley are attractive short walks and access to longer bush tramps, a well maintained campground, and pleasant picnic and barbecue facilities. There is also a field centre, toilets, and a 24-hour emergency telephone.
The Catchpool Valley is undergoing a transformation as pine trees planted by the former New Zealand Forest Service are removed to enable the return of native forest.
Alternative camping sites are available in the mid valley section of the park.
Attractions and facilities include picnic areas, a campground, booked huts and a wide range of walks. The move from pine trees to natives is a major feature of the area.
The walks in the Catchpool Valley are suitable for all ages and fitness levels. There is also a specially marked dog exercise area just past the park entrance gate.
You can book the huts in the Rimutaka Forest Park's Orongorongo Valley, either online or by contacting the DOC Wellington Visitor Centre. You can also stay at the campground at Catchpool.
Find out how you get to Catchpool and Orongorongo valleys, what safety and other rules you need to follow, and view a map.
In the Rimutaka Forest Park you can enjoy some of Wellington's finest mountain biking, not to mention the native birdlife and walking tracks.
View a video about the Catchpool and Orongorongo valleys in the Rimutaka Forest Park and Turakirae Head near Wellington.
Catchpool and Orongorongo Valleys: Looking to the future (PDF, 841K)
Rimutaka Forest Park - Catchpool Valley and Orongorongo Valley brochure (PDF, 572K)
Catchpool Connection newsletter
Mountain Biking in Rimutaka Forest Park: Future Opportunities in Catchpool Valley (PDF, 1,113K)
NZ weather
We recommend you use the latest New Zealand topographic maps if you are embarking on a major tramp. Find out how you can obtain these maps on the Land Information New Zealand website
Important notices about DOC managed areas in the Wellington region
Wellington NZ website
Footnotes - Wellington Hawke's Bay Conservancy newsletter
Stop the spread of didymoCheck, Clean, Dry all items before entering, and when moving between, waterways.
Safety information
Always contact the nearest visitor centre for the latest information about facilities and conditions.
