Enjoy sweeping views from hiking and riding trails in this historic forest park. Learn about Maori history while you relish the farm-fresh air.
As its name suggests, this 500 hectare park offers a wonderful combination of Maori history, rolling farm land and areas of original native forest, including a swampy gully wetland.
The park was the site of one of the last battles between Maori and early colonial forces in the region. Government forces, pursuing the Maori chief Te Rangihaeata, took three days to walk just six kilometres through the dense native forest. Some of this forest remains today near the park's front paddocks.
The six walking tracks range from easy to strenuous and provide walking times of fifteen minutes to four hours. Rising from the forested gullies, the tracks towards the summit of Battle Hill offer sweeping views down the valley to Pauatahanui Inlet. Three mountain biking trails cater for a variety of experience and fitness levels. Riding times range from thirty minutes to four hours.
Camping sites are available in a beautiful tree-lined setting close to a shallow stream and the native forest reserve.
Battle Hill Farm Forest Park is located north of Wellington off Highway 58, which runs between Plimmerton and the Hutt Valley. Some of the Park's farm areas are closed for lambing between August and October, but the main tracks remain open.