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          Rātapihipihi Scenic Reserve Track - Nikau Loop Walk

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          Rātapihipihi Scenic Reserve Track - Nikau Loop Walk

          198 Cowling Road, Hurdon, New Plymouth

          Walks & TrailsOpen Now 4.7
          With dappled light shining through nīkau palms, kohekohe trees and tawa, this lush temperate rainforest walk is very photogenic and looks like a walk in the tropics. It is an easy-to-follow track, but can be steep in places and has steps. It is well worth a visit.

          Key points of interest include:

          • An outstanding example of a lush, temperate rainforest with kohekohe, tawa, pukatea and nīkau palms.
          • A small wooden gate that leads you into the forest, where you’ll see the glossy leaves of the kohekohe.
          • A small scenic waterfall, which presents a lovely photo opportunity only a few metres beyond the first track exit back to your start point.
          • Old sawpit holes either side of the track, from when a steady stream of timber was taken from this area to build bridges.
          • Some unusual shapes that some of the trees have grown into; for example, the tawa have elbows, multi-trunks and even a window. They’re the dominant canopy trees.
          • A wall of foliage that comes out to meet the light. These include kauri, beech and tanekaha.

          For further information contact New Plymouth, Stratford or South Taranaki i-SITE Visitor Centre, or view the downloadable brochures from our website.

          Contact

          198 Cowling Road, Hurdon, New Plymouth
          doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/taranaki/places/new-plymouth-area/things-to-do/ratapihipihi-scenic-reserve-walk
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