About Riverhead

Riverhead Forest is located in Rodney District, North West of Auckland central.  It can be entered from several locations in Coatesville, Riverhead, Waimauku and Waitoki. 

This is working pine forest, with logging and other forestry activities during the working week. Originally planted between 1929 and 1932, on poor kauri gum land; the forest covers just under 4000 ha.  It is Crown Land, the licencee is Matariki Forests, with Rayonier Forests performing the management.  Like other crown leases, this forest includes a recreation specification in the Crown Licence, however this does not guarantee riders or any other group the right to use the forest. 

Rayonier seem friendly towards horse riders and recreational use of their forests. They currently run a voluntary fee system.  Horsegate keys are available for $50 per individual per year (discounts for couples and families).  All registered riders receive emails from Rayonier about any activities in the forest (operational or events) and a map of the forest. 

Terrain and Trails

Riverhead is a clay based pine forest, on hilly terrain.  This means that trails that cut through the forest will be wet and can be slippery. 

The forest roads are formed from a variety of metal (rocks and roadbase).  Some can be hardgoing for horses, but if you are prepared to ride at walk and trot it makes for good fitness work and there are places to have a good canter.   

Forest Roads are well signposted but there are no horse trail markers or loop track markers. 

Access and Parking

Access to the forest is by a number of horse gates. 

NOTE:  There are currently problems with hunters and motorbikes entering the forest through horse gates.  We do not want to lose our access to this forest because of trespassers. 

Horse gate keys are for horse riders only; please do not lend out your key to others.  When riding in the forest, please lock the gate immediately after you enter,  so that others cannot steal the padlocks while you ride.

Rayonier do not have to give us access, this is a privilege not a right, so please do not abuse it. 

If you see any vehicles entering the forest or anyone tampering with gate locks please report it to Sam Middlemass.

Horse gates (keys) are located at:

      • Escott Rd
      • Deacon Rd East (Off Mill Flat Rd)
      • Forestry Rd
      • Barlow Rd & Strip Rd (Off Ararimu Valley Rd)

 

Parking

The best parking can be found at the following locations:

Ararimu Valley Rd entrances - Strip Road, Barlow Rd (shown right) and Campbell Rd  provide roadside (laybys) parking for 3-4 horse trucks or floats at a time.  There is a wide firebreak running all the way around the forest on this side (as far as Barlow Rd), so if you park in any of these locations you can ride along the firebreak, or into the forest at a horse-gate. 

NOTE: If you park at Campbell Rd (approx 2-3 vehicles) you will have to ride along the road, either back to Barlow Rd (Zanders Rd) or to Chatham Rd.  There is no horse-gate at Chatham, but there is a rock that is easy to pop over.

Berenice Ave (a small cul-de-sac off Mill Flat Rd) provides parking for entrance through Deacon Rd East entrance.

Forestry Rd has parking (at the top near the horse gate) for vehicles.

 Map and Directions


View Larger Map

Map provided by Rayonier, includes tree ages.  Click to see larger view

 

Photos

 This photo album includes photos of typical trails, parking areas, footing, horse gates, and shows the locations of photos on a map.  Click on the album cover  to view all photos

Riverhead Forest