You may not know it but there is considerable riding available in the Forests around Auckland.  While the ARC and local council's give scant thought to equestrians (even in areas where this is a major recreational activity) Carter Holt Harvey not only opens its forests to recreational walkers, cyclists, riders and other activities but it provides maps and manages the various recreational and logging activities to ensure everyone is safe.

 

To use the forests you must register with CHH recreational division and pay a small annual fee.  This provides you with a key to all the horse gates, newsletters outlining the activities in the forest for that period and maps of the forests.  In addition to the newsletter all registered users who provide their address will receive notification of any special activities via email i.e. previously unscheduled logging or trail closures.

 

Blog!  Read about the various CHHF Trail Rides I've been on - Parking, Scenery, Trail conditions... or go to my webshots album which has photos and descriptions of each of the trails.

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Carter Holt Harvey Forest Information

Woodhill -  Riverhead  -  Whitford  -  Redwoods

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As land managers of production forests Carter Holt Harvey Forest Resources assume a responsibility for the safety of visitors to their estate. Because of potentially hazardous forestry operations, the number of visitors and the variety of activities taking place, direction and communication are critical.

Communication with forest users assists in avoidance of clashes between activity types and more importantly ensures recreational users are aware of and kept away from normal forest operations, particularly harvesting areas and roads busy with logging traffic.

Consequently all horse riders are required to register with Carter Harvey Forest Resources and be placed on our horse rider database and mailing list.

This information sheet is designed to assist in your enjoyment of the forests. To ensure your safety and the safety of other forest users, CHHFR request that you abide by the following guidelines:

• No vehicle access into the forest unless a special permit has been issued at which time normal road rules will apply.
• Your horse gate key is confined to the purpose of which it was issued and must never be lent. ALL forest access gates must be re-locked immediately after entry.
• Unloading of horse floats is allowed only in the areas specified on your map and entry is via the route indicated. Please keep within the trails marked on your map, NO RIDING on the fore dune areas at Woodhill.
• No firearms are permitted within the forest.
• No smoking is permitted within the forest.
• Dogs may be taken, but please ensure that they are under full control while riding through the forest and particular care is required when passing by stocked grazing areas.
• Please ensure that all internal grazing area gates are closed after entry and that electric fences are not shorted out, as these forest areas are multiple use (i.e. Sand stabilisation, timber production, recreational use and grazing). Only your co-operation will ensure your continued enjoyment of the forest.
• Do not ride inside grazing areas which have signs posted on gateways.
• In times of high or extreme fire danger, access may be restricted and gates locked. Every effort will be made to notify you should this occur.

 

From 1 November 2004 the Auckland Woodhill Endurance Club is pleased to announce we are the new managers off all Registered Riders in the Woodhill and Riverhead Forests. Also securing a permanent AWEC ride base in the Woodhill Forest at the Taumauri and Bluegums campsites which will be operated much the same as the Nursery. 

AWEC has run organised Endurance rides in the forest since the 80's and is eager to take up the challenge of improving facilities and thereby your riding experience in Woodhill. For information including registration and site booking please contact Simone at 2246 State Highway 16, RD 2, Helensville or phone on 09 420 9663 or email awec@ihug.co.nz

Note: you do not have to belong to AWEC to ride in CHH Forests and membership of AWEC does not give you automatic forest registration.  Registration for forest riding is simply being managed by AWEC. 

• Rider Registration Form (pdf)
• Rules

Update 2006  - Riverhead Forest

Riverhead Forest was recently sold by Carter Holt Harvey.  Latest information from the new owners is that they are happy to have recreational use of this forest during the weekends and will do so without any cost, gates etc This usage will be on a shared basis for walkers, horse riders, mountain bikers and motorcycles will be given a separate area.  Riverhead Forest is no longer managed by AWEC.