Rimutaka forest park is found just 30 km from Wellington. The Rimutaka Forest Park is the southernmost range of the North Island’s continuous chain of mountains from Wellington to East Cape

The park’s best picnicking, swimming and walking area is the Catchpool Valley just south of the township of Wainuiomata. There are well-defined tracks through the native forest, and past clear mountain streams.

Rimutaka Incline Walk is located at the north end of the park. This is a 5-7 hour walk each way along the historic railway line, which carried trains between Wellington and Wairarapa. This walk starts on Sate Highway 2, 9 kms north of Upper Hutt. This route is suitable for mountain bikes.