Visit our forests
Experience Sustainable Forestry | Recreation in our community forests
City Forests welcomes visitors to experience our sustainably managed forests through carefully planned recreational access. Our 57km of walking and mountain biking tracks, combined with hunting, horse riding, and educational opportunities, demonstrate our commitment to social contribution and community wellbeing.
Attention recreational visitors to our Flagstaff forest.
Although harvesting operations are now completed at the Three Mile Hill end of Flagstaff forest, tracks and general recreational access in large parts of the southern end of Flagstaff forest will still be closed to the public from time to time while we carry out further operations. Therefore please continue to read and obey all warning signs and stay out of any areas marked "Operational Area". If in doubt, please do not enter.
Do not enter the forest when there are strong winds. Trees can uproot, or branches, tree tops and cones may fall.
Please obey all warning signs you see in the forests.
Keep yourself and others safe by staying well away from Operational areas such as active harvesting areas, even during weekends and after normal business hours, and even when it may appear that there is no activity taking place.
Community partnership & access philosophy
Our recreational access programme reflects City Forests' commitment to social contribution and community wellbeing. By providing 57km of tracks and diverse recreational opportunities, we ensure our sustainably managed forests benefit the broader Dunedin community while maintaining operational safety and environmental protection.
These recreational opportunities, combined with our support for 13 community groups and $56,000 in annual community sponsorships, demonstrate how sustainable forestry can deliver economic returns while enhancing social outcomes for our community.
Track Access | No Permit Required
Ross Creek Forest - multi-use recreation hub
There are family-friendly walking trails as well as mountain bike tracks for all levels.
Flagstaff Creek forest walk
An historic trail, highlighting early exotic tree plantings (1910s-1920s), along with purpose-built mountain bike trails for all skill. Located off Three Mile Hill Road.
Activities in our forests that require a permit | Advance Application Required
Hunting Programmes - Supporting Wildlife Management
- Flagstaff Forest, Ross Creek, Sullivans Dam and Cedar Farm forests are permanently closed to hunting with firearms due to high levels of public access.
- Waipori Forest: Public hunting blocks are available on a ballot system for recreation and to contribute to sustainable ecosystem management
- Waipori Block 3 is now managed by Taieri District Hunting Club
- Silverpeaks Forest: Public hunting blocks are available on a ballot system Hunting access is “Walk-in” access only to designated hunting blocks unless otherwise agreed.
Permit Conditions:
- The permit holder is responsible for all members of the hunting party.
- Two additional people may accompany the permit holder only if listed on the permit by name.
- Hunting permits are for weekend hunting during daylight hours only in your designated block.
- Firearms must be unloaded until the party is in the specific hunting block area
- Permits may be cancelled at short notice and the forest closed during high fire risk and high winds
- Named permits required – a regular ballot system is used for applications, waiting lists are common.
Recreational Hunting for game animals and pests contributes to biodiversity management and pest control and is used in conjunction with commercial hunting to manage wild animal numbers.
Horse Riding Access
- Flagstaff Forest: Outside operational hours (weekends, holidays, 6pm-dusk weekdays)
- Other forest areas by special permit only
- Prohibited on walking and mountain bike tracks for safety
- Not permitted in Ross Creek Forest
