When in Rotorua, New Zealand, we decided to go take our adventure to new heights – a walk amongst the giants of the forest. The Rotorua Canopy Tours Redwoods Treewalk was our first-ever tree canopy experience, and it was a delightfully serene and surprisingly fun way to connect with nature from a unique perspective.
The tree walk had 23 bridges and 22 platforms spanning about 1,814 feet. You are walking between 19 – 39 feet above the ground.
Walking up the incline to the first platform, I was excited for what was to come. We were suddenly immersed in the mid-canopy of towering Californian Redwood trees, their ancient branches forming a leafy ceiling far above. The walk itself is a clever combination of suspension bridges and platforms built around the massive trunks. I absolutely loved the gentle sway of the suspension bridges, adding a subtle thrill to each step, while the solid platforms offered moments to pause, breathe, and truly soak in the breathtaking views.
The design of the treewalk is ingenious, allowing you to get incredibly close to these majestic trees without disturbing their delicate ecosystem. You can admire the rough, reddish bark up close, watch the play of light through the leaves, seeing other native vegetation, and feel the incredible scale of the forest from a whole new angle. Towards the end of the walk, there was an optional set of stairs leading even higher, offering an elevated perspective that was well worth the extra climb.
One thing I had perhaps unconsciously expected was a bit more wildlife activity up in the canopy, where were the birds? insects? This could easily be attributed to the time of day we visited, as many are more active during dawn or dusk.
The Redwoods Treewalk also offers a nighttime experience, where the walkways and trees are beautifully lit. As we meandered through the daytime canopy, I couldn’t help but imagine how magical it would be to see the towering trees illuminated, creating a completely different atmosphere. I think that would have been incredibly cool and pretty, almost like stepping into a fairytale.
What I appreciated most during our 30 minutes or so was the walk was one way, so the flow of traffic kept moving. If you caught up to someone, you were easily able to get around them at the platform areas. When we were there it didn’t feel busy because people weren’t in our immediate vicinity, making the walk more pleasurable and quiet to reflect in such a nature filled spot.
Our first tree canopy walk was a tranquil yet exhilarating experience. It was a wonderful opportunity to slow down, look up, and appreciate the immense beauty and scale of a mature forest from an entirely new vantage point. If you’re in Rotorua, or simply looking for a unique and memorable way to immerse yourself in nature, the Redwoods Treewalk is an absolute must-do. It’s a gentle adventure that leaves you feeling refreshed and awestruck by the silent majesty of the trees.