The Walter Scott Reserve, located south of Mt Pirongia on Pekanui Road, was gifted to the Waikato Branch of Forest and Bird in 1963 by Lilian Valder and her sister, who farmed on the slopes of Pirongia. The vegetation in the reserve consists of tawa-kamahi forest with pukatea, miro, king fern and the occasional hinau. There is a large kahikatea in the streambed of the Pekanui Stream which is estimated to be around 600 years old and some impressive pukatea on Valder walk. Birdlife in the area has flourished due to ongoing pest control & planting projects undertaken by the Waikato branch. (Photo © leonperrie, some rights reserved)

Meet: 9 am Landcare Research Carpark or 10 am at the reserve, 80 Scott Road

Grade: Easy