Mount Otanewainuku is covered by virgin forest and bird life is prolific. Emergent podocarps, especially rimu, are common and tawa, kamahi and rewarewa form the canopy.

Maori legend says Tutanikai, lover of Himemoa, leapt from Otanewainuku summit to escape his Rotorua enemies.  Geologically the mountain is a rhyolitic dome, rising above the ignimbrite plateau of the Mamaku.

The loop track to the summit starts behind the shelter and is reasonably steep in parts, but the view from the top is worth the climb. A tower constructed on the summit (640m) by the Army Territorials  offers panoramic views from East Cape to Mount Tarawera and Rotorua, and across the Mamaku plateau to Mount Ruapehu.

The Rimu Loop walk starts from the opposite side of the road from the carpark. It is gently graded and features some impressively large rimu trees, and finishes back at the road.

For the slightly more agile a well marked route branches off the Rimu Loop track after 15 min and undulates through the forest to the Whataroa Falls. Explore this lovely stream with it's cascades and pools before returning the same way. Beyond the waterfall this track goes north to the main ridge which leads to Otawa Scenic Reserve. It is about 18.5km or 9 hours to Upper Papamoa Road.

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