The 'Forgotten World' Highway winds its way through sub-tropical rainforest and unblemished scenery, just as it was hundreds of years ago. This includes the beech ridge tops of the Whangamomona Saddle and the remarkable Tangarakau Gorge. The name 'Forgotten World' also represents the small communities and villages along the way, which in numerous ways have stayed untouched by the modern world, including the exclusive 'Republic' of Whangamomona.
After the Highway leaves idyllic Taranaki, the trail drops down into the rolling and then steeper inland surroundings. The highway moves through valleys and over saddles, then on through countryside consisting of grasslands, rainforests and re-generating bush.
At several sites along the route, there are vivid reminders of the area's heritage - the declining villages, a brick kiln and boarding house. There is also a disused coalmine, coal seams on the verge, riverboat landings and historic Maori sites.
The route follows the floor of the impressive 'Tangarakau Gorge' and also follows the scenic 'Whanganui River' for around 20 kilometres.
