Rotorua’s iconic mountain bike trails
Rotorua can justifiably lay claim to the title of New Zealand’s leading mountain bike destination.
The city is renowned among mountain bikers as the location for a huge range of premier mountain biking events from the UCI 2006 Worlds and the UCI 2006 Oceania Championships to the inaugural single speed nationals in April 2008 and the annual madcap 12 and 24-hour Cateye Moonride. But for most, Rotorua’s mountain bike trails are just a place to have some fun!
Rotorua is truly a Mecca for mountain bikers - just minutes away from the city centre there are thousands of hectares of forest awaiting exploration.
The city’s mountain biking adventure playground is centred on the Whakarewarewa Forest with its wealth of top quality tracks. A network of more than 70km of trails caters for all levels of riders, from beginners and family groups through to experts looking for extreme action.
Trails weave their way through lush native ferns beneath soaring forest canopies of Redwood, Radiata, Douglas Fir, Eucalyptus and Larch. Riders are constantly afforded glimpses of Rotorua's beautiful lakes, geothermal activity and brooding Mt. Tarawera. Cross country or downhill, Rotorua's impressive mountain biking options mean enthusiasts can easily fill an hour, a day or an entire weekend in ‘mountain biking heaven’ while in Rotorua.
Selected to host the Worlds Mountain Bike and Trials Championships in August 2006, Rotorua proved to be an inspired choice. While the competition courses were centred on Mt Ngongotaha due a number of logistical factors, New Zealand and international competitors revelled at the chance to train and play in Rotorua’s celebrated Whakarewarewa Forest.
According the Rotorua District Council’s Events Manager, the feedback was amazing “. . . these guys and girls just loved the trails in Whaka Forest due to their technical challenges, scenic aspects and accessibility.”
Rotorua Mountain Biking at its best!
Rotorua’s own Vanessa Quinn, the 2004 elite women's downhill world champion, often thinks of the stunning trails back home in New Zealand when she is training and competing overseas.
“Rotorua has some of the best mountain biking in the world, and it is extra special to me because it’s home,” she says. “I dream about those cross country trails in the Redwoods ( Whaka Forest) when I’m away, stuck in an airport for hours or driving across country to the next race. We are so lucky to have them in our backyard.”
For further information and detailed maps about where to ride visit The Redwoods Gift Shop and Visitor centre or Rotorua i-SITE. Maps are available to purchase for the cost of $6.50 at Rotorua i-SITE and the Redwoods Gift Shop and Visitor Centre.
All profits from the sale of the Whakarewarewa Forest Recreation Guide go towards maintaining the forest's recreational tracks and facilities. Please support this initiative by purchasing a copy of the double-sided map, printed on waterproof paper. It’s perfect for carrying on forest rides in any weather. Email redwoods@rdc.govt.nz to get a copy.
Whakarewarewa Forest Recreation Guide
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Information about Wharewarewa Forest Trails
To view all the Rotorua MTB trail details, click on each of these grade signs to expand all the individual trail information.
grade two trails
Creek Track
Grade: 2
Length: 4.7km
Start point: Follows on from Tahi
End Point: Nursery Rd
Flat trail with lots of big long corners.
More info
Frontal Lobotomy
Grade: 2
Length: 2km
Start point: Hill Rd and Direct Rd intersection
End point: Tawa Rd
Gentle Climb to get up to Billy T or Tuhoto Ariki
More info
Mad if Don’t
Grade: 2
Length: 1km
Start point: Cnr Red Tank Rd and Nursery Rd
End point: Cnr Nursery Rd and 8-Mile Gate Rd
Nice rolling trail
More info
Mossy Loop & Baja trail
Grade: 2
Length: 4km
Start point: Green Lake Carpark
End point: Green Lake Carpark
Un-maintained trail with some nice views of the green lake
Sweet & Sour
Grade: 2
Length: 3km
Start point: Nice Rd
End point: Red Tank Rd
Rolling xc style single track
More info
Tahi
Grade: 2
Length: 2.5km
Start point: Across bridge from Waipa Mill Rd carpark
End Point: Start of Creek track
Mellow rolling trail
More info
The Dipper
Grade: 2
Length: 2.8km
Start point: Near intersection of Pohaturoa Rd and Nursery Rd
End point: Pohaturoa Rd
Mostly flat flowing trail with good berms, great for first timers and riders of all levels.
More info
The Lion trail
Grade: 2
Length: 1.5km
Start point: Spruce Rd
End point: Katore Rd
The Lion trail takes you back up to Katore Rd in a nice gentle climb
More info
Yellow Brick Rd
Grade: 2
Length: 1km
Start point: Reservoir Rd near the bottom end of Hill Rd
End point: String Road
Gentle climb to avoid 8-Mile gate Rd to get to Pondy New
More info
grade three trails
Be Rude Not 2
Grade: 3
Length: 2.7km
Start point: Corner of Red Tank and Nursery Rds
End Point: Waipa State Mill Rd
Fast flowing single track. Keep alert for a couple of jumps and drop offs.
More info
Challenge Trail
Grade: 3
Length: 3km
Start point: Radio Hut Rd
End point: Pohaturoa Rd
Bridesmaid to the Genesis trail, with a few more hills and ruts, but good grades.
More info
Chop Suey
Grade: 3
Length: 1km
Start point: Near corner of Reservoir Rd and Ring Rd
End point: Hill Rd
Nicely built XC trail under a thick canopy of Spruce trees
More info
G-Rock
Grade: 3
Length: 1km
Start point: Moerangi Rd
End point: Chestnut Road
A sweet new singletrack connecting Billy-T to Chestnut
More info
Genesis
Grade: 3
Length: 3.1km
Start point: Nursery Rd
End point: Radio Hut Rd
The original trail that spawned Mountain biking in Rotorua, a well thought out flowing trail under the biggest pines you'll find in Whaka. A few short hills, but easy grades
More info
Huckleberry Hound
Grade: 3
Length: 1km
Start point: Tawa Rd
End point: Hill Rd
45 small to medium size jumps to improve your hucking skills
More info
Old Chevy
Grade: 3
Length: 3km
Start point: Cnr Ring Rd and Reservoir Rd
End point: Cnr Reservoir Rd and Hill Rd
An old-school XC trail with multiple ups and downs
More info
Pondy Downhill & Pondy New
Grade: 3
Length: 3km
Start point: On left approx. 2km up Pondy Rd from Tikitapu
End point: Ring Rd
Pondy downhill is a nice old style trail. Pondy New is gentle gradient and nice and swoopy.
More info
Rollercoaster
Grade: 3
Length: 4km
Start point: Chestnut Rd
End point: Ring Road
Flowing downhill singletrack
More info
Sidewinder
Grade: 3
Length: 1km
Start point: Direct Rd Saddle
End point: Windy Rd
Moderate downhill, with some nice humps to jump. At the end left right onto Windy Rd
More info
Spring Roll
Grade: 3
Length: 1km
Start point: Hill Rd
End point: Nice Rd
Flat, hand made singletrack
More info
Split Enz
Grade: 3
Length: 3km
Start point: Loop Rd
End point: Pondy DH
More info
Soakhole
Grade: 3
Length: 0.7km
Start point: Katore Rd
End point: Katore Rd
Interval style intense hill climbs, and short descents, this trail is always dry.
More info
The Tickler
Grade: 3
Length: 1km
Start point: Skid site at end of Spruce Rd
End point: Red Tank Rd water fountain
Good link from the bottom of the A-trail across the creek through a beautiful gully with big Pungas right up to the water fountain.
grade four trails
A Trail
Grade: 4
Length: 3km
Start point: Katore Rd
End point: Spruce Rd
Tight and twisty, mostly descending with a couple of short climbs. At the end turn left to find the Tickler
More info
Billy T
Grade: 4
Length: 5km
Start point: Top of Tawa Rd
End point: Moerangi Rd
Flowing downhill singletrack
More info
Exit to Long Mile Road
Grade 4
Length: 1km
Start point: Nursery Rd
End point: Nursery Rd
Nice rolling jumps and berms make this an excellent finish for those heading out Long Mile Rd
More info
GrinDer
Grade: 3-6
Length: 1.6km
Start point: intersection of Nursery Rd and Katore Rd
End point: Nursery Rd
The Grinder area has many jumps and man-made obstacles.
More info
Gunna Gotta
Grade: 4
Length: 1km
Start point: Top of Katore Rd
End point: Katore Rd
This trail keeps getting better and better, steep, challenging downhill in Native bush
More info
Hot X Bun
Grade: 4
Length: 3km
Start point: Top of Direct Rd
End point: Red Tank Rd water fountain
Great views of the city and Lake Rotorua . Currently one of the best trails in the forest
More info
Little Red Riding Huck
Grade: 4
Length: 1.5km
Start point: Hill Rd
End point: cnr Pipeline Rd and Hill Rd
Another 40 medium size jumps stepping your huckability to the next level
More info
No Brains
Grade: 4
Length: 2km
Start point: Top of Lookout Rd (great views)
End point: 8-mile gate Rd
Flowing singletrack leading into technical steep downhill, best accessed via Fern Drive
More info
Old Exit
Grade: 4
Start point: Nursery Rd
End point: Nursery Rd
Rock Drop
Grade: 4
Length: 2.8km
Start point: Pohaturoa Rd
End point: Pohaturoa Rd
A well switch backed climb followed by some good technical descents with the odd drop-off to keep you on your toes.
More info
Rosebank
Grade: 4
Length: 1km
Start point: Pohaturoa Rd
End point: Pohaturoa Rd
Short but sweet finish to your ride under big Redwoods - the only ones in the Core Trail Network.
More info
Tuhoto Ariki
Grade: 4
Length: 5km
Start point: Top of Tawa Rd
End point: Moerangi Rd, near Bush Rd
Native bush trail with roots, great downhills and some decent climbs too. Starts from the highest point in Whaka Forest
More info
grade five trails
Double Down
Grade: 5
Length: 0.3km
Start point: Katore Rd
End point: Nursery Rd
Contains jumps and structures of varying sizes, ride with care!
More info
K2 Track
Grade: 5
Length: 1km
Start point: Near intersection of Katore and Tokorangi Pa Rd
End point: Spruce Rd
The steepest trail in the forest, slippery & tough to ride
North Face, Eastern Spice and the Corridor
Grade: 4-6
Length: 3km
Start point: Top of Katore Rd / Tokorangi Pa Rd
End point: Katore Rd near ponds
Steep technical DH with optional elevated obstacles for experienced riders. Beautiful views of the city, especially at night.
Taniwha Track (National Downhill)
Grade: 5
Length: 3km
Start point: Top of Tawa Rd
End point: Pipeline Rd
All downhill with optional big jumps and drops, fast and technical international level downhill racing track.
More info
For quality bike hire and guided mountain bike rides for all ages see Planet Bike for further details.
For more information about mountain biking in Rotorua, visit the official website of The Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest or visit RideRotorua.com |
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To download our Mountain Biking Map/Guide, click here.
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