Top Mountain Biking Spots
ROTORUA | Whakarewarewa Forest -Redwoods Rotorua
Just a short 10 minute drive from Rotorua International Airport, and a shorter 5 minute drive from Rotorua city will take you to what Australian Mountain Bike
Magazine label the best tracks in the world. With a phenominal trail system geared up for any skill level it’s no wonder people from all over the globe are
making their way over to this fantastic place to ride “sweet” flowing single trail through Pine and Native Forest. From extreme downhill to mild trail riding, this bike park has it all.
Tongoriro | Fishers Track
This relatively unknown downhill is a real blast and with the best part of 17km downhill dropping from 900 metres to 400 metres the adrenalin rush is in your hands. The surface is mixed but does have a fair proportion of grass, which makes for some interesting cornering.
TECT ALL TERRAIN PARK | Mid way between Rotorua and Tauranga
Very much a “watch this space” Mt bike heaven! New Zealand’s newest mountain bike park, the TECT All Terrain Park, is now open. Stage 1 of the park including the designated MTB Activity Zone was officially opened to the public on Saturday 11 December 2010. A number of trails are now open to ride including ‘Buffalo Girl’, ‘Lookout’, ‘Uno’ (Family Trail), ‘Mickey Mouse’ (Kids loop) and a pump track. Further trails have been marked out and work will continue to develop and extend the trail network within the park. Ultimately the dream is to provide world-class facilities including a 4X track, downhill track, pump track and everything from Grade 1 to Grade 6 trails to cover every aspect of mountain biking.
TAURANGA/ MT MAUNGANUI | Summerhill
The story of Summerhill Recreational Park and it’s beginnings is definitely an interesting one about bi-planes, eccentric englishman and Maori Pa and war sites. Unfortunately this is a “brief” description and not a novel. For the full story you really must visit the park and it’s manager, Karl Young, who’s straight faced humour, passion for the wilderness and phenominal knowledge about all things mountain biking only add to the uniqueness of this privately owned park. Basically the riding here is on the hill tops above the East Coast surf beaches and overlook Waihi, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa, Maketu and all the way around the East Cape. With cross country trails and a dedicated dirt jump park, Karl has designed tracks that can taylor to almost any mountain biker ensuring a great days riding.
TURANGI | Tree Trunk Gorge
This is most definitely a hidden gem. Off the main road and really not that well known even to locals, tee Trunk Gorge is a well marked and stunning riding trail that follows the Tongariro River. Its recommended you get a shuttle driver to meet you at the end. This is a DOC track which again run’s through our unique New Zealand sub-tropical rainforest.
ROTORUA South East | Whirinaki
This track is really the pre-cursor for Moerangi. A simple 16km loop that isn’t too technical and only an hour and a half drive from either Rotorua or Taupo. If you want an insight in to how New Zealand/Aotearoa wilderness would have been pre-man then this place is for you. This old forest hides many gems of our native flora and fauna which combined with the immense Maori cultural history of the Tuhoe people, make for a unique and educational ride.
TAUPO | Craters of the Moon
Craters of the moon has one of the most beautiful starting points for a ride that you could ever imagine. With the backdrop of Huka Falls and it’s bright blue and clean waters, this riding park maintained by the local club is sure to entertain for the day. You can’t forget to check out the geothermal activity through this park too.
TONGARIRO |42 Traverse One day
One of the classic rides of New Zealand. Ride 35km of track (or 42-ish if you park at the bottom of the gravel road at the end) along the 42nd parallel through Tonagariro Reserve Forest. As they say, what goes up, must come down, so with the big climbs on this ride you are justly rewarded with awesome downhills that seem to last for ages.
Rotorua South East| Moerangi
Travel into the heart of Te Urewera National Park and to the Whirinaki Forest reserve to experience a mountain bike ride like no other. Moerangi Track will take you through 35km of native, 1000 year old podacard sub-tropical rain forest. While it isn’t too technical, it does require an intermediate level of fitness. But if you do make the effort you’ll not only be rewarded with picturesque views, but the last 9km is almost entirely downhill.
TAUPO | Whakaipo Bay – Kinloch ( W2K)
As a fairly recent built, the dual purpose walk/cycle trail is a real surprise. Expectations of beautiful views on low grade, easy trails but quuite unexpectant are the stunning idyllic views stretching over Lake Taupo and much how fun the track is to ride. It is one of those rides that could take almost any skill level of rider as you can easily “cruise” the track and enjoy the views and undulation once you get to the top. As a two way track you able to take in the sights and sounds on the way from Kinloch to Whakaipo bay, and then on the return rip, popping little jumps and hitting burms on banked corners. This track is a hoot.