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Redwoods mountain bike park, Rotorua, New Zealand, A mountain bikers Disneyland

Rotorua is a city on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. One of Rotorua's many attractions is the mountain biking. Whakarewarewa (also known as the "Redwoods") Forest has been described as the Disneyland of mountain biking, and has some of the best mountain bike trails in New Zealand. Whakarewarewa Forest on the southern outskirts of Rotorua contains one of the oldest trail systems in the country. These master crafted trails have an unbeatable blend of proximity to the city centre, riding surfaces, topography and they are surrounded by trees that have size & variety. Weather averages for Rotorua Average high °C (°F) (73) 23 (Average low °C (°F)

(47) 12.7 Precipitation mm (inches) (3.9) 101

Riding on the trails is free to all as the costs of building and maintaining MTB trails is met and informally shared by: • the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club (Inc) through volunteer efforts. • the channelling of charitable trust funding into trail development (to pay contract part-time trail-builders since 2005). • enthusiastic freelancers who give up their own time to build and maintain trails like Old Chevy, Hot X Buns, Rockdrop, Pig Track, Gunna Gotta, The Tickler, Be Rude Not To and Mad if you don't. The Redwoods is a trail system that has been growing since the late 80s, and it has been designed to pack as much fun into a small area as possible. You can take a 2.5 hour ride without any repeated sections, while never getting further than about 2 kms in a straight line from the trailhead. Even when the carpark is full, the mainly one way system keeps the forest from feeling crowded. The trails are ideal for introducing friends and family to the sport, as they are generally pretty mellow. But they have enough challenges if the speed is cranked up that expert class riders come back again and again. The trail system is continually being extended and enhanced. Further afield there are heaps more trails than a fit rider can do in a weekend and various groups are always building new ones

The forest land is owned by Te Arawa; the tree crop itself is owned by a US investment company. The commercial forest management operations are conducted by a local private company as a production forest and they generously allow recreational use in the forest, with recreation managed by Rotorua District Council. There is a legal right of access by the public for recreational activities but forestry management go far beyond their obligations to make the forest such a great playground for bike riders. This unique experimental stand of trees - pine, Californian redwoods, Australian eucalyptus and douglas fir amongst native New Zealand silver ferns - was created over the last 100 years by the New Zealand Forest Service. Combined with wonderful rolling free draining terrain, it gives the Whakarewarewa trail network its distinctive flavour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaKyELVgEx0

There is a Visitor Centre on Long Mile Rd where you can get up to date information and a trail map. Trail maps of the Whakarewarewa Forest cost $5 and are available from all of the 6 bike shops in Rotorua and from the Redwoods Visitor Information Centre on Long Mile road. If you’re from out of town you can call or email the info centre and they will do a manual credit card transaction and post you a map anywhere in the world. The maps feature over 70km of singletrack from grade 1-6, including three separate loop rides that are a sort of “greatest hits” collection. These loops are a good introduction to riding in Rotorua and allow you to understand the lay of the land. The maps are printed on waterproof paper and are full colour A2. You’d be lost without one! contact The Redwoods Forest & Visitor Centre Long Mile Road.Call in and tell the staff how cool the trails are. The Redwood grove around this area is full of walking tracks, and horse tracks, and is off limits to bike riders. If you want to start your ride here, go to the far end of Longmile Rd from Tarawera Rd and go around the gate to head up the tarsealed climb of Nursery Road. The trail system has an entrance at the top of the hill.

Genisis Grade 3. Length 3.1 Km’s Built in 1993 by Fred Christianson. Entry at top of Nursery Hill (end of tarseal) A great trail with no big climbs but lots of flowy up and down sections. Good all weather trail and very popular with event organisers. Various exits with the majority of them popping out onto Radio Hut Rd.

Tahi Grade 2. Length 2.5 Km’s Built in 1995 by Fred Christianson. Starts across the bridge from Waipa carpark. A flat flowing track that heads you into the forest. The most popular way to head out to the rest of the trails in the East. Handles the wet weather well, will puddle in hard out rain. Regardless the best way into the forest from Waipa.

Creek Grade 2. Length 4.7 Km’s Built in 1995 by Fred Christianson. Starts at the skid site, approx 1km from the start of Tahi. Still a great trail if you don’t want any hills to climb. Some parts are fun, the last section is great for the kids. Its reasonably flat, fast & flowing. There is a tricky drop through the creek depending on your skills but great for all levels. Will bog in spots in wet weather but not enough to stop you riding it.

Dipper Grade 2. Length 2.8kms but feels longer in a good way. Built in 1994 by Fred Christensen. Starts off Pohaturoa Road near the intersection of Nursery. Fine for beginners and a very quick work-out for more experienced riders. This is the track that we remember as one of the originals. The mature Douglas Firs create a magnificent back drop to a flat & fast track. The berms early in the track are WICKED - fang it through here to see if you can lose those following. The actual dipper at the end of the first long section is awesome and is a favourite spot for St Johns pick up. Pop out here (at entrance) onto Pohuturoa Road. Or keep going and there are more berms which then finishes on Bakers Hollow Rd. Will puddle in spots after heavy rain but always rideable.

Challenge Grade 3. Length: 3 KM. Built in 1993 by Fred Christensen. Starts from Radio Hut Rd. The Challenge is a track that the locals tend to drop through rather than ride the complete circuit. Event organisers use the up hills to weed the men from the boys. The downhill sections are magic and is rideable in all weather. Exits onto Pohaturoa Rd opposite the entry to Dipper.

Rock Drop Grade 4. Length 2.8 KM. Built in 2000 by Dean Watson, Rick Todd, Matt Goodman. Starts on Pohaturoa Rd. An old style track. The middle portion goes up & down, round & round needlessly, so no surprise that the track is not be ridden much. Probably a contender for a rebuild. HOWEVER once you are through into the downhill portion - Yeeehaaa! Its a real nut cruncher, especially if you have a hard tail & don’t drop the seat. Some real nice technical down hill for those with the skills. The ACC rep hangs out here so beware. Given there are some technical bits on this trail the rain makes them a bit trickier. Does not tend to bog in the wet though. Recently adopted by the Rotorua Singlespeed Society.

Rose Bank Grade 4. Length 1 km Built in 1997 by Fred Christensen. Starts approx 700 metres up from the bridge from Waipa carpark on Pohaturoa Rd and ends just up from same bridge. This is not steep track but the narrow shoots combined with tree roots make it technical especially in the wet. There are also a couple of short pinch climbs with steps that are good for tuning your skills. Fun but can be lethal.

Double Down Grade 6. Length 0.3 Km’s Man made jumps & structures. Starts on Kotare Rd and finihes on Nursery Rd. Fun if you have the skills.

Grinder Grade 4. Length 1.6 Km’s Built in 1997 by Fred Christensen and Evan Freshwater. Tuned up over last few years by Nigel Robinson. Starts from Katore Rd up from the intersection of Nursery Rd. Not sure why this is a grade 4. Just one tricky bit that requires concentration otherwise fast & flowing. A great way to head out back if you come in from Nursery Rd and a good way to get your eye in if you do. Rain will make this track a little more technical but other than than that it remains reliable all year round.

Soak Hole Grade 3. Length 0.7 Km’s Built in 1999 by Dean Watson. Starts from Katore Rd up from the intersection of Nursery Rd opposite the start of the Grinder. A great track to up the fitness. It heads down, it heads up, then down again, then up, then down… you get the picture. Still there is no such thing as a bad track. An alternative way to get you to the A Trail trail head. This is one of the very best all weather tracks in the forest. If the riding surfaces are crap every where else & you want to ride a track that isn’t - this is it.

Pig Tracks Two trails. both are two way trails. There are 3 entry / exit points. One on Kotare Rd, one on Nursery Rd and one on Wash Rd. There is not much technical or demanding about either trail, linking Katore Rd with the bottom of Wash Rd [Pig] or Nursery Rd [Piglet], but they are an essential ride if you are taking out a novice or a youngster on a tag-along. It’s only the top section immediately below Katore that is moderately steep with a bit of a rut, but that can be avoided. Trail adoptee Ron Gee has certainly made a silk purse out of a sow’s ear with these trails which like many evolved from riders moving into a compartment after re-planting. Ron’s passion is there for all to see, with the edges mowed to keep back the spring growth and wooden gutters to channel the water off the trail to prevent rutting out. The kids will enjoy the rabbits that line the trail.

K2 (grade 6) Grade 5. Length 1.0 Km. Built in 2003 by Dave Hamilton. Starts from Tokorangi Pa Rd above the intersection with Katore. Ends at Spruce Rd, near the start of the Tickler. (Read the sign, this is extreme riding). It’s steep and slippery in the wet.

Gunna Gotta (Grade 4) 2.3 km . Built in 2004 by Dave Hutchings. Entry from the top of Kotare Rd. Starts with a gentle climb up to the highest point on the ridge and then slings you back down, around, and then tosses you out onto a skid track before heading down again. At this point a sign says “Left to do that again”, and is only a gentle ride around the corner and brings you right back to the seat with very little effort…..otherwise, carry on down GG all downhill, not much pedaling, some good technical bits and then you’ll come to the signs that point you to either the A Trail or ahead to the last section of North Face and they both place you at the entrance to the A Trail on Kotare Rd again.

Corridor Grade 4 - 6 Length 2kms. Built in 2005 by Dave Hamilton. Starts from the top of Katore. Ends at the bottom of Katore near the A Trail start. Steep technical downhill with optional elevated obstacles for experienced riders. Normally handles wet weather well if there aren’t too many riding it on their brakes. Top section of Corridor is now easily rideable. This trail brings you to a junction where Corridor veers left and North Face goes straight ahead. A reminder that North Face is for experienced riders (grade 5) so be careful if you are checking out the nut size! There is a 3rd line on Corridor that starts a little after the North Face turn off and heads to the right. This line is called Eastern Spice, it is of a similar grade to the Corridor, but has some nice jumps and ends back onto the Corridor. A great ride for the adventurous.

A Trail Grade 4. Length 1.8 Km’s Built in 2004 by Murray Avery & Family. Starts from the bottom of Katore Rd. A very popular trail with some great bench work which rolls around and up and over several hills. A fork part way in the trail says “Easy”, and veers sharply to the right. Take this route as it is probably the best part of the trail. This trail seems to go on forever and just flows. Some time later you hit a fork in the trail, (2 sign posts), straight ahead to the Tickler or turn right to the wash and this brings you down to Spruce Rd and the area called the wash.

The Tickler Grade 3. Length 1.5 Km’s Built in 2004 by Pat Tickelpenny, Mark Smith and Murray Avery. Starts from the skid site at the top of Spruce. Ends at the water tap on Red Tank. The trail drops down and does a split, straight ahead is a drop off or turn left for the chicken line, then cross the stream up to Wash Rd. Cross over and head up the hill, nice bit of leg work to get you up to the next challenge. This part of the tickler does literally spit you out onto the big junction of Red Tank Rd, Direct Rd and Pipeline Rd, or commonly known as the “drinking tap”. All weather riding on this trail.

Hot X Buns Grade 4. Length 2.7 KMs - Built in 2004 (Easter) by Dean Watson, Graeme Murray, Carolyn Scherger, Graeme Simpson, Rick Todd and Annika and Rob Smail. Sarts at the top of Direct Rd. It may take a bit of sweat and grunt to the top of Direct Rd, but the views over the city, lakes and surrounding countryside (from a great seat the boys have put in) makes you forget about the pain. Then of course is the knowledge of a long downhill trail that will test the nerves and the brakes. A really long trail with lots of technical sections. This is a trail with a bit of everything in it. Some great track work cut into the sides of a steep hill. This will pop you back out over that jump you saw at the drinking tap.

Be Rude Not 2 Grade 3. Length 2.7 KM’s Built by Mark Smith. Starts on Red Tank - 50 metres from the intersection of Pipeline, Direct & Red Tank (where the water tap is). This is one of most popular trails (heads downhill and towards the car park) and is holding up well considering the heavy traffic over it. Cut out of a seemingly long hillside, this trail weaves through giant Redwood trees and you can hammer on down through a well bermed trail and thump your way into a couple of added-on sections. The extended bottom section has a couple of nice jumps in it and also a junction that if you veer left brings you to the start of “Mad If You Don’t. Straight ahead takes you to Wash Rd.

Lion Trail (grade 2) This wide trail winds its way up a steep hill but in a clever way that after a short steep climb you get some relief, and then up and then down and all of a sudden you’re at the top which then takes you back to the ponds on Katore road where you can either start that loop again or head down to the “Network Trails”. Take your pick from the Double Down, Grinder, Challenge or Rockdrop to head back down to the Waipa car park, or checkout the Soakhole, Genisis, Rat Track, Club and the two Exit trails, to roll out back at the Longmile Drive car park.

Huckleberry Hound (Grade 3) Length 1 KM Built in 2007 by James Dodds, Rob Metz and Mark Upshall. Starts from Tawa Rd and ends on Hill Rd. 45 small to medium sized jumps to improve your hucking skills. Will need work to refine and get rid of mid-jump bogs when wet.

Little Red Riding Huck (Grade 4) Length 1.5 KM Built in 2007 by James Dodds for RMTBC. Starts from Hill Rd. Ends at the corner of Pipeline & Hill Another 40 medium size jumps stepping your huckability to the next level. OK and with a brilliant berm after berm after berm section about 2/3s of the way down. Needs a bit of skill. Decent big bike riders will nail it and so will any rider with skill on any bike from fully rigid hardtail to good trail bike.

Split Enz off Loop Road, opened in mid-2007 and Murray Avery, who built most of it, has hit another home run. It’s a cracker. But you have to earn it, either up Hill and Moerangi or the south side of Moerangi or from Tuhoto Ariki. The last one is the toughest option because to get to Tuhoto you have to climb to the top of Tawa Road. Whichever way you get there, it will be worth it. Connecting the high altitude trails, Billy T and Tuhoto Ariki, to the top of Pondy Downhill, Split Enz creates an epic loop that will be the key to great long days out as well as a stunning option for an hour and a half of spectacular riding. The entrance to the trail is off Loop Rd, which cuts off Moerangi Rd at the top of the town side of the climb. So, out of Billy or Tuhoto and turn left, then climb for 5 minutes and turn right. It is a magic carpet ride all the way down, with so many neat little sections that after one run down it can’t be properly recalled except in a general, whoop and holler way. Halfway down the trail sketches along the top of a steep clearfelled area that provides the best view in the forest, or at least as good as the top of Hot X anyway. Trail adoptee, Ian Young keeps this trail in mint condition. The trail exits onto the skid site at the end of Pondy Road. A short ride down the road and then drop into more Split Enz goodness that spits you out about halfway down the second part of old Pondy Downhill for a quick run to Pondy New and on to Rollercoaster.

Pondy New Grade 3. Length 1.3 KM. Built in 2006 by Murray Avery, Mark Smith & RMTBC. Starts from the top of Sandy Skid. This combines some of the most sensible trail planning & design with masterful implementation. It creates a wonderful loop connecting Pondy Downhill & Roller Coaster. I defy you to come up with better piece of XC riding in NZ. I salivate while writing about it. Well built to handle all weather with the odd puddle. Nothing that should stop you riding this winner all year round.

No Brains Trail (Grade 4) Length 2 KM Old school trail re-opened in 2003 by Nick Lambert. Starts from the top of Lookout Rd on Kakapiko. Ends either right to 8 Mile Gate Rd or Left onto Dump Rd. To get there: Go up Lookout Rd then take the right hand fork down to the skid site, keep heading right and you will find the entrance in the bush. For those who want more downhill and stunning views for a little extra uphill, continue up lookout road to the summit. From the summit turn down short downhill track, take first left and continue into the fun downhill (dip-de-doos). Hit the skid site and then more great downhill riding that splits part way down. Right takes you out to the tarseal and a short ride up the tarseal and then left into Tikitapu and back to the Pondy trails and ……….. Or left runs a fast downhill grass track and keep turning right brings you again to the tarseal via Poplar Ave. Turn left then right into Sandy Skid Rd, up there, Pondy New, etc.

National Downhill (Taniwha) Grade 5. Length 3 Km Built in 1994 by Kev Walton, Graeme Murray, Rick Todd & Alden Ardern (Alden’s last big trail building job was the highly acclaimed 2006 Worlds Downhill course on Mount Ngongotaha). Starts from the top of Tawa. Ends on Pipeline. Steep technical DH with optional big jumps and drops, fast and technical international level downhill race track. Current minders: Nigel Robinson and crew putting in lots of free time. Now that the van is taking a heap of riders to the top it does cut up in the wet.

Bunny Jugs- On Red Tank Road between the entrance to Be Rude Not 2 and the exit of Sweet and Sour you’ll see a new trail entrance, the trail follows parallel with Pipeline road, popping out at the bottom of the hill, ride down Pipeline Road for about 100m and on the left the track re-enters the trees climbing a little before descending to Pipeline road at the bottom of the Taniwha National DH track. The track is called Bunny Jugs because it was started at Easter and we found some 70’s style pottery jugs while digging it. The first section was dug by hand by volunteers Stefan Bennett, Rob Metz, Mike Metz and myself (Jeff Carter), the second section was dug with a digger by contractors James Dodds and Rob Metz funded with money from a Southern Trust grant to the RMTBC (thanks to Greg Vandergoot - RMTBC Funding Manager) . Dragons Tail Built by Dodzy and the RMTBC, opened late October 2008. (Grade 3) This runs from Red Tank Road with the entrance on the left hand side not far down from Bunny Jugs (and Be Rude Not 2) and exits back onto Red Tank just up from the Tank. It’s fast and flowing with some challenging little pinch climbs into tight switchbacks and a great sequence of berms in a clearing about halfway through. Take care at the exits(s) - all four options are neat, steep, drop ins that take you (very quickly) onto Red Tank. Cruise down Red Tank road and straight into Mad if U don’t.

Old Chevy Grade 3. Length 4.6 KMs. Planned and started in 2007 by Rick Todd helped by a big crew of volunteers - a lot of them were also involved in the planning and early days of Hot X Buns. Rick’s been involved in trail building for a long time and was course designer and builder of the XC course for the 2006 World Champs. Old Chevy starts from the corner of Ring Rd & Reservoir Rd and meanders up & down, up & down & around with great scenery. After a sharp climb in the trail rolls down the ridge line with Hill Road way below. This first section of OC really sums the trail up - a mix of climbs and fast flowing downhills. The last section is a ripper and by the end of it you’ve forgotten the steeper climbs! There are two stream crossings. Great work by Claude Manihera (who maintained trails for seven years before heading north to Whangarei in 2007) and Red Mchale and the PD boys on the whole trail - but especially on the entrances and exits to the crossings and the bridges, too. Part of this stand of forest has natural springs and so is protected from harvesting. Old Chevy is definitely one of the best of Whaka. Exits onto Hill across from Reservoir Road (and Yellow Brick Road).

Loop Suggestions For those of you new to the Whaka Forest, sampling the best Trail Network in the country, listed is a sample of loops you can do; 1.) Gunna Gotta, A Trail, Tickler, Be Rude Not 2 (14 km) with extensions to include North Face or Hot X bun as required, finish up the Lion trail, Grinder, Dipper. 2.) A trail, Tickler, Direct Rd, Frontal Lobotomy, Billy T, Moerangi to Chestnut, Chestnut link, Rollercoaster, Chopseuy, Spring Roll, Sweet and Sour, Be Rude Not 2, Lion trail, Exit…. or Grinder….etc 3.) Grinder, Piglet, Pig Trail, Mad if You Don’t, (Hill rd to Loop rd), Split Enz, Pondy, Rollercoaster, Chopseuy, Spring Roll, Sweet and Sour, Be Rude Not 2, Lion trail, Exit…. or Grinder….etc(Big Ride) 4.) Tahi, Creek Track, Mad if U Don’t, Old Chevy, Yellow Brick Road, Pondy new, Rollercoaster, Chop Suey, Spring Roll, Sweet & Sour, B Rude Not 2, etc.. 5.) Hill Rd, Moerangi Rd,Split Enz, Pondy Downhill, Pondy New, Rollercoaster (second half), Chop Suey, Spring Roll, Sweet and Sour, Be Rude Not 2, Lion trail, Grinder…..etc 6.) Fern Drive, Lookout Rd, No Brains, Spring Rd, Pondy Downhill, Pondy New, Rollercoaster, Chop Suey, Hill Rd to carpark.There are heaps of other options and there are some marked “Loops” on the “MAP”.. http://www.riderotorua.co.nz/maps.php

World's Best Trails? It's a bold claim. But the thousands of locals and visitors who ride the Whakarewarewa trail network every year will all tell you they are a fantastic place to mountain bike. In a country with some great mountain biking, these trails on the southern outskirts of the city are some of the finest. And research confirms the significant role they play in the lifestyle and economy of Rotorua. The trails have evolved over the years with a lot of people involved in building, maintaining and developing.

A few years ago Mike Ferrentino of US magazine, BIKE, described the Rotorua trail network like this: “Rotorua…Tourism central…This haven of geysers and mud pools is, and always has been, New Zealand’s meeting point between tourism and Maoritanga…Not that we really had time to notice or care, sucked immediately as we were into the local forest, onto trails built by mountain bikers with mountain bikers in mind. Trails in verdant shade that dip and weave and roll. Trails that sneak through trees in a way that makes hard riders hoot with joy yet at the same time could coax a huge grin to the face of a 70-year-old grandma on her first bike ride ever. Sure, gawk at the geysers, wrinkle your nose at the stinking mud holes, soak in the springs, but get down on your knees and kiss the mulchy earth of these trails because they are the true hidden treasure here.