Bike
MTB
Discover these 5 epic bike trails in Rotorua
There’s a bike-riding paradise in the forests of New Zealand’s North Island, so we asked local photographer and MTB enthusiast Graeme Murray to show us some of the region’s top trails.
Despite the rise of numerous trail centres and the abundance of great natural riding all over New Zealand, Rotorua can still stake a claim to being the country’s foremost mountain biking region. No matter where you come from and how good your trails are, you're always guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face and raving about the quality, variety and volume of trails in the Whakarewarewa Forest.
Add the increasing number of trails at Skyline and the fantastic Rainbow Mountain down the road, and it’s clear that Rotorua is the place to be. Just ask the locals and you’ll be met with glowing praise and enthusiastic pride. Photographer Graeme Murray spends more time in the forest than most, so we asked him to tell us about the most epic trails.
1. Kataore
Kataore ridden by Cole Lucas
© Graeme Murray
Most of the trails Graeme included in his list are located in the Moerangi section of the forest, where the elevation is highest and the terrain is at its burliest. It featured in the first Crankworx Rotorua Enduro World Series (EWS) race in 2015, but didn’t appear this year – which Graeme puts down to its sheer gnarliness.
There are three tracks in the native at the very top, and out of those I think Kataore is the gnarliest
Some of the world’s best riders thought that it was one of the hardest trails in the EWS in 2015 anywhere in the world at the time. It’s steep, gnarly, and when it’s wet it’s a whole lot more fun!
Following the fall line towards the Blue Lakes, you’ll be relieved to have survived Kataore’s roots and drops with bike and body intact.
2. Kung Fu Walrus
Kung Fu Walrus ridden by Wyn Masters
© Graeme Murray
If you like your trails off-camber, then you’ll love Kung Fu Walrus. One of the more naturally evolving trails in the Moerangi section, and it’s one of Graeme’s favourites.
It’s great, it’s out the back of the forest, with not too many roots but just fast dirt. It’s not just tight and on your brakes, it’s full-on speed, with a few steep bits thrown in
In summer these tracks are just epic, in winter they’re a bit more slippy because the dirt is volcanic ash from Mount Tarawera erupting in 1886. It’s like a clay, grey ash so when it’s wet it’s real sketchy.
3. Rocky Horror/Frankenfurter/Riff Raff
Graeme included this trio of trails as most riders will inevitably ride them as one track over about 5km. Starting at the high point of Mount Moerangi, Frankenfurter warms you up with some nice speed and flow before getting a bit rooty under the trees, and then setting you up for the steeper and even rootier fare of Riff Raff.
Rocky Horror ridden by Eugene Kara
© Graeme Murray
It’s tight and it’s technical and there are roots, tight singletracks and drops. It ends up in native forest with all these rocks, hence the Rocky Horror name at the end.
Rocky Horror is closed at the moment after taking a hammering from the EWS, but you can still ride Frankenfurter and Riff Raff – check the trail status before heading out.
4. Te Tihi o Tawa
Riding Te Tihi o Tawa trail
© Graeme Murray
Another trail used in the mudfest of the EWS, Te Tihi o Tawa doesn’t have quite the same levels of tech as Kataore, but it’s high on the stoke factor in its own way.
It’s not just a rootfest but it’s fast, has amazing flow, and it’s just so beautiful. It’s set in native forest and has this amazing grip on the roots.
Te Tihi o Tawa is that mythical beast of a rooty trail with great flow. At the bottom it links onto another Rotorua classic in the form of Billy T, which is completely different again. It's smoother, flowier and faster.
Hatupatu ridden by Raewyn Morrison
© Graeme Murray
5. Hatupatu
Hapatu tests the very best of riders even in dry conditions and commands plenty of respect from the most skillful. Unfortunately it’s currently closed for essential maintenance work.
