Best Mountain Bike Trails in Craters Mountain Bike Park / Wairakei Forest
Craters Mountain Bike Park in the Wairakei Forest is a world-class destination featuring 55km of expertly designed trails through exotic pine and eucalyptus plantations with stunning views of Lake Taupo. The volcanic pumice soil provides exceptional year-round riding conditions with free-draining, grippy terrain ideal for all skill levels from beginners to experts. Membership with Bike Taupo is required, with visitor and annual options available.
Trails
Showing 1 - 10 of 60 trails
Intermediate
4.0 km
18m
-166m
5h 1m
A trail that winds through the trees as an alternative to the middle part of Mrs and also has a link onto Outback near the end
Advanced
2.3m
41m
-65m
12h 16m
Runs off Scraggs in a twisty uphill followed by a great downhill to exit at Managers Corner. Park map no 23.
Extremely difficult
591m
-37m
Buddha is a big air jump line for expert riders looking to push limits. The trail is packed with spines, steep lips, big step downs, gaps and lily pad features. Most are gaps, and the trail is constantly being worked on so look before you leap - this trail is no joke.
Easy
947m
33m
-32m
3h 13m
Short up and down ride starting on the new entrance to the park where Q Line Road used to go out to Wairakei Drive. Park map reference 29.
Intermediate
975m
30m
-31m
5h 2m
Start and finish on Bumble Bee. There is an option to loop back into SH Fun, Meet up with the end of Waipouwerawera then carry on to some trickier country along the edge of the park. Swoopy downhill back to Bumble Bee that takes you back to the start of Zip. Park map reference 30.
Advanced
992m
3m
-82m
4h 24m
Fast sandy downhill with some opportunities to get air. Park map no 43. Was closed following post Gabrielle logging. Now has been reconfigured to land you into Tank Stand Down
Intermediate
2.5 km
14m
-43m
Heads north parallel to Karetoto Road then dives down the old Tunnel Track then turns back to wind through a gully and then climb back up to Karetoto Road.
Easy
409m
12m
-12m
1h 46m
Link from the junction of Outback II/Outback III onto Slalom to avoid riding all of Outback Park map no 52.
Easy
1.3m
28m
-79m
4h 10m
Fun, flowy, jumpy, bermy goodness. Improving every year as the trees grow. Park map no 37.
Very difficult
1.1m
12m
-126m
5h 13m
Access from the top of Snakes N Ladders. Cole's Killer is a fast, tight trail with a variety of jumps and drops and off-camber high lines, though all have B-lines or can be rolled. The track descends through established pines before traversing a fast, flowy open section and pops out at the Connection. Park map no 45.