Best Mountain Bike Trails in Great Lake Trails
Great Lake Trails is a 90km trail system meanders around the shores of Lake Taupō, a supervolcano crater, offering spectacular flowing mountain biking through native forest, waterfalls, volcanic cliffs, and gorges. The Grade 3 intermediate trails feature excellent free-draining volcanic pumice soil ideal for year-round riding across three main sections: Waihaha, Kawakawa, and Whakaipo. Bike Taupo developed and maintains these trails which earned IMBA Silver Level Ride Centre accreditation in 2012, one of only 11 worldwide, and are part of New Zealand's Great Rides network.
Trails
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 trails
Intermediate
26.6m
587m
-648m
192h 13m
This is a section of the Great Lake Cycle Trails.From the carpark, weave through forest on a fun, flowing track towards the lake. There are a few fantastic lookouts on the way. After 14 km you will pass a toilet and some signs. There are no large hills in this section of the trail, but quite a few small ones. When you are 30 km from the car park, the trail descends steeply via a series of bridges and boardwalks, past Kotukutuku Waterfall to a beautiful beach on the shores of Lake Taupo. This is the end of the trail. There is a shelter and toilets here.From Kotukutuku, it is either a long ride back to the road, or hopefully you have booked the boat to take you to Kawakawa Bay where the trail resumes or Kinloch where the you can get food and drink.After your ride please help Bike Taupō secure continuing financial support by spending a few minutes taking this survey:https://survey.getsmartglobal.com/survey/?question=52925
Intermediate
8.3m
426m
-422m
54h 45m
This extension of the W2K Track is a no brainer if you have the time. Remember, as with the other Great Lake Trails, this track is two way.There are two lookout tracks coming off the Headland Loop track (viewing Whangamata Bay and Whakaipo Bay). The view obtained from over the Whangamata Bluffs is outstanding.The Great Lake Trails are maintained by Bike Taupō with local support and National Cycleways funding. Please take a few minutes and take this survey to help us procure continuing funding support.https://survey.getsmartglobal.com/survey/?question=52925
Intermediate
1.3 km
21m
-54m
1h 54m
A 200m extension off to the right on the Headland loop to a clearing with a stump to sit on and a view to the west and Whakaipo.
Intermediate
8.3m
188m
-187m
45h 19m
Kawakawa Bay to Kinloch.Part of the Great Lake Cycle Trails (along with W2K and Orakau). Fantastic in either direction.From Kawakawa Bay the trail climbs up through native bush to the Te Kauwae headland providing a reward of spectacular views across the lake and Western Bays. The trail then descends to the lake edge with the final section on the lake front before finishing at the village of Kinloch.The Great Lake Trails are maintained by Bike Taupō with local support and National Cycleways funding. Please take a few minutes and take this survey to help us procure continuing funding support.https://survey.getsmartglobal.com/survey/?question=52925
Intermediate
9.4m
224m
-69m
55h 7m
From the Whangamata Road carpark, the trail follows the Orakau Stream and Harakeke (flax) wetland through regenerating native bush down to Kawakawa Bay on the edge of Lake Taupō. The trail is generally downhill and offers views across the lake to the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park. Remember, as with the other Great Lake Trails, this track is two way.This trail makes up part of the Great Lake Cycle Trails (along with the K2K and W2K trails).The Great Lake Trails are maintained by Bike Taupō with local support and National Cycleways funding. Please take a few minutes and take this survey to help us procure continuing funding support.https://survey.getsmartglobal.com/survey/?question=52925
Intermediate
10.7m
297m
-165m
50h 27m
Completed December 2019 this trail is a sweet bit of riding, in keeping with the character of the W2K and the K2K tracks. There is a steady climb from the Kinloch end with the Otaketake stream to your right. A panoramic view over Kinloch and the lake develops to the south and east, progressing to a traverse along the top of the gorge above Whangamata Rd. Nice bush with a friendly North Island Robin or two along the way. Exit onto right onto Kawakawa Rd and continue to the Orakau shelter using the off road sections. You have the option to return the way you came or continue on O2K/K2K back to Kinloch which is an excellent 35 km loop.The Great Lake Trails are maintained by Bike Taupō with local support and National Cycleways funding. Please take a few minutes and take this survey to help us procure continuing funding support:https://survey.getsmartglobal.com/survey/?source=1096&key=07f5e68ea13d43f45ea8cf384a3f4d51
Intermediate
13.5m
347m
-342m
74h 58m
The Whakaipo Bay to Kinloch cycle trail can be ridden in either direction as an out and back trail (14 kilometers each way). From Taupo with take the turnoff for Kinloch or continue to Acacia Bay and take the Mapara Road to Whakaipo Bay. A further 9km loop, known as the Headland Loop, can be added taking you all the way out to the Whangamata Bluffs and stunning lake views.The whole ride is easy to intermediate without any real hills. There are a few short steeper pitches, but they are very easily walked. One of the best bits of the W2K track is the all weather surface. The track is carved out of pumice so drains really easy - a great option during rainy periods.The Great Lake Trails are maintained by Bike Taupō with local support and National Cycleways funding. Please take a few minutes and take this survey to help us procure continuing funding support.https://survey.getsmartglobal.com/survey/?question=52925