Mountain Bike Trails in Whakarewarewa Forest

After Burner Jumps

Advanced Dirt Jumps.

Anxiety

Community Build.

Apumoana

"Apu-moana" - After the death of Tangaroamihi, Apumoana was gifted the area making him a prominent figure in Rotorua. Apumoana Marae is based on Tarawera Road just down from Long Mile Road. The trail is a smooth, wide, uphill trail that you barely realise you are going uphill. You can split off to Sidewinder to get to the Forest and Direct Road intersection or continue on the trail to the top and come out almost at the summit of Indirect Road [/L]and the start of Hot x Buns, Te Poaka and short entry to Tūteata Shared use for bikes and runners so look out for each other. Two-way for runners/walkers, uphill only for bikes.

Apumoana Extension part 1

Grade 2 uphill Mountain Bike Trail and 2 way for foot traffic. Built by Rotorua Trails Trust end of July 2023.

Apumoana Extension to Sidewinder

Go left at the fork on the new climbing track and you will end up on the extension that takes you to Sidewinder.

Apumoana Lentil Road Entrance

This entrance to the climbing trail Apumoana is at the exits of the trails Whaki, Tukonohi and Te Pou Koropu. It will link you up to the main climbing trail.

Arepa (Alpha) 1

Arepa (uphill section)

As You Do

This trail is shared with walkers and is uphill-only for mountainbikers. The initial section is rolling, through mainly eucalypt forest, with twists and turns and occasional roots. Then after the junction with the end of Box of Birds Trail it climbs steadily, with some pinch climbs and rooty patches to keep you on your toes, and enters a long gully where the forest changes to native species and the occasional pine. Watch for the little ornaments hidden at various points alongside the track. The trail then crosses Tokorangi Pa Road and continues climbing through Douglas Fir and eucalypts, and finishes at a link road joining Tokorangi Pa and Katore Roads.

As You Do - Hard Line

Baja

An enjoyable flowy track, that finishes near the highway at Te Ara Ahi. And is now part of the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop.

Ball and Chain

A flat link trail that lets riders get between Nursery Rd. And the 8 Mile Gate entry to the forest without riding on the road or car park at the trailhead. The trail is two-way and it splits in places to allow for better flow, stay left. Bridges have been removed and the track is nice and wide. Please use this trail and stay off the road.

Be Rude Not 2 connector

Be Rude Not To

In 2010/11 there was a major amount of harvesting in the area and the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club took the opportunity for a full rebuild. Part of the brief was to retain the shape and length of the original and in this the Club, along with Mark, have created another masterpiece. The original B Rude Not 2 defined fast and flowing and that is improved in version 2. It is a favorite of many riders in Whakarewarewa Forest and handles wet weather well so is a good choice to ride after rain.

Be Rude Not To, Link to Lion's Trail

Short piece of single track take you from nearly the end of be rude over to near the entrance of Lion.

Be Rude Not To, Te Wash Road Exit

Be Rude Not Too Connector

Billy T

Starts from the top of Tawa end on Moerangi Rd. Sweet flowing downhill singletrack. Downhill craziness that feels extreme but isn’t, if you can get up to it the Billy is the best. I can't believe riders are rating this as a 3 This trail is so sweet I could kiss it. It rides particularly well in the spring after the trail has dried a bit and before the summer sun bakes it to dust. There are so many lines you want to ride it again and again, plus it provides a great connection to Moerangi then to Loop Rd and Split Enz. It's not super technical - give it a smack. January 2020 - has been reopened after logging to be Billy T again. The open areas of this trail can succumb to frost damage, so please avoid when frosty.

Billy T - from Tihi o Tawa

Black House Down

A new grade 4 trail which starts midway between the Eagle vs Shark Picnic Table and Tukonohi on Koe Koe Rd, ends at Te Pūtake o Tawa shuttle pickup. Named after the infamous Black House on Tarawera Rd which came down the day this trail was finished. Built by Velosolutions, July 2021. As this trail is all in the open, it can succumb to frost damage, so please avoid when frosty.