Cycle Te Ara Ahi Thermal by Bike

ROTORUA to WAIKITE VALLEY - 2 days, 48km

© AA Traveller 2021

© AA Traveller 2021

There aren’t many places in the world where you can cycle past gurgling mud pools and spewing geysers before dismounting your bike and sinking into an all-natural thermal river. This is the Te Ara Ahi cycle trail and there’s nowhere quite like it.

BEST FOR: Non-stop geothermal wonders that will knock your socks off.

Volcanoes are the founding fathers of New Zealand so you’re never too far from geothermal energy. Dubbed Te Ara Ahi - Thermal by Bike, this 48km trail covers four fascinating volcanic areas and snakes through some of Rotorua’s most impressive hot spots.

Before you depart the ever- steaming (and we won’t lie,perpetual stench) of Rotorua, take a dip in Te Ranga thermal river. Locally known as Kerosene Creek, these naturally heated waters are nature’s most relaxing ointment. From here, head towards the geothermal fields of Whakarewarewa and into the Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Whakarewarewa Village is home to the ancestors of those who survived the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera,an event that completely obliterated the famed Pink and White Terraces;once considered a Wonder of the World. Continue to Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland and onwards to Waikite Valley Thermal Springs where the trail concludes.

This is a smooth and gently undulating journey. Some sections feature technical single-track and short but steep climbs, particularly between Waimangu and Waiotapu. It’s considered an all-season trail,but things can get muddy between June and August when conditions could also be frosty.

RIDING THE TRAIL

‘Nowhere else in the world can you get on a push bike and ride for 48km past four geothermal attractions.’

ROTORUA TO WAIMANGU VOLCANIC VALLEY, 30KM

Using Rotorua i-SITE as a start-point, ride east on Queen St to the official start of the trail at the Princes Gate Archway a few hundred metres away.The trail is well-signposted around the edge of Lake Rotorua. At the 6km mark it reaches Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve & Māori Village, an area inhabited for more than 700 years and home to many surviving families of Mt Tarawera’s devastating 1886 eruption. You can learn more on regular guided tours.From the village turn-off, Te Ara Ahi continues south past Te Puia, another notable geothermal park with dramatic bubbling pools and the famous Pohutu Geyser. Te Puia is also a great place to engage with living Māori culture through rousing concert performances and the beautiful work produced by the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute on site.The trail then leaves Rotorua town via Hemo Gorge. On your left it’s impossible to miss the entrance to the Redwoods Mountain Bike Park down Waipa State Mill Rd; even if you’re not riding, it’s well worth swinging into the ‘Hub’ for a coffee and chat with local riders.Te Ara Ahi turns into a concrete pathway and continues alongside busy SH 5. It’s a smooth and easy ride to Waimangu Rd turn off, which the trail then takes to reach Waimangu Volcanic Valley – one of the world’s youngest thermal areas. Enjoy refreshments in the café here, or pay the admittance fee to take a walk amidst the park’s unique features.

WAIMANGU VOLCANIC VALLEY TO WAIKITE VALLEY THERMAL POOLS, 18KM

From Waimangu Volcanic Valley, the trail continues onward along Waimangu Rd, past Lake Okaro picnic area (where there are campsites available) and on to SH 38.After crossing the highway, the trail follows an off-road cycle path around Rainbow Mountain, passing a roadside picnic area, before dropping down to cross Old Waiotapu Rd.At this point you can turn left to go to Te Ranga (a thermally heated stream locally known as Kerosene Creek) or carry on straight ahead on an off-road trail all the way to Waiotapu. Parts of the trail are steep and some walking may be required.Waiotapu has a hotel with accommodation, petrol station, and a honey factory with a café and shop. Only 2km away is Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, another of the area’s famous volcanic areas featuring brilliantly coloured waters, steam and bubbling mud galore.From Waiotapu, the trail heads along Waikite Valley Rd for 6km to reach Waikite Valley Thermal Pools, a rewarding attraction blending various hot pools with geological sights, camping and a café.

Waimangu Volcanic Valley

© Destination Rotorua

Whakarewarewa Forest Loop

This new circular route, one way, through its famous namesake forest just 10 minutes’ drive from the centre of Rotorua, has been designed for people of almost all ages, abilities and fitness levels. Riders, including those on e-bikes,are loving it. You don’t have to be a professional downhiller; as long as you’re a confident rider,you’ll find the variety of uphill, downhill and flat sections interesting, fun and fairly easy to navigate.

Redwood Forest

© Destination Rotorua

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRAIL

• Come dusk, Te Puia guides will sneak you into the geothermal valley through a secret passage on a guided night trail concluding at the world-famous Pōhutu Geyser glowing under the night’s sky.

• Secret Spot Hot Tubs are submerged in the Whakarewarewa Forest Park. Book a private hot tub and order chilled drinks.

• In Rotorua, dine well at lively Eat Streat, visit up to 18 lakes or walk under the umbrella of almighty Redwood giants in The Redwoods – Whakarewarewa Forest.

Redwood Forest, Rotorua

© Destination Rotorua

• Just minutes away from Rotorua city centre are the free Kuirau Park foot pools.

• With steaming vents and boiling mud pools right on the shores of Lake Rotorua, Sulphur Point is a particularly stunning section of the trail.

• In Waimangu Volcanic Valley, self-guided walks range from 1.5km jaunts to 4.5km hikes, while the 45-minute lake cruise visits geothermal sites not accessible on foot.

• The surreal landscape of Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland includes a lunarlike terrain, mud pools and coloured ponds. Don’t miss the daily explosion of Lady Knox Geyser at 10.15am.

• At Waikite Valley Thermal Springs, water is supplied from the largest single source of 100 percent pure geothermal water in New Zealand.

• Take the gondola to the top of Skyline Rotorua to sample Volcanic Hills wines.

Lake Rotomahana

© Destination Rotorua

MORE MOUNTAIN BIKING, PLEASE

The new Te Pūtake o Tawa (also to be known as Tawa Forest Hub) has been newly built in Whakarewarewa Forest, offering a 40km looped trail, as well as mini loops so you don’t have to complete the entire thing in one go. With toilets, showers, bike hire and food vendors, it’s your onestop spot for fun.

We think Rotorua is one of the world’s premier mountain biking destinations, but if you don’t believe us, believe the industry’s star riders – every March Rotorua hosts the international mountain bike festival, Crankworx.

Whakarewarewa Forest is one of the most established mountain bike networks in New Zealand and well regarded for its whopping 180km of trails. Accommodating everyone, there are Grade 1-5 tracks which all loop around two central points: the Waipa car park and the visitors’ centre at The Redwoods. Short trails make up the core of the circuit and interlink with an outer, more technical section. With a steady supply of shuttles and continual upgrades, this is a mountain biking forest that keeps every rider happy. For a series of constantly evolving trails, you can’t go wrong at Redwood Forest Park. The tracks cover 130km of terrain and are divvied into several riding areas to suit every skill level. If you’re a fan of extreme downhill riding, Skyline Gravity Park is the world’s first all-season gondola-accessed mountain biking park, complete with an exhilarating 12km downhill course. Need more? The Rainbow Mountain Summit Trail is also a spectacular, albeit challenging, Grade 4 mountain bike loop.

Whakarewarewa Forest

© Destination Rotorua

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