6 minute read
WHAKAREWAREWA FOREST LOOP
TE PŪTAKE O TAWA CAR PARK LOOP
3-5 hours - 31km
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© AA Traveller 2022
Glowworm tour, Rotorua © Real Rotorua
New Zealand’s premier e-bike track takes in gurgling mud pools and active geysers while weaving through the shady Whakarewarewa Forest tracks. The combination of ups, downs, flats, hairpin bends and berms will keep you on your toes and smiling from ear to ear.
The newest addition to Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand is the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop, comprised of three stages. The naturally gifted forest, also known the Redwoods, holds a wealth of history, culture, flora and fauna and is beloved by both locals and visitors alike. The new purposebuilt trail takes in a spectrum of Rotorua’s sights.
At Te Pūtake o Tawa, five taonga represent the stories of ancestors (including Hinemoa and Tūtānekai) that are important to Tūhourangi people, mana whenua here. The artists of these pieces are local and direct descendants of the tūpuna depicted.
Between here and Te Ara Ahi, you’ll follow a historically significant path used by local iwi for hundreds of years before the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera destroyed the original forest, burying it under three metres of ash.
Along the Loop, there are several spots to stop and take in spectacular views. Lake Tikitapu makes a great spot for a refreshing swim, and the popular holiday park across the road sells snacks and drinks.
Following Te Koromete Tītokorangi, views open up to the north to reveal the glorious Lake Rotorua and its surrounding caldera.
Whakarewarewa Forest Loop © Graeme Murray
TRAIL INFO
TRAIL GRADES:
TE PŪTAKE O TAWA TO TE ARA AHI Grade 2–3 (EASY- INTERMEDIATE) A 14km ride taking 1–2.5 hours
TE ARA AHI Grade 1 (EASIEST) A 8.5km ride taking 30 minutes
WAIPA CAR PARK TO TE PŪTAKE O TAWA Grade 2 (EASY) A 10.5km ride taking 1–2 hours
INFO: As Whakarewarewa is an active geothermal area and a working forest, all signage or detours must be heeded.
MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Mostly good but can get patchy around Tikitapu.
SAFETY: First aid service is provided by the First Response Unit operated by Rotorua MTB Club. Phone 0800 WHAKA (0800 942 521).
FOOD & WATER: Four water refill stations are marked on the map and on trail map boards.
Food can be purchased at Waipa and Te Pūtake o Tawa car parks, and the holiday park and café at Tikitapu. Days and hours vary.
TYPE OF BIKE: Mountain bikes or electric mountain bikes are required and can be hired at Waipa and Te Pūtake car parks, as well as bike shops in town.
Cycling at Skyline, Rotorua © Nick Lambert
RIDING THE TRAIL
TE PŪTAKE O TAWA TO TE ARA AHI, 14KM
Starting at the Te Pūtake o Tawa car park, the loop begins with a couple of kilometres of wide gravel trail to reach the Feeder track, which you continue on. The next trail is Tangaroamihi, traversing the length of Lake Tikitapu before meeting the adjacent lake, Rotokākahi. At the signposted junction, you can choose to either hop onto the higher Te Kōtukutuku trail for the flowing single track, or take the lower gravel Tikitapu Rd, that is 1.5km shorter overall. A short hill climb is followed by a downhill to Jeff’s Link, joining the route again at the bottom of Te Kōtukutuku trail. Rotokākahi is a private lake for cultural reasons, so please obey the signage and resist the temptation to head down to its shore. After a kilometre of road through a grove of redwoods, the route veers off towards Baja Trail. Following a short climb, the trail descends on one of the most fun sections on the loop, and eventually meeting Te Ara Ahi.
TE ARA AHI, 8.5KM
After exiting Baja, the loop heads towards Te Ara Ahi, a wide, smooth, cruisy concrete path running parallel to SH 5, skirting around the edges of Whakarewarewa Forest as it returns towards Rotorua city and the Waipa car park area.
WAIPA CAR PARK TO TE PŪTAKE O TAWA, 10.5KM
After Waipa car park, you’ll follow Te Ara a Whero across a purpose-built bridge for the loop. Upon reaching a grove of redwoods, the trail passes the bubbling mud pool for which this section gets its name, Te Pikitanga ki Whangapipiro. The climb here is the longest in the whole loop, but it only lasts a couple of minutes and sports a constant gradient and e-bike- friendly uphill berms. The trail then enters Arepa Weherua, heading up Tokorangi Pā Rd and as you follow Te Koromete Titokorangi, views of Lake Rotorua and its surrounding caldera open up. As you continue to traverse the hill face, the trail becomes Tūhua. Past the water reservoir, descend to the pine forest via Kurawai ki Tarawera. After a fun couple of kilometres of single track, there’s a few hundred metres of road before you can decide to continue on the road for a quicker and easier option or veer off along Te Pou Koropū for an extra couple of kilometres of singletrack. Both options re-join at Te Pūtake o Tawa.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRAIL
• Te Puia geothermal park is packed full of experiences to fill your day. From cultural performances and authentic hāngī lunches, to visits to the New Zealand Māori Art and Crafts Institute, where you’ll see flax weaving, greenstone and wood carving. It’s also home to the Kiwi Conservation Centre and Pōhutu geyser.
• Secret Spot Hot Tubs are submerged in the Whakarewarewa Forest Park. Book a private hot tub, sink in and order chilled drinks.
• Tuck in and drink up at one of Eat Streat’s, many lively spots, where there is usually some live music pumping.
• The surreal landscape of Wai- O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland includes a lunar-like terrain, mud pools and coloured ponds. Find out how it is that the Lady Knox Geyser erupts at 10.15am daily.
• 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.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley © Destination Rotorua
• Discover the largest hot waterfall in the southern hemisphere at Hell’s Gate, then soak in the soothing mud spa.The kids will love the variety of hot spring pools at the Polynesian Spa, right in the city centre.
• At Waikite Valley Thermal Springs, water is supplied from the largest single source of 100 per cent pure geothermal water in New Zealand.
© Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
