Great Lake Trail
The Great Lake Trail follows the stunning scenic shores of beautiful Lake Taupo, boasting the best of the Western Bays without the crowds. This truly is the perfect adventure playground. The Great Lake Trail is a track that you don’t feel like you should be allowed on – it’s so well built that it’s unbelievable!
The trail provides 71 km of all-weather pumice trail riding through native scenic terrain, with breathtaking views across Great Lake Taupo to the majestic Tongariro National Park.
Riders have the option of riding the full trail over two or three days or choosing shorter riding options to suit fitness, experience and the time available. Water taxis can ferry riders and bikes to four access points along the trail, making a variety of trips possible.
Great Lake Trail – Waihaha
GRADE: 3 Intermediate
DISTANCE: 13km
ESTIMATED TIME: Cycling 1.5 – 2 hours | Walking 3.5 hours – allow longer if you want to enjoy the scenery
This section is accessible from the Western Bays Rd, SH32. There is amazing riding found here, rocks have been blasted, and many big bridges built to access waterfalls and the more untouched shores of the beautiful Lake Taupo! All for your riding pleasure!
Trail: From the Waihaha River Carpark, you will follow the trail down the river to a swing bridge. After you’ve crossed the river you will start climbing gently up onto the cliffs above, following the course of the river to the sign that marks the start of the Waihora trail junction. This trail has breathtaking views of the Waihaha River canyon and waterfall (a must see hidden gem of the Western Bays of Great Lake Taupo).
It is surrounded by lush native bush including Tanekaha (Celery Pine) which is endemic to this region of the North Island. You will also see large outcrops of ancient volcanic rocks along the trail.
Great Lake Trail – Waihora
GRADE: 3 Intermediate
DISTANCE: 17km
ESTIMATED TIME: Cycling 2 – 2.5 hours | Walking 4 hours – allow longer if you want to enjoy the scenery.
Bike Taupo crew finished this section in April 2014 and they are happy to admit it’s their best track yet. Jonathan Kennett from NZ Cycle Trails has said that this trail is the best grade 3 NZ Cycle Trail in New Zealand!
Trail: This trail is a really fun trail to ride. While the scenery is amazing, it’s not just about taking photos. This is a challenging ride with many climbs and switch-backs but you will get to ride some of the best flowing downhills you have ever experienced as the trail allows you to free roll around sweeping corners and bends at top speed. Feel the flow! As you descend towards the lake, you will reach a unique engineering feat of bridges, platforms and boardwalks that will take you over the Kotukutuku Waterfall and out onto the beach at the beautiful and peaceful Kotukutuku Landing. Where else in the world do you get to ride down a waterfall?!
Great Lake Trail – Orakua
GRADE: 3 Intermediate
DISTANCE: 9.8km
ESTIMATED TIME: Cycling 1 hour | Walking 3 hours
This section begins from the Whangamata Road car park, the trail follows the Orakau Stream and ) wetland, through regenerating native bush down to Kawakawa Bay on the edge of Lake Taupō. Known in the region as Chinaman’s after Chinaman’s Creek, this was geographically incorrect but this name has stuck with local riders, which can cause confusion as to where you are going to ride. A great place to see a restoration project in place, as Bike Taupo, Greening Taupo and DOC work on the Wetland and Native Bush in this area.
Great Lake Trail – Kawakawa to Kinloch
GRADE: 3 Intermediate
DISTANCE: 9.2km
ESTIMATED TIME: Cycling 1.5 hours | Walking 3 hours
An upgraded old tramping track, it used to be tough going but now everything that was too steep has been re-routed. Kawakawa Bay is a popular area for rock climbing and for boaties during the summer. Sit on the nice fine stoney beach, enjoy the crystal clear waters, listen to the breeze in the Kawakawa trees along with the Tui birds, Tomtits, Fantails, and other native birds. Look out over our beautiful lake and ponder how it all came to be.
Kawakawa Bay the trail climbs up through native bush to the Te Kauwae headland. The highest elevation of the trail is reached at about 3km where there is a rock lookout over a stunning view of Kawakawa bay. There is no mistaking how this bay got it’s name with all the Kawakawa trees below. On the left of the panoramic view some cliffs can be seen that are often used by rock climbers. The far west bays of Waihaha and Waihora can also been seen. If you are riding on one of our expeditions it is also interesting to note that Mt. Pureora (of the Pureora Timber Trail) can be seen on the western horizon if it is a clear day. This lookout rock is the most photographed point on the whole Great Lake Trail.
Great Lake Trail – Kinloch to Whakaipo Bay
GRADE: 3 Intermediate
DISTANCE: 2-2.5 hours | 13km
ESTIMATED TIME: Cycling 2 hours | Walking 3 hours
This fantastic track is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. If you like riding your bike off road and enjoy NZ’s native bush you will surely have a great time! The W2K is 13km over to Whakaipo Bay and there is a 9km loop that can be added on the headlands at the top.
Starting at the Kinloch Domain, follow the markers around the marina and along the waterfront and then up a gully to Boojum Dell. The trail climbs steadily up through native bush and onto the headland, providing great views across the lake and back down into Kinloch. At the junction of the Headland Loop there is a toilet and a map. The 9.5km Headland Loop can be ridden in either direction as an add-on to the W2K. This trail is is part of the Great Lake Trail, however it is narrower and more technical than the rest of the W2K section. On the Headland Loop there are no major rooty or rocky sections, just tighter corners with plenty of fast flowing descents. It’s one of those rare gems that feels like there is more descending than climbing. A masterfully built trail.
Great Lake Trail – Headland Loop
GRADE: 3 Intermediate
DISTANCE: 9.5km
ESTIMATED TIME: Cycling 1.5 hour | Walking 3 hours
A loop trail option off the W2K that follows the top of the Whangamata Bluffs out to the end of the headland. More great native bush and awesome views across the lake to the Kaimanawas, Karangahape Cliffs and Tongariro National Park (the best view anywhere of Great Lake Taupo). There is also a short lookout trail that offers views of Kinloch and Whangamata Bay.
This climbs and descends most of the way and offers fantastic flowing trails, a real mountain bike rider pleaser!
Rotary Ride, Huka Falls & Aratiatia Dam
GRADE: 2-3 Easy to Intermediate
DISTANCE: Spa Park to Huka Falls – 5km. Huka Falls to Aratiatia Dam – 7km. Total 12km one way / 24km return.
Allow a leisurely 2-3 hours to complete the trail from Spa Park to Huka Falls and back; or 5-6 hours if you choose to continue on to the Aratiatia Dam.
This is one of our more popular mountain biking packages which is great for beginners and also advanced riders alike due to the various riding options available.
Everyone will start at Spa Thermal Park and bike through to Huka Falls. The biking trail follows the Waikato River through native bush and passes Huka Lodge before emerging at Huka Falls, New Zealand’s most highly visited natural attraction. There are plenty of viewing platforms at Huka Falls so make sure you get a photo of the most photographed scenic attraction in New Zealand!
Timber Trail
GRADE: 3 Intermediate
DISTANCE: 85km (40km Pureora Village to Piropiro, 45km Piropiro to Ongarue)
ESTIMATED TIME: Cycling 1-2 days | Walking 3-4 Days
Experience the feeling of being suspended in time, as you begin your ride along the 85km Timber Trail. Boasting some of the highest and longest suspension bridges in New Zealand, the Timber Trail weaves its way through ancient forest, across ancestral lands of local Maori Tribes, and along part of the historic Ongarue Tramway.
The Timber Trail is nestled in Pureora Forest, between Lake Taupo and Te Kuiti, in the Central North Island. Begin your journey at Pureora Village in the north, ending at Ongarue in the south. Experience the full grandeur of the forest, open to cyclists and walkers alike. Whether a day out with the family, a group ride (or walk) with like-minded people, or maybe even a team building experience, The Timber Trail offers something for everyone.
Waikato River Trail
A dream to create a series of cycling and walking trails along the Waikato River has become a reality with the opening in November 2011 of the Waikato River Trails.
The Waikato River Trails has created multiple access points for walking, biking and tramping along New Zealand’s longest river – the mighty Waikato.
Experience the Unseen – the trails cover 100kms of previously inaccessible Southern Waikato land. They wind their way along a path that encompasses the magic and beauty of New Zealand native bush, exotic forest, historic landmarks, interesting rock formations and geological delights.
Other Trails
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Lions Walk – (for the whole family – a paved ride)
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Tongariro River Trail (family trail ride)
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Te Iringa
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Tree Trunk Gorge
