photo credit: Velaia (ParisPeking)

Rotorua can justifiably lay claim to the title of New Zealand’s leading mountain bike destination.

The city is renowned among mountain bikers as the location for a huge range of premier mountain biking events from the UCI 2006 Worlds and the UCI 2006 Oceania Championships to the inaugural single speed nationals in April 2008 and the annual madcap 12 and 24-hour Cateye Moonride. But for most, Rotorua’s mountain bike trails are just a place to have some fun!

Rotorua is truly a Mecca for mountain bikers - just minutes away from the city centre there are thousands of hectares of forest awaiting exploration.

The city’s mountain biking adventure playground is centred on the Whakarewarewa Forest with its wealth of top quality tracks. A network of more than 70km of trails caters for all levels of riders, from beginners and family groups through to experts looking for extreme action.

Trails weave their way through lush native ferns beneath soaring forest canopies of Redwood, Radiata, Douglas Fir, Eucalyptus and Larch. Riders are constantly afforded glimpses of Rotorua’s beautiful lakes, geothermal activity and brooding Mt. Tarawera. Cross country or downhill, Rotorua’s impressive mountain biking options mean enthusiasts can easily fill an hour, a day or an entire weekend in ‘mountain biking heaven’ while in Rotorua.

Selected to host the Worlds Mountain Bike and Trials Championships in August 2006, Rotorua proved to be an inspired choice. While the competition courses were centred on Mt Ngongotaha due a number of logistical factors, New Zealand and international competitors revelled at the chance to train and play in Rotorua’s celebrated Whakarewarewa Forest.

According the Rotorua District Council’s Events Manager, the feedback was amazing “. . . these guys and girls just loved the trails in Whaka Forest due to their technical challenges, scenic aspects and accessibility.”

Rotorua’s own Vanessa Quinn, the 2004 elite women’s downhill world champion, often thinks of the stunning trails back home in New Zealand when she is training and competing overseas.

“Rotorua has some of the best mountain biking in the world, and it is extra special to me because it’s home,” she says. “I dream about those cross country trails in the Redwoods ( Whaka Forest) when I’m away, stuck in an airport for hours or driving across country to the next race. We are so lucky to have them in our backyard.”

For further information and detailed maps about where to ride visit The Redwoods Gift Shop and Visitor centre or Rotorua i-SITE. Maps are available to purchase for the cost of $5.00 at Rotorua i-SITE and the Redwoods Gift Shop and Visitor Centre.

All profits from the sale of the Whakarewarewa Forest mountain biking map go towards maintaining the forest’s recreational tracks and facilities. Please support this initiative by purchasing a copy of the double-sided map, printed on waterproof paper. It’s perfect for carrying on forest rides in any weather.