Our Favourite Five Mountain Biking & Cycling Trails For Your Summer Holiday

The Timber Trail (Taupo)

Time: 2 Days

Distance: 87km

Grade: Easy - Intermediate 

Location: Pureora Forest Park, Taupo

The Timber Trail is another classic. Appropriately named, the trail follows the path of old logging roads and tramlines through the wilderness of the Pureora Forest. 

The trail features ancient forest, bustling birdlife, and relics from the timber industry once present in the forest. The trail also features a significant 53 meter high suspension bridge, spanning 141 meters across the Maramataha river.

The accessibility of the trail is exceptional with accommodation and guided tours available from local businesses.

Here is a link to the Timber Trail official website for all the information you’ll need to plan your ride.

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Whakarewarewa Forest Loop Track + Redwoods Mountain Bike Park (Rotorua)

Time: 1 Day - 1 Week 

Distance: 35km & 180km of trails

Grade: Easy - Extreme

Location: Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua

Loop Track

The Whakarewarewa Forest Loop Track circumnavigates the Whakarewarewa Mountain Bike Park through a collection of grade 1-2 trails. The loop track is a great way for riders to experience the best of the Whakarewarewa Forest without having to overcome any challenges they’re not ready for.

The loop starts and finishes at the Waipa entrance to the forest. It is a one way track and is designed to be ridden clockwise. If you’re new to mountain biking the loop track would be a great way to build your confidence before venturing into other areas of the park.

The Park

The great thing about the park itself is that nothing is too easy and nothing is too hard. It hosts trails and runs for riders of all experience levels and comfort zones. 

From smooth, rolling rides to gnarly and technical lines as well as big jumps that most of us would see and say “hell no”.

The Redwoods Mountain Bike Park truly is an all inclusive mountain biking exprecience. 

Here’s a link to the Mountain Biking Rotorua website for further information including bike hire and shutters.

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Woodhill Mountain Bike Park (Auckland)

Time: As long as you like

Distance: 100+kms

Grade: Easy - Advanced

Location: Woodhill, Auckland

There's a reason why Woodhill is Auckland's favourite place to ride. 

It hosts over 100 kilometers of great singletrack riding and, like the Redwoods, caters to riders of all experience levels. That's why we love MTB parks so much. It’s great riding that anyone can enjoy.

Located just 40 minutes from downtown Auckland, the park offers bike hire, a proshop, a coffee shop to chill out and relax at after your ride, as well as a workshop for any maintenance or repairs that your bike needs. 

If you're around Auckland over the summer, or anytime of year for that matter, and looking to get out there and do something, Woodhill Mountain Bike Park is the place to go.

Here’s a link to their website for all the information you might need.

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Otago Central Rail Trail (Otago)

Time: 1-5 Days

Distance: 152km

Grade: Easy

Location: Central Otago

New Zealand’s Original Great Ride.

The Otago Central Rail Trail runs smoothly through the region's heartland offering splendor landscapes and copious displays of natural grandeur. Throughout the trail there are also numerous opportunities to treat yourself to local food and wines from the region's vineyards.   

The trail runs on a cruisy 2% (1:50) gradient following the old Otago Central railway line between Middlemarch & Clyde. 

This trail has to be one of, if not the most, accessible and accommodating trails in the country. There are lodges, cafes, shuttles, luggage transfers and cycle tours available so that you can just get on your bike and enjoy the scenery and history that the trail has to offer. 

Here’s a link to the Otago Central Rail Trail official website for all the information you’ll need to plan your luxurious ride.