Mr Gary Fisher has ridden these trails, and claims they're some of the best in the world. Does Whaka live up to expectation? You betcha!!

Whakawerawera Forest - prounounced 'fak-a-wayra-wayra' (Whaka for short, bizarrely pronounced 'wah-ka'), lies on the southern side of Rotorua. The area is famous for its geothermal activity and Maori culture - even in the forest, you can't escape the power of earth, with steam and bubbling mud abound, and the chants of Maori cultural demonstrations ringing in the distance. Rotorua is also hosting the 2006 World Mountain Bike Championships.

The forest trails have been steadily developed over a decade or two, and have culminated in todays extensive network of technical and not-so technical, but always fun trails. The trails are man made, but don't let that put you off - they have everything you could want in a forest trail system, and more besides, because not only do you get the adrenalin-forming trails, you get stunning vistas over the surrounding countryside, and an entire forest full of forest roads and 'locals' trails.

The way marked action starts from the mtb car-park, which features a trail map and bike washing facilities - for free! A route map is available from most local bike shops for a few dollars - for your first visit, well worth the money. Also drop into the forest info centre (where you can view a 3D model of the forest), Rotorua Tourism, or your accomodation info area, and you can pick up a free guide to the rest of the forest trails, including some all-day walks. There are fresh water taps scattered around the forest so you can top up dwindling on-bike supplies

Whilst not being mountainous, the gentle slopes are put to very good use, to produce a variety of trails, from swoopy and steep to an amazing trail which is virtually flat, but hilly too. Weird, but great (Diamond Back (red) trail).

Funn trail is exactly what is says on the tin, whilst only being short, can easily be incorporated several times into a fun multi-trail loop. Once ridden a few times, there are some sections you can nail flat out, and get a huge buzz from.

Then there's the downhill run used for the national championships - ask in the local bike shops to mark up a map.

Locals won't mind you tagging along - check the local shops for riders heading out, or just hook up with folk in the car park. Most bike shops in town do bike hire, and there's a company that operate from the mtb car park, daily in summer, and weekends and bank holidays in winter. Also try Ed-zone in town - they'll rent you bikes and take you to the forest for free (if you hire...), and guide you if you want (extra). They also operate a downhill run at Skyline Skyrides, and Ed is bike mad.

A super forest, you can't really get lost, very friendly locals to help or even ride with, and super scenery. And only a ten minute ride from town to boot. Perfect.

Some words of caution - this is a working forest, you can get personal with some huge bits of motorised metal, that will make a handy job of rearranging you and your bike if you stray from the open areas. Just watch out for 'closed' signs.Fletcher Challenge Forests manages the forest, they run huge trucks on surrounding roads, so be careful there too.

This is a multi-use forest. Walkers, joggers, kiddies and possums (maybe) use this forest, so watch out. The waymarked mtb trails are closed to walkers and one-way only. Walking trails are closed to mountain bikes - be responsible, for yourself and future users.

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Loads of trails - singletrack & forest track Accomodation is plentiful in Rotorua - the full range Water taps scattered about the forest - shown on forest map Bike hire in mtb car park Post ride eats - Zippy Central (Pukuatua Street - bike park outside), Fat Dog, loads of others, all in Rotorua Lots of mtb events here - duathlons, national xc & dh events, Cateye Moonride 12/24hr race
links
Department of Conservation    Cateye Moonride    Planet Bike - hire    Rotoru MTB Club