Rotorua is one of the best places to go mountain biking in New Zealand and possibly in the world. With hundreds of trails to pick from and a wide variety of trails to get stuck into, it’s not hard to see why people flock from all over the world to come and ride Rotorua’s mountain biking trails. Whether you are looking for downhill thrills and spills or challenging woodland trails, Rotorua has it all.
Skyline Gondola – MTB Gravity Park
Mountain Bikers heading down the MTB Gravity Park from the Skyline Gondola, Rotorua
One of the biggest attractions for those who love the downhill mountain biking but are not so keen on the uphill stuff is the MTB Gravity Park which is accessed via the Skyline Gondola. The gondola assisted bike lift will get you up to the top of the park in no time at all where you will have access to some world-class downhill mountain biking.
With 10.5 kilometres of trail to explore featuring varying terrains for riders of all abilities, the year-round mountain biking here is some of the best in the world. Not only is the mountain biking exhilarating, you also get to take in some magnificent views over Rotorua and beyond. The lift allows for four people and four bikes at any one time, meaning up to 3,000 downhill runs per day. Passes are available from 1 uplift all the way to 100 uplifts – the more you do the cheaper it becomes!
Check out the Skyline website for more information.
The Redwoods – Whakarewarewa Forest
Mountain Bikers heading down one of the trails in the Redwoods, Rotorua
One of the oldest mountain bike networks in the country, there are around 130kms of continually evolving trails in the Redwoods and they are set up for riders of all abilities from kids and beginners to the extreme mountain bikers from around the world. The trails are all FREE to use and attract huge numbers of people on the weekends however the 130kms of trail mean that it rarely feels overcrowded and there is always a run you can get onto with less people on it.
The trails are all clearly graded from easy all the way through to extreme so be sure to pick a trail that suits your level of riding. The extreme trails feature obstacles that cannot be avoided as well as large drop offs, some of which are man-made and will challenge even the most accomplished rider. The Redwoods are something every biking enthusiast should experience so we highly recommend a trip down to Rotorua to experience the magnificence of this amazing forest.
Find out more on the Redwoods website.
Rotorua Bike Festival
Every year Rotorua plays host to one of the world’s biggest biking festivals – the Rotorua Bike Festival when thousands of mountain bikers from around the world descend in the city to test their skills against the very best on some of the world’s best mountain biking trails. The majority of the events are held in the Whakarewarewa Forest with other events taking place in and around the city. Rotoura is one of only a handful of destinations in the world to be awarded gold status by the Mountain Biking Association and that’s part of the reason so many people make the trip each year.
The next event is on the 10-19 February 2017 so if you think you have got what it takes, find out more and get involved! Visit the official Rotorua Bike Festival website.
If you are new to biking there are also lots of options in the city for coaching and plenty of places to hire good quality bikes that are perfect for riding the trails. Both the Skyline Gravity Park and the Redwoods have dedicated mountain bike hire stations and they will make sure you are set up with a bike that’s the right size for you.
If you are planning a trip to Rotorua to do some mountain biking with a group of mates, the Four Canoes Hotel is the perfect place to come and stay if you are looking for a bed for the night, somewhere to make your own food and a great base that’s within a 5 minute drive of the Redwoods. For those looking for something a bit more luxurious, maybe a weekend away with the family or with your partner, the Lake Rotorua Hotel may be more up your street. With easy access to the Skyline Gravity Park, it’s a great place to base yourself for lots of activities in Rotorua.