The most popular entry to the forest is from the Waipa Mill access road, signposted off SH5 a few kms south of town. It is easy riding distance, especially if you are staying at the very cool Redwood Thermal Holiday Park at the south end of Old Taupo Road. Through the carpark, past the free bike wash stand (with drinkable water) over the little bridge, and you are on the trail. If you go hard right you have a nice flat trail to warm up on, and you can work your way around the whole thing from here. Remember that to get back to your car (don't laugh, people get hopelessly lost 5 minutes from the exit) go downhill on Pohaturoa Rd, off Nursery Rd at the big intersection. There is a sign which helps but not if you are too rooted to read.
There are over 30 kilometres of named, signposted trails in this section of the forest, which is amazing because the area we are talking about is only a couple of kms square. The whole thing is mapped, and you can get maps from the visitor centre in Long Mile Rd, and also from Ed at Planet Bike in the carpark. Ed makes a great coffee, rents out good bikes, and has basic trail essentials. He is a wealth of knowledge, a good guy and a good mechanic.
You can also easily access pick up points for the South Star Shuttle from here (or drive past the car park and the Red Stag Mill to the Hill Road gate entrance to the forest).
Unfortunately, there are some selfish dickheads for whom the trail system doesn't provide what they seek. Instead of going somewhere else in the other 90% of the forest and building what they want, they shortcut, or otherwise modify the established system. Their activities could make it difficult for you to navigate if you are not a local. Please don't be shy, ask anybody who looks like they know where they are going if you are in doubt about where you are headed. Have fun!
From Longmile Rd
There is a Visitor Centre in LongMile Rd where you can get up to date information and maps. Call in and tell the staff how cool the trails are. The Redwood grove around this area is full of walking tracks, and horse tracks, and is off limits to bike riders.
If you want to start your ride here, go to the far end of Longmile Rd from Tarawera Rd and cross the gate to head up the tarsealed climb of Nursery Road. The trail system has an entrance at the top of the hill.
From Green Lake Lookout Carpark
TIKITAPU AND LAKE FRONT ROADS ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO LOGGING. PLEASE OBEY ALL SIGNS AND DO NOT PASS THROUGH TAPE. THANK YOU
A great place to start for some different/big loops.
This carpark is behind the Blue Lake at the top of the hill. Follow Tarawera Rd some 8kms from the round-about at Te Ngae & Tarawera.
Remember to lock your car & keep all valuables out of sight. Rotorua has its share of a'holes that will wreck your holidays if you aren't careful.
