Lots of changes in the Rotorua forest!
One of the most amazing things about a forest that receives so many thousands of visitors on bikes, on foot, and on horseback, is that it is a working forest. Sections of it are harvested, and this process means some well-loved trails are destroyed. The good news is that in every case the trails that are created to replace those that are lost are better than the originals. The trees regrow, and in a few years it is hard to recall the carnage of the immediate aftermath of logging. The image we have chosen is an example. That is the rebuilt Split Enz, the image was taken the year after the block was felled, and five years later the trees are 5 metres high.
The Whaka Forest Loop
This exciting trail is part of the Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trail system. The trail gives just about anybody a chance to sample the best of the Whakarewarewa Forest, on trails circumnavigating the entire park.
The 35 kilometre route takes in views of three lakes, many different types of forest, and can be completed in a day or two, in various sections, or used to create loops of your own.
Hundreds of kilometres of hero dirt
The incredible trail system in the Whakarewarewa Forest close to town is world famous for its flow and fantastic dirt. That is what makes Rotorua mountain biking so special, almost any day of the year you can get the ride of your life - dig into the trail pages we've put together to get the best out of your ride.
