DAY 2

Ride Waihaha Hut Trail

We’ll head south this morning towards New Zealand’s largest lake – Lake Taupo, and make our way west to the beginning of the Waihaha trail. We’ll start off meandering alongside the banks of the Waihaha river. Things get more technical as we leave the shrubland and enter into dense podocarp rainforest. There’s some quick fire intense climbs and descents en route to the Waihaha hut where we’ll have lunch and make our way back to the trail head. After our ride we’ll head south into the volcanic central plateau.

ACCOMMODATION: Ohakune Lodge RIDE TIME: 4 hours  DISTANCE: 19 km CLIMB: 673 metres DESCENT: 673 metres  MEALS: (B,L,D)

DAY 3

Ride the Bridge to Nowhere

This morning we’ll drive west towards Whanganui National Park – arguably New Zealands most remote and visually stunning parks. We’ll kick straight into a climb as we enter the forest – get into a granny gear and stick with it for 5km but we’ll be sure to make some mandatory stops to turn around and soak in the stunning mountain views along the way. After our climb we’ll ride the Mangapurua ridge line with yet more incredible views of Whanganui national park before long ride down to the famous Bridge to Nowhere – a symbol of the failed attempts by early pioneers to settle in such a remote environment. After the ride we’ll take a jetboat ride down the Whanganui River to our waiting shuttle and return to Ohakune.

ACCOMMODATION: Ohakune Lodge RIDE TIME: 7 hours  DISTANCE: 34 km  CLIMB: 2300 metres DESCENT: 2561 metres  MEALS: (B,L,D)

DAY 4

Ride Rainbow Mountain

A drive back north this morning brings us to “Kerosene Creek”, where the Rainbow Mountain ride begins. We’ll start out with a lung busting 40 minute climb to the summit of Rainbow Mountain. From the summit, the views out to Lake Taupo and North to Rotorua and the surrounding forests are awesome. Then it’s time for the steep, tight, technical descent through the forest on winding single track, all the way back down to Kerosene Creek. The beauty of this run is that we can do it all over again and double the fun! There’s a chance to soak in the natural hot springs after the ride, then we’ll head back to Rotorua. If you’re up for some more riding, then we can easily stop for some flow trail laps in the Redwoods for good measure.

ACCOMMODATION: Aura Hotel, Rotorua  RIDE TIME: 3 hours  DISTANCE: 11 km  CLIMB: 500 metres MEALS: (B,L,D)

DAY 5

Free Day Rotorua, Check out Zerode HQ or ride the Redwoods

Rotorua is the cultural heart of New Zealand, and a fantastic place to explore, given the variety of options available – from zip lining, to lake cruises to rafting. We can point you in the right direction and help you reserve any activities you might like to do. Or if you’re keen to kick back and relax, it’s also a good idea to have a non-activity day to be rested for the following days riding! For those who are keen, we’ll check out the Zerode Bikes HQ with founder Rob Metz. It’s good wholesome bike-nerd fun! If you’d prefer to ride today, there’s a chance to get back into the Redwoods and explore more of the vast network of trails on offer.

ACCOMMODATION: Aura Hotel, Rotorua RIDE TIME: optional  MEALS:(B,L,D)

DAY 6

Heli biking the Moerangi Trail

Things are always better when you introduce a helicopter into the mix, and the fun factor is ramped up even more when we’re dropped off in arguably one of the worlds most beautiful forests – and then we get to ride through it with absolutely no one around. After the chopper drops us into the mix, we’ll ride the tight single track through pristine forest, traverse big bluffs, take on some grunty climbs and enjoy a lengthy downhill descent to the end of the trail to finish it all off. It really is the jewel in the crown of New Zealand riding and the ultimate way to round off our trip.

ACCOMMODATION: Aura Hotel, Rotorua  RIDE TIME: 5 hours  DISTANCE: 32 km  CLIMB: 2331 metres  DESCENT: 2513 metres  MEALS: (B,L,D)

DAY 7

Ride the backcountry on the Timber Trail (Pureora to Piropiro)

A drive south of Rotorua and through the volcanic heartland of the North Island brings us to the beginning of the Timber Trail – one of the most iconic multi day backcountry rides in New Zealand. After a final thorough check of our bikes and gear, we’ll head into the wild from Pureora, through dense mossy forest on single track, crossing numerous high suspension bridges over amazing forest canyons. There’s a sting in the tail on the first half of today’s ride – a 500 metre gradual ascent through cloud forest and mist, straight out of Lord of the Rings. After a break at the summit of Mt Pureora taking in the epic views, it’s an equally gradual descent down to Piropiro, where our shuttle is waiting for us to head back to Rotorua.

ACCOMMODATION: Aura Hotel, Rotorua RIDE TIME: 4-5 hours DISTANCE: 40 km CLIMB: 500 metres DESCENT: 540 metres MEALS: (B,L,D)

DAY 8

Heli Biking the Pakihi Trail

Today we’ll jump in a helicopter again, fly high over the deep forested backcountry of the eastern Bay of Plenty, and drop into 21 kilometres of single track heaven. The Pakihi trail descends the river valley of the same name, through spectacular forest and alongside a pristine river. It has a slice of everything – tight lines, some flow, exposure with views, features to navigate and it’s all downhill. Later we’ll return to Rotorua for our final dinner and celebrate an epic trip.

ACCOMMODATION: Aura Hotel, Rotorua RIDE TIME: 5 hours DISTANCE: 32 km CLIMB: 2331 metres DESCENT: 2513 metres MEALS: (B,L,D)

DAY 9

Depart

Today is the last day of your North Island riding adventure with BKXC and New Zealand Mountain Biking. We hope you’ll have enjoyed your time here, having ridden some of the best trails in New Zealand and taken in the best scenery on the planet in the process. Our specialty is first class guiding, being welcoming hosts, taking care of all the logistics and nitty gritty details, and ensuring it’s all done in style. We’ll send you home relaxed, refreshed and looking forward to the next epic ride.

MEALS: (B)