New Zealand with
The Ridge Riders

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 back to our pad in Rotorua.

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

DAY 3

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

DAY 4

Redwoods Land Rover Shuttles

This morning we’ll make our way back to Rotorua and have a little chill time before we hit the Redwoods for the ultimate shuttle day! Rotorua is, without a doubt, home to the best single track riding in New Zealand. Today we’ll have access to every corner of it. Our Redwoods Land Rover Shuttles day means we’ll have access to an entire network of 200km of single track, have it to ourselves and do it in style on our very own Land Rovers. We’ll tailor the day to the type of trails you want to ride, and there’s no need to pedal uphill!

ACCOMMODATION: Rotorua Riding House RIDE TIME: optional  MEALS:(B,L,D)

DAY 5

Ride Rainbow Mountain & Free afternoon

A very short drive out of town this morning brings us to “Kerosene Creek”, where the Rainbow Mountain ride begins. We’ll start out with a 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. This afternoon is free for you to explore Rotorua – there’s TONNES to do!

ACCOMMODATION: Rotorua Riding House  RIDE TIME: 2 hours  DISTANCE: 11 km  CLIMB: 500 metres 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: Rotorua Riding House  RIDE TIME:5 hours  DISTANCE: 32 km  CLIMB: up to 800 metres  DESCENT: 2513 metres  MEALS: (B,L,D)

DAY 7

Ride Redwoods in the morning – Depart

We’ll ride one final time this morning and head into the forest to discover yet more gems. After the final ride this morning, we’ll have lunch, wash down our bikes and head to the airport. Today is the last day of your North Island riding adventure with 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.

ACCOMMODATION:   MEALS: (B,L)