Riding Rotorua
& Timber Trail
+64 22 6006562
CALL TODAY
+64 22 6006562
CALL TODAY
+64 22 6006562
CALL TODAY
+64 22 6006562
CALL TODAY
+64 22 6006562
CALL TODAY
+64 22 6006562
CALL TODAY
Fly in, ride & escape, head home.
GRADE 2-3 EASY – INTERMEDIATE
DAYS 4
BACKCOUNTRY – E-BIKE OPTION
DEPART ROTORUA
ARRIVE ROTORUA
COST NZD $2989
Ride the Timber Trail – the jewel in the crown of the New Zealand’s back country cycle trails. This easy 4 day Great Ride tour takes in the world class trails of Rotorua before delving deep into one of New Zealand’s most pristine forests. Ride the relatively easy Forest Loop in Rotorua before heading out to the Timber Trail, stay in comfortable accommodation in a forest paradise, and ride with expert guides and hosts.
Available dates 2024/25 Season:
March 9-12 (4 spaces) | April 13-16 (3 spaces)
Available dates 2025/26 Season:
October 12-15 | November 9-12 | December 14-17 | January 11-14 | February 8-11 | March 8-11 | April 12-15
Available dates 2026/27 Season:
October 11-14 | November 8-11 | December 13-16 | January 10-13 | February 14-17 | March 14-17 | April 11-14
Ask us about an e-bike option on this trip!
DAY 1
Arrive Rotorua, Ride Whakarewarewa Forest
Our trip begins in Rotorua – the capital of mountain biking in New Zealand. That’s our very biased local opinion, but you’ll see what we mean when we head into “the Redwoods”, as there’s a trail to suit anyone, and no mountain biking trip to New Zealand is complete without descending into the world famous Redwoods! So depending on how jetlagged you are, we can get a sense of what you’re after and hit the perfect trail – smooth buttermilky flowy goodness with berms galore, we can even bite off the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop. Rotorua is famous for it’s “Hero Dirt” – tacky, with minimal rocks – all set up for maximum fun.
ACCOMMODATION: Rotorua Twin Share (single sup available) RIDE TIME: 3-5 hours DISTANCE: Up to you MEALS: (L,D)
DAY 2
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, and our accommodation for the evening, which definitely involves hearty food, hot showers, comfortable lodging and a well deserved drink.
ACCOMMODATION: Timber Trail Lodge RIDE TIME: 4-5 hours DISTANCE: 40 km MEALS: (B,L,D) CLIMB: 500 metres DESCENT: 540 metres MEALS: (B,L,D)
DAY 3
Ride the Timber Trail (Piropiro to Ongarue), return to Rotorua
Today is a day of undulation on single track through epic forest (again!), over spectacular suspension bridges, past weird and wonderful rock formations and remnants of New Zealand’s colonial history, and all round fun on the best grade 2/3 trail in the world. After the 5km mark, the significant uphill section is behind us and it’s all about the descent through the forest, New Zealand’s highest suspension bridge, and experiencing the only rideable railway spiral in the world – a relic of New Zealand’s early logging pioneers. At the end of the Timber Trail we will head back to Rotorua.
ACCOMMODATION: Rotorua Twin Share (single sup available) RIDE TIME 5 hours DISTANCE: 44 km CLIMB: 400 metres DESCENT: 750 metres MEALS: (B,L,D)
DAY 4
Depart
Today is the last day of your Rotorua and Timber Trail riding adventure with us. 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.
TOUR DEPARTURE DATES
Departure dates
Ask us if we have any departure dates that suit your travel dates and we’ll see what we can do!
Available dates 2024/25 Season:
March 9-12 | April 13-16
Available dates 2025/26 Season:
October 12-15 | November 9-12 | December 14-17 | January 11-14 | February 8-11 | March 8-11 | April 12-15
Available dates 2026/27 Season:
October 11-14 | November 8-11 | December 13-16 | January 10-13 | February 14-17 | March 14-17 | April 11-14
The Dirt on the Details
ACCOMMODATION
Resting up in comfortable lodging and surroundings at the end of a days ride is important. We don’t like to dirtbag it anymore, so neither should you. We’ve selected lodges and hotels that are rider friendly and understand the importance of a place to hang out, wash your bike, socialise and exaggerate about riding experiences at the end the day on the trail.
INCLUSIONS
Breakfasts, lunches and dinners, except for your free day in Rotorua where lunch and dinner are on you.
Riding snacks – because you need fuel
All transport and shuttles – all you need to concentrate on is riding
Guiding and hosting. Including airport shuttles on arrival and departure dates of your tour.
All park entrance fees to our national parks and riding areas
All accommodation
Bike assembly (we encourage you to bring your own bike but bike rental is available on request)
EXCLUSIONS
International & domestic flights
Travel Insurance
Extra personal riding gear. Eg. elbow pads, water/hydrations system backpack etc
Alcohol
Gallery
“There is no better way to enjoy mountain biking than to find someone with the expertise and trail knowledge to make local arrangements. We had fun, many laughs, and the peak experience of the tour exceeded all expectations.”
