로토루아 산악자전거: 레드우드 숲 트레일 입문

Five to ten minutes' drive from central Rotorua, giant Californian redwoods close over your head. Beneath them, a web of mountain bike trails packed into volcanic soil runs through the forest, from flat family paths to jump lines that host international events. This guide is for visitors trying mountain biking for the first time in Whakarewarewa Forest, better known as The Redwoods. It explains who looks after the forest, how to read trail grades, which trails suit beginners, the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop Great Ride, where to start and hire a bike, and the safety rules. Information was checked on 30 September 2026 with Rotorua Lakes Council, Rotorua's tourism site (rotoruanz.com), the official Redwoods site and the New Zealand Cycle Trail site (nzcycletrail.com).

At a glance

• Location: about 5 minutes' drive from central Rotorua to the main entrance, about 10 minutes to the trailheads
• Trail network: official sources quote anything from 150 km to more than 300 km, and new trails keep appearing
• Entry: the forest, tracks and visitor centre are all free
• Opening hours: the forest is open 7am to 11pm every day except Christmas Day. Daylight use is recommended for safety (council Redwoods page)
• Signature ride: Whakarewarewa Forest Loop, about 33 km, 3 to 5 hours, mostly grade 2 (easy)
• Season: year-round. The free-draining volcanic soil means trails are rideable soon after rain
• Booking: trails need no booking. Book bike hire, shuttles and peak-season (December to March) accommodation ahead
• Check before you ride: Rotorua Trails Trust trail closures

Who runs The Redwoods?

No single body runs the whole forest, so it helps to know where notices come from. Rotorua Lakes Council's forest project page explains that "The Redwoods" is the popular name for two blocks: Tokorangi Forest, where the redwoods stand, and Whakarewarewa Forest, the commercial plantation beyond it.

• Landowner: Central North Island Iwi Holdings owns the land following its 2008 settlement with the Crown
• Recreation management: the council manages Tokorangi Forest and manages recreation in Whakarewarewa Forest under an agreement with the forest manager Timberlands and others
• Trail building: the mountain bike trails are built and maintained by the charity Rotorua Trails Trust. Riding is free, but the trails rely on donations, so consider giving if you enjoyed your ride
• Mana whenua: the land is significant to Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao and Ngāti Whakaue. The council says full management and ownership will return to mana whenua iwi when the forestry licences end in 2043

This is still a working plantation forest. Logging or planting can close trails or create detours at short notice, so check the Trails Trust closure notices and follow signs on the ground.

How to read trail grades

The official Redwoods bike page uses six grades, shown on map boards at entrances and junctions. Maps are also on the Redwoods guide maps page.

• Beginner: fairly flat, wide, smooth track or gravel road
• Easy: mostly flat with gentle climbs, and rocks or potholes that are easy to avoid
• Intermediate: steep slopes and obstacles possible on narrow track, with poor traction in places
• Advanced: long steep climbs, narrow track and obstacles. Some parts may be easier to walk
• Expert: technical sections, giant climbs, drop-offs, sharp corners and some bike carrying
• Extreme: very steep sections, large drop-offs, man-made structures and jumps. Not a place for beginners

On the national cycle trail scale (grades 1 to 5), the Forest Loop is mostly grade 2 with a few short grade 3 sections. If you are new to mountain biking, start on Beginner and Easy trails and wait until you are comfortable with braking and shifting your weight before trying intermediate trails.

Whakarewarewa Forest Loop: a Great Ride for beginners

The Whakarewarewa Forest Loop circles the forest and joined New Zealand's Great Rides in May 2022. The tourism agency's Forest Loop page and the council describe it as 33 km, while the Ngā Haerenga official page and the Redwoods Forest Loop page list 35 to 36 km. It is mostly one-way, clockwise.

• Time: 3 to 5 hours. Experienced riders can do it in about 2 hours, and e-mountain bikes may be a little quicker
• Surface: wide, fine gravel and volcanic pumice. A mountain bike or e-mountain bike is best
• Highlights: redwood groves, views of Lake Rotorua and Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake), steaming geothermal ground and bubbling mud, and Tūhourangi carvings at the trail hub
• Facilities: three places to buy food, four water refill points and three accessible toilets. Food outlets may close in winter or midweek, so carry snacks
• Charging: there are no e-bike charging stations on the trail, so start fully charged
• Caution: cutting back through the middle is not a shortcut. It crosses a large hilly plantation block
• Cultural respect: Lake Rotokākahi (Green Lake) is private for cultural reasons. Follow the signs and do not go down to its shore

Ngā Haerenga splits the loop into three sections, and you can ride just one if the full loop is too much.

• Te Pūtake o Tawa to Te Ara Ahi: 14 km, grade 2 to 3 (easy to intermediate), 1 to 2.5 hours
• Te Ara Ahi: 8.5 km, grade 2 (easy), 30 minutes, on a flat concrete path heading back towards town
• Waipa car park to Te Pūtake o Tawa: 10.5 km, grade 2 (easy), 1 to 2 hours

The same page also suggests short rides for beginners and families.

• Waipa–Dipper Loop: 5 to 6.5 km, 2 to 3 hours, grade 2, a beginner and kids' loop from the Waipa car park
• Titokorangi Loop: 8.5 km, 2 to 3 hours, grade 2 to 3, starting from the Redwoods Visitor Centre on Titokorangi Drive
• Tikitapu Loop: 14.5 km (8.5 km short option), 1.5 to 2 hours, grade 2, starting at Lake Tikitapu, which has a swimming lake, barbecue areas and a food store

Trail hubs and bike hire

• Waipa car park (Waipa State Mill Road): the main entry for mountain bikers, with direct access to the easiest trails, the Kids' Loop and the Forest Loop. There is bike hire, a café, showers, a bike wash and hot tubs
• Te Pūtake o Tawa (Tarawera Road): the second hub, opened in 2020, with parking for more than 400 vehicles. It gives direct access to the higher trails and the Tikitapu section, plus food, bike hire, wash-down and shower facilities
• Redwoods Visitor Centre (Titokorangi Drive): the start of the walking tracks, the place to pick up maps and information, and the start of the Titokorangi Loop above
• Shuttles: shuttles run to high points in the forest if you want to focus on descents (tourism agency mountain biking page)
• Hire and shuttles: hire and shuttle operators are listed on the Redwoods bike hire and shuttles page
• Guides and lessons: first-timers can book a guided ride or a skills session. Operators approved to work in the forest are on the Redwoods approved concessionaires list

The public cannot drive into the forest, so park at one of these three hubs. From town you can also ride there on Te Ara Ahi, a flat cycle path.

Sample plans

• Half day (families riding for the first time): hire bikes at the Waipa car park and ride Beginner and Easy trails such as the Waipa–Dipper Loop, then relax in the hot tubs
• Full day (riders with some experience): start the Forest Loop early at Te Pūtake o Tawa, stop at Waipa for lunch and finish the rest of the loop. The official guide notes that an early start puts you at Waipa around lunchtime
• Two days (intermediate riders): ride the Forest Loop on day one to learn the forest, then take a shuttle up on day two for intermediate descents. The tourism agency highlights Eagle vs Shark on the Te Pūtake o Tawa side
• Pair it with: Rotorua is a geothermal spa town, so a hot pool after riding rounds off the day well

Safety and forest rules

• Helmets: helmets are compulsory by law in New Zealand (NZTA cycling equipment rules), and the Redwoods code also asks for an approved helmet and protective clothing
• Direction and trails: ride in the direction of the arrows and don't cut corners or create new lines. There are separate walking, biking and horse trails, so keep to yours (Redwoods visitor information)
• Giving way: forestry roads are shared with forestry vehicles. Give way to walkers, uphill riders and horses, and slow down and call out when passing
• Gear: carry a map, water, snacks, a waterproof layer, a spare tube and tools, and first aid. The official guide recommends a personal locator beacon (PLB) and a first aid kit
• Phones: coverage is good along most of the loop but can be patchy around Tikitapu. Tell a trusted contact your planned start and finish times. For longer rides, fill in the NZ Mountain Safety Council's Outdoor Intentions Form for them, or send the full plan by text or email
• Emergencies: the forest's First Response Unit is on 0800 WHAKA 1 (0800 942 521). In a serious emergency also call 111
• Weather: the canopy shelters you from sun and wind, but check the MetService forecast before you go. After strong winds there may be fallen trees, so check the Trails Trust notices again

Useful phrases

• Which trails are good for beginners?
• Can I hire a bike and helmet for half a day?
• Is the Forest Loop open today?
• On your left / Rider up

Related reading

• How to choose from New Zealand's 23 Great Rides
• NZ cycling rules: helmets, road riding and bikes on trains
• NZ hot springs: Rotorua, Hanmer and Tekapo
• Riding the Queenstown Trail: between lakes and wineries

Photo credits

• XPinger (Chris Sutton), CC BY-SA 2.0 (원본에서 헬멧 부분 흐림 수정), CC BY-SA 2.0, source — resized and converted to WebP
• Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0, source — resized and converted to WebP