Great Lake trails – Taupo

Ok here is something to look forward to with a bit of lead time:

Great Lake trails – Taupo

The Great Lake trails in Taupo are hands down some of the best and most scenic mountain biking you can do on the North Island. The trails are built by people who bike and while they are not flat as such – there is less climbing than our average weekend ride in Wellington. The scenery is amazing. And there is a boat ride across the lake included.
Additionally on the way home, since it is on the way, I will stop off in Ohakune to also ride the Old Coach Road

I have scheduled these 3 days of epic riding for the weekend after Easter to avoid crowds, traffic and Easter pricing. This does involve taking some leave but well worth it in my books.

My high-level plan is as follows:
Friday 10 April: Drive up to Taupo
Saturday 11 April: shuttle to Waihaha stream – ride Great Lake Trails - Waihaha Trail (26.6km 587m) – boat ride back to Kinloch
Sunday 12 April: ride the loop from Kinlock (Otaketake – Orakau – K2K - 28km 560m)
Afternoon option - W2K (and headland loop) (13/21km 347/600m)
Monday 13 April: morning drive to Ohakune (2h) – afternoon Te Hangaruru (9.2 km downhill) – Old Coach Road (11.6km 156m) - possibly check out Te Ara Mangawhero Track (phase 1) (13km return 203m)
Tuesday 14 April: drive home

Accommodation:
I am not brave enough to try and arrange accommodation for everybody, so you need to sort yourself out for a place to stay in Taupo and Ohakune. But hey - it is Taupo – there is options for every taste and budget. Obviously the closer you are to Kinloch the less driving involved. (Kinloch is 20 min drive from Taupo)

What equipment will I need?

• A sense of adventure and a moderate level of fitness and skill - the tracks are all intermediate so nothing technical (see picture above - I did it with my son when he was 10) Click the links in the description above for more details on the tracks.
• A well-maintained mountain bike with MTB tyres
• Helmet
• Bike gloves
• Spare tube, tube repair kit, pump and basic bike tools
• First aid kit
• Water and snacks
• A light wind/rainproof jacket
• Warm clothing.
• Emergency Contact Card

Anything I need to be aware of?
We ride as a group, as fast as the slowest rider with frequent stops to admire the views (:o)
We can save NZ$20 each if we book the shuttle and boat as a group.

Where will we meet?
These details will come closer to the time.

Have questions?
Andreas 027 699 4221 or comment on the page