Last updated October 2026
If you are heading into Whakarewarewa Forest on a mountain bike, the Waipā Mountain Bike Hub is the forest’s main access point for mountain bikers, RotoruaNZ says, on Waipa State Mill Road off State Highway 5.
Ngā Haerenga lists toilets, showers, bike hire, wash-down stations, food and drink, tour guides and a beer garden with hot tubs, and it is one of the two recommended starts for the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop, graded 2 to 3.
The Kids’ Loop, which RotoruaNZ calls the forest’s easiest trail, begins just across the bridge from the car park, and Ngā Haerenga describes the Waipa to Dipper Loop as a good beginner or kids’ loop.
Te Ara Ahi, the Great Ride that starts at Government Gardens in the city, runs beside State Highway 5 towards Waipā as a flat, wide concrete path.
Practical Information
- Location
- Waipa State Mill Road, off State Highway 5, Whakarewarewa Forest
- Getting there by bike
- Te Ara Ahi, which starts at Queens Drive in Government Gardens (council guide); the section beside State Highway 5 is a flat, wide, smooth concrete path (Ngā Haerenga)
- Facilities
- Toilets (including an accessible toilet), showers, bike hire, wash-down stations, food and drink, tour guiding, beer garden with hot tubs
- Beginner trails
- Kids’ Loop and Tahi from the car park; Creek and Dipper reached from Tahi
- Waipa to Dipper Loop
- 5 to 6.5 km, grade 2 (easy), 2 to 3 hours
- Forest Loop
- Starts or finishes here; Waipa car park to Te Pūtake o Tawa is 10.5 km, grade 2
- Access
- Free entry to Whakarewarewa Forest and its tracks
- Trails maintained by
- Rotorua Trails Trust
- Status
- Check the Rotorua Trails Trust closures page for current felling closures before you ride
About Waipā Mountain Bike Hub
New facilities and forest access were built at the Waipā entrance in 2014, and RotoruaNZ lists bike rental, coffee and lunch, and a hot pool soak along the forest edge; Ngā Haerenga adds tour guiding and wash-down stations.
From the car park a bridge leads into the forest, and the Kids’ Loop starts immediately to the right of it. Waipā is also a start for the 36 km Whakarewarewa Forest Loop; the leg from the Waipa car park to Te Pūtake o Tawa is 10.5 km at grade 2 and takes one to two hours.
It is also a hub you can reach without a car. Te Ara Ahi, the 48 km Ngā Haerenga Great Ride, starts at Queens Drive in Government Gardens, and its section beside State Highway 5 back towards Waipā is flat, wide and smooth. Rotorua Lakes Council says entry to the forest and its tracks is free.
Waipā Beginner Trails
The easiest riding in the forest is right at Waipā. RotoruaNZ suggests riding and re-riding the Kids’ Loop until you feel ready for the other grade 1 and 2 trails, such as Tahi, Creek and Dipper. Ngā Haerenga also lists a Waipa to Dipper Loop, a grade 2 ride of 5 to 6.5 km that takes two to three hours.
Kids’ Loop
Cross the bridge from the car park and turn immediately right. This one-way loop has easy straights, gentle undulations, curves and corners, and RotoruaNZ says adults ride it too, from first-timers to riders building their confidence.
Tahi
Tahi, meaning “one”, also starts from the car park. It is a one-way, mellow rolling trail that RotoruaNZ recommends for practising gear changes, braking and cornering.
Creek
Reached from Tahi and named after the little river it follows, Creek is one-way and fairly flat. Short sections ramp up to grade 3, including a couple of chutes, but bypasses around them make it more family friendly.
Dipper
One of the forest’s original trails, Dipper is reached from Tahi or Creek. It is one-way and mostly flat with good berms, and wide enough to pass slower riders once you have a flow going.
Where to Learn More
Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails: Whakarewarewa Forest Loop: hub facilities, the Forest Loop and day rides from Waipā.
RotoruaNZ: Family-friendly mountain biking trails: descriptions of the Kids’ Loop, Tahi, Creek and Dipper.
Rotorua Trails Trust: Trail closures: check current felling closures before you ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Waipā Mountain Bike Hub?
On Waipa State Mill Road, off State Highway 5, at the forest entrance.
Can I hire a bike there?
Yes. Ngā Haerenga lists bike hire at the hub, along with tour guiding.
Are there toilets and showers?
Yes, including an accessible toilet, plus wash-down stations for bikes.
What is the easiest trail at Waipā?
The Kids’ Loop, which RotoruaNZ calls the easiest trail in the forest. It starts just over the bridge from the car park.
Can I ride there from town?
Yes. Te Ara Ahi starts at Government Gardens, and its section beside State Highway 5 towards Waipā is a flat, wide concrete path.
Can I start the Forest Loop here?
Yes. Waipā is one of the two recommended starts for the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop.
Does it cost anything to ride?
No. Entry to Whakarewarewa Forest and its tracks is free, though Rotorua Trails Trust welcomes donations.
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