WHAKA WEEKLY 🌲16 October 2026

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Kia ora whānau!!

Spring is being very spring like, deliverying summer vibes one day, heavy rain the next, lucky for us we love it all! The Secondary School DH Race is in the rear view. Aramex Trek the Forest THIS WEEKEND. And the Whaka 100 – eight sleeps away. Let's get into it 🤙

🏆 SECONDARY SCHOOL DH RACE – WHAT A DAY!! 🏆

Last weekend's Secondary School DH Race on Taniwha DH was something really, really special.

The vibe out there was electric....and dusty....very very dusty..... Young riders, smaller than their bikes, were absolutely sending it down Taniwha with massive smiles on their faces, covered head to toe in dust and parents and mates going absolutely feral on the sideline, and the whole forest just buzzing with that particular kind of energy you only get when the next generation is out there doing their thing. It was rad to see so many people in the forest having a genuinely great time – this is exactly why we do what we do.

Massive shout out to all the crew, from the trail builders, to the shuttle drivers and the parents for making this event happen. Running a proper race takes a LOT of behind-the-scenes mahi and you absolute legends made it look effortless. The smiles on those riders' faces are on you. Chur 🙌

Taniwha DH was the perfect venue for it – fast, technical, unforgiving in all the right ways. If you haven't ridden it yet, get on it. It's a proper training ground for what you are seeing internationally: bike park berms, gaps and doubles, stuff to pump for speed and STEEP TECH to pucker up on. hit it.

🚶 ARAMEX TREK THE FOREST – THIS SATURDAY!! 🌲

Okay people, listen up – because this Saturday is the Aramex Trek the Forest and we want EVERYONE out there.

📅 Saturday 17 October, 9:00am 📍 Blue Lake / Lake Tikitapu

Three distance options so no excuses:

5.5km – short and sweet, perfect for the whole whānau

13.7km – the solid middle ground

15.6km – for those who want to properly earn their post-walk feed

The course weaves around the beautiful Lake Tikitapu and into the Whakarewarewa Forest – and if you haven't experienced this part of the forest on foot lately, you are in for an absolute treat. It is stunning right now. Like, genuinely stunning.

The RTT crew has been out checking every metre of these trails and they are absolutely pristine heading into the weekend. Clear, safe, and looking their absolute best for everyone who turns up on Saturday. You're going to love it.

Whether you're a regular forest warrior or bringing the whole family out for the first time – come along, get your steps in, breathe the most incredible air, and be part of something really lovely. See you out there! 🌿

👉 Check out aramex.co.nz for registrations and details.

⏰ WHAKA 100 COUNTDOWN – 8 DAYS!! ⏰

EIGHT. DAYS.

The Whaka 100 is almost HERE people. 24–26 October. Labour Weekend. And if you haven't sorted your entry yet – now is the time because this thing is selling out fast.

Three days of mountain biking across the most iconic trail network in New Zealand (the world, let's be honest). The Whaka 100 is one of those events that you just have to experience at least once in your life – and if you've done it before, you already know exactly why you're coming back.

The trails are in PRIME spring condition right now. Like, peak. Everything is running beautifully, the surfaces are firm, the forest is lush and green, and Labour Weekend is shaping up to be an absolute ripper weather-wise. This is going to be a very, very good time.

If you are not in the event there is still lots to see and do with a festival vibe, so check their site for all the info, and check the map in the pics of this post. If its too hecktic for you, head over to the Te Pūtake o Tawa Carpark for chiller vibes.

If you're coming – we'll see you out there. If you're still on the fence – get off it. Eight days. Labour Weekend. The Whaka. Enough said 🤙

👉 whaka100.co.nz – go lock it in.

🌱 THE TRAILS RIGHT NOW 🌱

Spring has well and truly arrived in the Whakarewarewa and the forest is loving it.

Everything is clear, everything is flowing, and the RTT crew has been out all week making sure the whole network is in perfect shape for the big weekends coming up.

Whether you're walking, running, or riding – get out there this weekend and enjoy every single metre of it. The forest is putting on a show and you deserve to be part of it.

See you out there whānau 🌲

Aroha nui, – The crew at Rotorua Trails Trust 🌲

👉 www.rotoruatrailstrust.co.nz – support the mahi that keeps this place world class.