WHAKA WEEKLY 🌲18 June 2026

another week of bluebird winter magic (ignore the showers) in the Whaka and before we get into the mahi, we just want to say something we don't say nearly enough.

this forest is something pretty special. not because of any one thing – its the sum of all the parts eh, the trails, the trees, the birds and the dirt, the people and the moments. the kid on the balance bike having the time of their life. the adaptive MTB rider absolutely sending it. it's all the dogs and their owners living their best life. the hikers training for a big adventure with weighted backpacks on. the runners out there exploring. the retired couple doing the Forest Loop for the hundredth time like it's the first. the traveller who saved up to fly here from the other side of the world just to experience this magic.

no matter who you are and how you enjoy the forest, to everyone who rides here, walks here, volunteers here, donates here, adopts a trail here, or just sits on a log in the trees and breathes for a minute – chur from all of us. 🙏

oh and just so you know.... if you've come from somewhere else to be here – welcome. you're not a visitor. you're one of us the moment you arrive 🌍🌲

🔨 BEHIND THE SCENES – THE BUILD CREW IS GOING HARD

we're not going to say too much here because some things are better experienced as a surprise. after all you only get one chance as a first impression and we want to wait till everything is purrrrfect 👀

what we WILL say is that the RTT crew has been absolutely flat out this week getting trails back into condition, doing serious build work, and quietly making things happen that are going to make a lot of people very happy. the diggers have been running. the hand builders have been in. the trail inspectors have been walking every corner of the network assessing what needs what.

good things are coming. that's all we'll say. watch this space 🌲🔥

🐝 OLD CHEVY WORKING BEE – SUNDAY LEGENDS

the volunteers showed up on Sunday and gave Old Chevy an absolute seeing to – vegetation cleared, drains sorted, blown top to bottom. proper love from people who had better things to do with their Sunday and chose the forest instead.

Old Chevy is riding beautifully right now. go find it. give it a lap. and when it feels smooth and clear and just right – know that a crew of legends made that happen on their day off because they care 💚

chur to every single one of you 🤙

THE MAHI THIS WEEK 🌲

THE GREAT TRAIL INSPECTION 🔍

the crew has been systematically walking and inspecting trails right across the network this week – Tūkonohi, Whāki Grade, Pest Control, Old Chevy, Roller Coaster, Chestnut Link, G Rock, Te Ahi Manawa, Yellow Brick Road, Time Warp, Tihi o Tawa, Dammit Janet, Mad If You Don't, Split Enz, Hot X Buns, Out of Office, NGT, Challenge Uphill, Kung Fu Walrus, Bush Buchanan Trail, Forest Loop sections, Jeff's Link and more.

that's basically a full network walkthrough. every corner assessed. every issue noted. every priority locked in. this is the invisible work that smart trail management is built on – know what needs attention before it becomes a problem, not after. prioritise what we can do with the funding we have and go for the 20% that will give the 80% of the result for best bang for buck. yeah we miss some stuff, point anywhere and you'll find something we can fix up, but hey, we are doing our best with what we are super gratefully to get and will never ever quit! 🙌

G ROCK 🪨💨

G Rock got blowing and vegetation clearance across Monday and Tuesday. G Rock is absolutely dialled in right now – grippy, clear, flowing perfectly. go ride it this weekend and appreciate every shaped corner 🙌

ROLLER COASTER 🎢

Roller Coaster got blown and had some surface repairs done this week to get it running mint. smooth, fast, and running a treat. vital link track so has to be on point🤙

FOREST LOOP – TANGAROA-MIHI 🌲💧

Tangaroa-mihi got multiple sessions of vegetation, drains, and blowing this week. Do it once and do it right we say! if you have seen the lad out there doing the mahi with his cute little trolly of tools, make sure to say thanks for the mahi cos he has nearly broken himself doing the hard work. absolute legend. we love ya buddy! 🌲

WHĀKI 🌿

Whāki got tree cleared up and also got blown ready for the weekend laps. Whāki is clear and flowing and ready for whatever pace you want to take it at. Pro tip: Apumoana into mahana into whaki = grade 3 ultimate lap bliss 🤙

AS YOU DO ✌️

Trees keep falling down on this poor track but we have got em all cleared up and the volly is doing a great job keeping it tickled up and riding/walking lovely. Some propper grade 4 uphill sections on this one eh, enjoy the tech, enjoy the hard mahi getting to the top and enjoy the earned turns on the way back down your fav track! (not this one though...its uphill only for bikes, two way for walking)

MAD IF YOU DON'T 🤪

Mad If You Don't got tree cleared on Thursday. the name says it all. no further explanation needed. go.

CHALLENGE BLOCK – DH, ROADSIDE, UPHILL, EXIT & DOWN THE GUTS 💪

the whole Challenge block got blown last Friday – Challenge DH, Roadside, Uphill, Exit, and Down The Guts all sorted in one sweep. AND Challenge Roadside got a serious surface repair session on Sunday from the incredible trail adopter. this whole section is in some of the best condition it's been in for a long time. go explore the full block this weekend!

BOULDERDASH & DIPPER & TAHI & KID'S LOOP 💨

all blown on Friday as part of a big blowing sweep. Boulderdash, Dipper, Tahi, and the Kid's Loop all fresh, clear, and ready. the Kid's Loop in particular is perfect right now – if introducing someone brand new to riding a bike (doesnt matter what age, dont let the name put you off!) this is the place to start 🧡

SPLIT ENZ 🎸

Split Enz has one of the most active trail adopters in the forest. hard working. always up there (even in the rain checking on the drains) passionate, effective, legend. and as a result it's one of the most satisfying trails in the network and right now it's running like a dream. go ride it!

PEST CONTROL 💨

blown on Wednesday. clear, fresh, ready. a massive step up from Whaki, so 100% grade 4 riders only, but really great track and fun way to get back to Apumoana to go for another lap. well worth sussing this one out eh🤙

TE POU KOROPŪ 🌲💨

blown on Monday. this section of the network always rewards those who seek it out. go find it. bassically like the dipper/kids loop of the Tawa side the forest.

🌲 CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

one thing we want to shout about this week – because it's something we kinda take for granted and dont think about – there is no single right way to experience this forest.

yes there are incredible full loops. yes the Forest Loop is one of New Zealand's Great Rides. but you don't have to do the whole thing. you don't have to follow any prescribed route. you can mix and match, pick trails that suit the mood, turn around when it feels right, find a sunny spot in the trees and have a picnic. explore hidden nooks. walk a bit of this track and a bit of that one to get the # steps you want.

the forest has some absolutely incredible spots to stop, breathe, and just be. that clearing where the light comes through. that ridge with the view over the city. that mossy bank next to the stream. find yours. sit in it. eat your lunch in it. it's one of the best things this place has to offer and it costs absolutely nothing.

just one thing – carry in, carry out. the forest doesn't want your rubbish. it is pristine because people treat it with respect. keep it that way 🙏

and whoever you are – on foot, on horseback, on a gravel bike, an ebike, a cross country rig, an enduro sled, or a full DH machine – it's all here. it's all free. it's all waiting.

look after it and it will look after you.

aroha nui,

– the crew at rotorua trails trust 🌲

👉 www.rotoruatrailstrust.co.nz – donate, adopt a trail, or just leave a kind word and share this post.

every action counts.