WHAKA WEEKLY 🌲26 March 2026

Kia ora whānau! What a week of mahi it's been out there. The crew has been absolutely flat out across the whole network and the results are showing – the trails are in brilliant shape heading into what promises to be a big, event-filled week in the forest.

BUT – and this is a big but (and i can not lie) – we need to lead with something important this week. There is a serious weather warning in place at the moment and we need everyone to be across it before heading out.

⚠️ WEATHER WARNING – PLEASE READ ⚠️

MetService has issued a Heavy Rain Warning – Orange for the Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane.

Period: 40 hours from 9am Thursday 26th March through to 1am Saturday 28th March Forecast: 180 to 230mm of rain. Peak rates of 15–20mm/h, rising to 25–40mm/h from early Friday morning. There is a high chance this upgrades to a Red Warning.

The forest is always open – we're not here to tell you what to do. But we are here to remind you that wind and rain means trees fall down.

Please use your common sense out there. If it's howling and pouring, maybe sit this one out. If you do go out, stay alert, keep your eyes and ears open for anything coming down, and report anything sketchy to us via the website or trailforks. We'll be out doing damage assessment as soon as things clear and will keep you posted.

Stay safe whānau. The trails will still be there when it clears up 🙏

🚵 SHIMANO VOLCANIC EPIC – IN OUR FOREST RIGHT NOW! 🌋

If you've been out in the Whaka this week and noticed some seriously fit-looking riders absolutely hammering through the trails training for this event, shout out to Sid and Mackey, welcome to Rotorua! Hope you love NZ and the trails as much as you do!

Running 25–29 March, the Volcanic Epic is a five-day mountain bike stage race across the geothermal wonders of the North Island – Taupo, Rotorua and Tokoroa, and Stage 5 – the Queen Stage – brings riders deep into the Whakarewarewa trail network for 50km of everything that makes Rotorua world-famous for mountain biking. From steaming geothermal valleys to dense native forest, fast flowing singletrack and punchy climbs, it finishes across the wild volcanic terrain of the Sulphur Flats. How good is that?

It's not just a race – it's an adventure. After each morning stage, riders enjoy finish line vibes of burgers, beats and beers, exploring local sights and flavours while resting their legs. These are our kind of people.

If you're heading out and the trails feel a bit busier than usual this weekend – no dramas, just be a good sport about it, share the trail with a smile, maybe duck onto a different track for a bit and let the racers do their thing. They've travelled from all over the world to ride what we ride every week and they deserve a great experience.

And here's something worth knowing – events like the Volcanic Epic don't just bring stoke and energy to the forest, they actively give back. The Volcanic Epic donates directly to RTT to help event prep and with trail recovery afterwards. So when the trails get a bit boggy after a big event – it's not all bad news. The recovery funding comes with it, and the crew gets straight onto it. It's a partnership that works and we're proud to be part of it.

Cheer them on if you see them out there! These legends are absolutely earning their burgers and beers 🍔🍺

TRIG TO MUDPOOL ROAD – Walking & Horse Trail Rebuild 🐴🚶

This one deserves a big mention. The crew have put some serious work into the Trig to Mudpool Road walking and horse trail this week – blowing, vegetation, and multiple days of digger and hand build work to really transform this corridor. What was already a lovely walking and horse trail has been genuinely elevated. The timing is perfect heading into what should be some beautiful autumn walking weather. Whether you're on two legs or four hooves, get out there and feel the difference!

NO BRAINS WORKING BEE – Another One!! 🐝

ANOTHER working bee on No Brains on Sunday – 24 volunteer hours of pure community love poured into this trail. This is the second working bee on No Brains in recent weeks and the transformation is something to behold. Volunteers giving up their Sundays, getting sweaty and muddy, making the forest better for everyone. You absolute legends. This community is something else. Aroha nui 💚

SOAKHOLE CLIMB – Vegetation 🌿

Soakhole Climb got a massive vegetation hit on Friday – a big session that's opened the trail right up. Soakhole Climb is such a satisfying trail when it's clear and flowing and the crew made absolutely sure it is. Get up there!

OLD EXIT – Vegetation ✂️

Old Exit got a solid vegetation clearance on Saturday from the trail adopter. This trail is a handy part of the network and keeping it clear keeps the whole flow of a ride in that area singing. Cheers team!

TAURA – Adopter Aroha 💚

The Taura adopter was out on Saturday doing vegetation clearance – quietly keeping one of the most beloved trails in the network in mint condition. Taura is such a special trail and it's in great hands. Chur to our legend adopter for the ongoing dedication!

OUT OF OFFICE – Blowing & Surface Repairs 💨

Out of Office got a blowing and surface repair session on Tuesday. There's something very fitting about a trail called Out of Office getting attention mid-week. The crew were definitely not out of office – they were very much on it. The trail is fresh, clear and ready for your next escape from the desk 😄

MAHANA – Blowing 🌬️

Mahana got a blow on Tuesday – crisp, clear and ready to roll. Mahana is a beautiful trail and the crew made sure it's in top nick. Treat yourself to a lap or two this week!

TŪKONOHI – Blowing & Vegetation 🌿

Tūkonohi got blowing and vegetation clearance on Tuesday – this trail is well worth seeking out and it's riding beautifully right now. Go explore!

SIDEWINDER – Blowing 🌬️

Sidewinder got a quick blow on Tuesday to keep it clear and fresh. Every trail in the network deserves love and Sidewinder is no exception. Seek it out!

DAMMIT JANET – Surface Repairs 🔧

Dammit Janet got a thorough surface repair session on Friday. The crew have been putting real work into Janet this month and it's paying off – this trail is riding better than ever. After battling through all that Pampas grass a few weeks back, the crew deserved an easier win – and this surface work delivered it nicely!

FEEDER CONNECTOR– Tree Clearing 🌳

Feeder Connector got a massive tree clearing job on Monday – health and safety front of mind as always. Big trees, quick reporting, quick response. That's the system working exactly as it should. Cheers to the legends who spotted it and let us know!

CORNERS – RADIUS OF THE LOST ARCS – Blowing 💨

Corners got a blow on Wednesday – following on from recent surface repair work by the adopter, the trail is now completely dialled in and riding beautifully. One of the most satisfying trails in the network when it's on song. Go find out!

SPLIT ENZ – Blowing & Drains 🎸💧

Split Enz got blowing and drain work on Wednesday – keeping the water moving and the trail clear. Great name, great trail, great work. Enough said!

TE AHI MANAWA – Blowing, Drains & Vegetation 🔥

Te Ahi Manawa got the full trio on Wednesday – blowing, drains and vegetation. Three task types in one session means this trail is absolutely comprehensively sorted. Te Ahi Manawa is glowing right now. Go feel the fire 🔥

TIME WARP – Blowing ⏰

Time Warp got a blow on Wednesday. If you ride it fast enough, does time actually warp? Only one way to find out. The trail is clean and clear – go do your own experiment 😄

FOREST LOOP – Te Ara A Whero & Te Pou Koropū – Blowing, Drains & Vegetation 🌲

Two sections of the beloved Forest Loop got attention on this past week – Te Ara A Whero with blowing, drains and vege, and a big blowing and vegetation session on Te Pou Koropū. The Forest Loop is one of the most visited trails in the whole network and keeping it in pristine condition is something we take really seriously. It's absolutely mint right now and we hope you get out there and enjoy it this weekend if the weather behaves!

BE RUDE NOT TO – Blowing & Vegetation 🤙

And to wrap up the week – Be Rude Not To got blowing and vegetation clearance. And honestly, with the trail in this kind of condition? It really would be rude not to. Get out there!

THANK YOU 💚

With a weather warning on the horizon that'll need a response next week, we need your help more than ever! I costs a lot to clear windfall, money that we would rather spend on maintaining and improving thej existing network. If you can, a $5 donation after a ride, or after a big weather event is a great way to support the trails.

This trust runs on community. Your rides, your donations, your volunteer hours, your trail adoptions – all of it keeps the machine running. If you've been meaning to chip in, now's a great time. The crew is going to have work to do after this rain clears and every bit helps.

👉 www.rotoruatrailstrust.co.nz – 3 clicks, any amount, massive difference.

Stay safe in the weather, look after each other out there, and we'll see you on the other side of this front with a full damage report and a plan to get things back to mint as fast as possible.

Aroha nui, – The crew at Rotorua Trails Trust 🌲