BUILD TRAILS

TRAIL BUILDERS IN WHAKA FOREST

Both professional and volunteer Trail Builders from around New Zealand have come to Whaka Forest to build trails in the incredible and unique "hero dirt". Here are some of the recent Trail Builders and their projects.

To learn more about the trail building process, become a trail adopter, volunteer at a working bee or view.

ROTORUA TRAILS TRUST BUILD TEAM

Utilizing a full time crew of Trail Builders and contractors, Rotorua Trails Trust engages with a network of talent from around NZ to build and restore trails throughout the forest.

This ranges from assisting volunteer crews, (NGT, ULTRA ROSA, NO BRIANS, MAIDEN VOYAGE) managing external contractors (SOTRM TROOPER, HUCKLE BERRY, RIFF RAFF, CORNERS) or employing the incredible talents of our inhouse build team. (DIPPER, CORNERS PART 2, TANGAROHAMIHI, APUMOANA, MOHANA, SOAKHOLE)

Rotorua Trails Trust understands trail buildings importance, not just as individual trails, but as a world class trail network.

EMPIRE OF DIRT

After gaining years of trail-building experience both locally and abroad, Empire of Dirt’s directors Adam King and Chris Martin formally established the company in 2013 and have since brought their refined trail-building skills to the New Zealand mountain biking scene.

They have created a number of trails in Rotorua, including:

Stormtrooper

Huckleberry Hound

Te Kōtukutuku

Kataore

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VELO SOLUTIONS

The one and only builders of UCI world Cup Pump Tracks have built the best one in the Mountain Bike Capital of New Zealand, Rotorua!

Waipa Pump Track

THE BRAINS TRUST

The is no Volly Group as talented and dedicated as The Brains Trust. The first volunteer trail builders to fully embrace the strict quality guidelines that professional trail builders must adhere to. We're talking corner radius, clinometers, perfect drainage and a commitment to long term maintenance. Add to that they have been building for decades and really know how to ride a bike! That is why their trails get cult like followings!

No Brains

ROTORUA MOUNTIAN BIKE CLUB

The Rotorua Mountian Bike Clubs Decend group are the branch of the club that does all the DH Stuff. Like build DH trails good enough from the top riders in the world to come train on.

Tanhiwha Downhill

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TRAIL BUILD LAW

BUILDING TRAILS IN WHAKA FOREST.

Any unauthorized trail building and trail work in the Whakarewarewa Forest will result in trespass from the forest and potential prosecution.

If you’re handy with a trail building tool, we understand you may want to get involved with trail development. However, there is a process and you can’t just start turning the dirt as it’s iwi-owned land. Read on for the appropriate process and how you can volunteer to get involved.

Some trail building history:

Part of why the Rotorua MTB Club was originally formed in 1993 and why the Rotorua Trails Trust exists today, is to facilitate building trails with full iwi landowner consent and a long-term strategy for keeping the trails open and maintained to the correct standard.

Here is an overview of the forest ownership and management structure, as well as the official process for pitching new trail ideas. We’d love keen trail builders to get involved on Rotorua Trails Trust Volunteer Dig Days too.

Please note: illegal trail building will result in trespass from the forest and potential prosecution.

How trails are approved and built

Please follow this process to submit ideas for new trails:

The Rotorua Trails Trust collates new trail ideas and concepts from the community. Please submit any ideas you have by emailing info@rotoruatrailstrust.co.nz
Once per year, new trail plans are presented for consideration to the Whakarewarewa and Titokorangi Forest Recreation Committee (made up of Central North Island Iwi Holdings Limited, Mana whenua, Timberlands Limited & Rotorua Lakes Council) to apply for formal consent.
The Whakarewarewa and Titokorangi Forest Recreation Committee makes its consideration on whether a new trail idea is approved based on factors including cultural values/impact, safety and environmental effect.
After a new trail concept is approved, Timberlands works closely with stakeholders and trail building contractors to ensure that new trail construction does not harm the standing tree crop. This includes selecting appropriate trees for removal, education on pruning and root health, and assistance with mapping for trail alignment.
Trail building begins.

To be clear, the Rotorua MTB Club, Mountain Bike Rotorua, the Rotorua Trails Trust and Descend DO NOT have any authority to approve or sanction trails in the Whakarewarewa Forest.

There are NO grey areas.

No trail building or trail alterations are permitted without going through the formal process outlined above.

If you wish to discuss this further or have any questions please contact the Rotorua Trails Trust or the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club for more information.

COMMUNITY