The beautiful untouched wilderness across New Zealand provides the perfect spot for Mountain Biking and Cycling. Whether you are a thrill seeker looking to get out on a track and ride the bumps and turns of a Mountain Bike track or are looking for a scenic flat cycle route then there is something for everyone.

The North-Central region of the North Island is the Mountain biking capital. Rotorua, Taupo and Ruapehu are filled with exhilarating mountain bike tracks and companies that will show you the way.

In Rotorua, there are a number of mountain biking tracks that range from beginner to experienced. The Whakarewarewa Forest (Redwoods) is one of the oldest mountain bike networks in the country. It has master crafted trails, unbeatable riding surfaces, well draining volcanic soils and fantastic scenery. It is no wonder Rotorua is renowned among mountain bikers as a premier riding destination. With around 130km of trails, there is something for all levels of rider.
Mountain Bike Park at Skyline Rotorua is New Zealand’s first all-season gondola assisted bike lift park, accessing world-class downhill mountain biking. It gives riders easy access to a 12 kilometre trail network featuring trails with varying terrain for all ability levels.

Down the road, Taupo Great Lake Trail is a journey of volcanic discovery through lush native forest, past sparkling waterfalls, over deep gorges and down to the crystal-clear waters of Lake Taupo. Ride all the sections of these flowing, purpose-built mountain bike trails in one epic day or make it a multi-day mountain biking adventure.

In Ruapehu, The Timber Trail, venture deep into Pureora Forest Park on a cycle trail featuring ancient forest, birdlife, graceful suspension bridges and intriguing timber industry relics. The Mountains to Sea trail goes from Ohakune to Whanganui. See the best of two national parks, rolling hill country and remote river gorges by bike before reaching the blue Tasman Sea.

If you are looking for tour companies that take you on a Mountain Bike trail, then Mountain Bike Rotorua provides a range of mountain bike tours for different experience levels.

Lake Districts Adventures provide a range of tour options. The Waikato River  Trail offers great views and spectacular flora and fauna and is over 100km long. Offering a 7 day long tour on the Hauraki Rail Trail, this package is well suited to those wanting to get off the beaten track. This adventure is suitable for all riders from beginners to those with a moderate fitness level.

In Taupo, Chris Jolly Outdoors offer half-day or full-day biking packages with a variety of different cycling experiences on offer. For families, there are plenty of grade 1 and 2 options such as the Great Lake Walkway where on a clear day you can see the mountains across the lake and even enjoy a quick swim. Then at the other end of the scale, we have the Craters of the Moon  mountain bike park which features over 60 tracks including some technical grade 5 stuff for the more adventurous .

Tongariro River Rafting have a range of different mountain biking options available, whether you are after a guided trip, a mountain bike shuttle or freedom bike hire. The Tongariro River track is a great trail for beginners or children. It follows this world famous trout river past rolling farmland, beach forests and fern glades with spectacular views at almost every bend.

If you are after more of a relaxed cycle, there are some awesome scenic cycling tracks around the North Island. Around Mission Bay in Auckland, the pathway provides beautiful views and a flat path. Easy for kids. In Wellington, you can cycle along the downtown waterfront area, ride the flat track around the Bay at Petone, or cruise along one of the Hutt River trails. These are easily accessed by train!

With so many options for Mountain Biking or casual cycling, there is different adventures for different levels of experience all over the North Island.