Hatupatu Trail
Tramping track
Distance:
1 km
Getting there
DOC assisting MTB club with clearing
old windfalls during trail construction
Head south on State Highway 5 from Rotorua city. 1km from the city limit on the left you'll find the Waipa Mill, the entrance to the Whakarewarewa Forest. From the Waipa Mill carpark, ride up the Waipa State Mill Rd which will turn into Hill Rd.
Follow this for 5.5km until Moerangi Rd appears on your right, 1km on this and turn left onto Tawa Rd after 2.5km you'll be at the highest point in the forest and the start of the Tuhoto Ariki Trail.
Continue down the Tuhoto Ariki trail for 3km and on the right is the entrance to Hatupatu.
About the area
Whakarewarewa Forest Conservation Park holds mountain bike tracks that network in with the other tracks of the Whakarewarewa Forest.
Description
Club members working on trail
construction
Hatupatu is an alternative end to the Tuhoto Ariki Trail bringing you back towards the main network of trails in the Whakarewarewa Forest. Built by the Rotorua Mountain Bike club as a dual use trail and named with respect to the warrior who hunted in this area made famous through legend.
Hatupatu is a tramping grade track or grade 5 on the mountain bike trail standards used in the rest of the forest.
Running through mature forest containing, tawa, mahoe, five finger with mistletoe and juvenile rata. The surroundings means that Hatupatu provides an experience unlike other trails in the area. The trail is generally undulating but descends a total of 160m over its 1km distance. The grading comes from the off camber benching and roots not the steepness of the descent. A challenging ride for those who like technical trails.
Activities
Mountain biking
This is a grade 5 mountain bike trail.
Mountain bike track grading system
Plan and prepare
You need to be well prepared when tramping on conservation land, especially on the longer day walks. Ensure you have strong, comfortable boots, warm clothing, a good raincoat, first aid kit, food and drink, a hat and sunscreen. It is also advisable to leave your tramping intentions with a responsible person.
What to expect on a tramping track:
- Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
- Track is mostly unformed with steep, rough or muddy sections
- Suitable for people with good fitness. Moderate to high level backcountry skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required
- Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings
- Tramping/hiking boots required
Responsible mountain biking:
Mountain biking has dangers, proceed at your own risk and ride within your ability.
- Wear an approved cycle helmet and protective clothing.
- Stay on the designated mountain bike track or roads - do not take short cuts.
- Take out what you bring in - do not litter.
- Beware of vehicles when using the roads. Standard NZ road rules apply - keep to the left and give way when appropriate.
- Do not build new tracks or modify existing tracks.
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