Great Lake Trail Lake Taupo 2-Day Mountain Biking Tour
Overview
Western Bay Scenic 2 Day Mountain Biking Tour
Ride the Great Lake Trail on this 2-day Grade 3 mountain biking tour, a perfect way to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Great Lake Taupo region. You will be biking the 19.5 km Kawakawa section (Orakau & K2K) on Day 1 and the 21km W2K section on Day 2. The Great Lake Trail is one of the most popular trails of the New Zealand Cycle Trail network. You will be riding along undulating pumice trails through native forest and wetlands, where the landscape unfolds to reveal stunning views across the water to the majestic volcanic mountains of the Tongariro National Park. Dramatic scenery combines with serene lake views, powerful waterfalls, native bird song and incredible trail quality to deliver an unforgettable experience.
Ride the Great Lake Trail on this 2-day Grade 3 mountain biking tour, a perfect way to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Great Lake Taupo region. You will be biking the 19.5 km Kawakawa section (Orakau & K2K) on Day 1 and the 21km W2K section on Day 2. The Great Lake Trail is one of the most popular trails of the New Zealand Cycle Trail network. You will be riding along undulating pumice trails through native forest and wetlands, where the landscape unfolds to reveal stunning views across the water to the majestic volcanic mountains of the Tongariro National Park. Dramatic scenery combines with serene lake views, powerful waterfalls, native bird song and incredible trail quality to deliver an unforgettable experience.
Inclusions
- Bike Hire & Transport Package only
- Fully Guided Package including Transport to and from Trails
- Professional guide - on tours
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- DOC (Department of Conservation) Concession Fee
- Transport to starting Point: On request only (if you don't have your own car) Call to arrange.
- Gear List: Please refer to our Gear list tab on our website for what to wear and bring.
What to expect
Itinerary
Day 1: Orakau and K2K (Kawakawa Bay to Kinloch) Grade 3 Distance 19km – Approx 2.5-3 hours
Stop At: Great Lake Trail, Taupo 3351 New Zealand
Mountain biking is a great way to experience the particular scenery from the Great Lake trail. Where else in the world do you ride all year round (pumice) tracks with extensive views of the lake & mountains, and could see people Rock climbing.
Start at Whangamata road car park, and finish in Kinloch.
On this Ride you will follow the trail down Orakau stream and through flax wetlands, native bush to Kawakawa Bay (beautiful bay on lake edge) – along the way see Tongariro national park. From Kawakawa bay start steadily climbing rough native bush to headland which provides great views over Lake Taupo, at headland you will start descending back down into Kinloch.
Some good climbs but short, less challenging for less experienced and less fit riders.
If you prefer to just ride the Orakau leg, you can opt to have a boat transfer back to Kinloch. Additional boat transfer charge will apply.
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: W2K and headloop (Kinloch to Whakaipo Bay) Grade 3 Distance 22.2km – Approx 3.5 – 4 hours
Stop At: Great Lake Trail, Taupo 3351 New Zealand
The trail climbs steadily up through native bush onto the headland providing great views across the lake and back down into Kinloch.
Here you have the option to ride the Headland Loop - which follows the Whangamata Bluffs. Great native bush and awesome views across the lake to the Kaimanawas, Karangahape Cliffs and Tongariro National Park Taupo). Listen out for the birds!!
Once back at the junction, you will continue to ride down the undulating pumice trail through that loops around contours on the hillside through native bush. At the end you will ride through farmland, past paddocks of sheep and down into Whakaipo Bay which is one of the last untouched public and farmed reserves left on the shores of Lake Taupo. This place is so rustic and raw, you will be speechless.
A good climb still for less experienced or less fit riders that rewards you with everything you could want from a ride; great views, fast and flowing down hills, a real mountain bike ride pleaser.
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 1: Orakau and K2K (Kawakawa Bay to Kinloch) Grade 3 Distance 19km – Approx 2.5-3 hours
Stop At: Great Lake Trail, Taupo 3351 New Zealand
Mountain biking is a great way to experience the particular scenery from the Great Lake trail. Where else in the world do you ride all year round (pumice) tracks with extensive views of the lake & mountains, and could see people Rock climbing.
Start at Whangamata road car park, and finish in Kinloch.
On this Ride you will follow the trail down Orakau stream and through flax wetlands, native bush to Kawakawa Bay (beautiful bay on lake edge) – along the way see Tongariro national park. From Kawakawa bay start steadily climbing rough native bush to headland which provides great views over Lake Taupo, at headland you will start descending back down into Kinloch.
Some good climbs but short, less challenging for less experienced and less fit riders.
If you prefer to just ride the Orakau leg, you can opt to have a boat transfer back to Kinloch. Additional boat transfer charge will apply.
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: W2K and headloop (Kinloch to Whakaipo Bay) Grade 3 Distance 22.2km – Approx 3.5 – 4 hours
Stop At: Great Lake Trail, Taupo 3351 New Zealand
The trail climbs steadily up through native bush onto the headland providing great views across the lake and back down into Kinloch.
Here you have the option to ride the Headland Loop - which follows the Whangamata Bluffs. Great native bush and awesome views across the lake to the Kaimanawas, Karangahape Cliffs and Tongariro National Park Taupo). Listen out for the birds!!
Once back at the junction, you will continue to ride down the undulating pumice trail through that loops around contours on the hillside through native bush. At the end you will ride through farmland, past paddocks of sheep and down into Whakaipo Bay which is one of the last untouched public and farmed reserves left on the shores of Lake Taupo. This place is so rustic and raw, you will be speechless.
A good climb still for less experienced or less fit riders that rewards you with everything you could want from a ride; great views, fast and flowing down hills, a real mountain bike ride pleaser.
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Price is based on min 2 adults
- Most travelers can participate
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Lydia_K
January 2020
Lisa was great to work with and very accommodating. Brit was the best tour guide! Loved the trail, the scenery was very beautiful, and the lunches were the best! We would do it again in a heart beat.
Lisa was great to work with and very accommodating. Brit was the best tour guide! Loved the trail, the scenery was very beautiful, and the lunches were the best! We would do it again in a heart beat.