Craters of the Moon, Taupo.

Over the past few years, Taupo has quietly evolved as one of the country's great mountain bike destinations. The local riders, in partnership with the Council and DOC have developed a sophisticated network of tracks around the 'Craters of the Moon'. Impressive features include a couple of tunnels under some horse trekking trails and the clearing of a huge culvert under State Highway 1, linking the Craters with Huka Falls without riders having to dice with traffic on the main drag. The plethora of new tracks has made navigation challenging – so score yourself one of the new waterproof maps. Just two bucks from the Corner Shop, Cycle World, the Information Centre, the Huka Falls Café or Rifle Range Bike Hire. Ground Effect has so far provided $2000 for track work, plus a scrub bar to help keep things tidy.

Next on the horizon is 20km of new singletrack around Lake Taupo from Whakaipo Bay to Kinlock, connecting with existing track from Kinloch to Kawa Kawa bay. Construction should start over the 2005/06 summer, after well-healed local cyclist fronted up with an outrageously generous $130K to kick things off.

The other very exciting project is the development of riding and walking tracks in the various hidden gullies scattered around Taupo. The local Rotary Club has stumped up with $30K to kick-start the process. The first path will use Titoki Reserve to connect Hyde Ave to Richmond Ave and further down to 2 Mile Bay.

 

Check out www.biketaupo.org.nz for the latest.