22.7 miles
Distance
2,980 ft
Climb
-2,979 ft
Descent
1,664 ft
High Point
Loop from Tikitapu Blue Lake around Whaka Forest.
Most of the ride is grade 2 and 3 mtb single track with some good flow sections.
Small amount of cycling on gravel forest roads that are usually closed to general vehicle traffic.
There is a section of paved cycleway separated from the state highway.
There are two places for drinking water at Waipa carpark (after the paved cycleway section), and after the Sweet n Sour trail.
There is a basic cafe at Waipa carpark coffee and food etc.
A number of good sections for scenery of lakes, streams and different types of forest.
Detailed Description
Don't Forget Your Chopsticks Gordon is a 23 mile popular easy route located near Rotorua. This mountain bike primary route can be used one direction and has a moderate overall physical rating. This route includes 16 trails. This route climbs 2,980 ft with a max elevation of 1,664 ft then descends -2,979 ft.
Local Trail Association
Rotorua Trails Trust (rotoruatrailstrust.co.nz)Please consider joining or donating to the local riding association to support trail development & maintenance.
donate to earn trail karma!
Trail Products
-
TrailMapps: RotoruaPhone App
38 Reviews & Comments
-
+ 0
MattOGAPQs
(Nov 10, 2022 at 2:41)
Trail Mad If You Don't
Old trail which isn’t very popular anymore, for good reason. Rooty without much gradient, so just awkward to ride.
[Reply]
Nats1234
(Sep 2, 2022 at 23:12)
Trail Te Kōtukutuku
Had some folks riding the wrong direction today, insisting it was two-way. Not sure if there is any extra signage that could be out up to help with that?
[Reply]
Tully01
(Jul 30, 2022 at 2:15)

Trail Te Pou Koropū
Ridden today as part of the Forest Loop but instead of turning right onto Windy Road as the sign suggests turn left on Windy Rd for 50mtrs then you will see the continuation of Te Pou Koropu on the right which is an easy ride that will bring you out at the far end of the Tawa hub - but don't take the return loop entrance at the end unless you wish to return. The track is in good order even after recent rains. Thus xhould be included in the Forest loop.
[Reply]
brush29
(Jul 14, 2022 at 10:42)
Trail Puarenga
Trail is a mess again.
Trees down everywhere.
No clear way through them.
As a grade 2 Should be closed until repair.
[Reply]
Trees down everywhere.
No clear way through them.
As a grade 2 Should be closed until repair.
TracyRTT
RTT (Jul 14, 2022 at 13:29)

Trail Puarenga
Hi There, thanks very much for your comment. Is is the actual Puarenga stream trail you are referring to? Or just the exit to Duck Pond Road? We are aware that the exit to Duck Pond Road is still covered in slash and is currently closed on Trailforks. Any further information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much Tracy RTT
[Reply]

Trail Te Pou Koropū
Flowy single-track with tight climbs and open descents
[Reply]

Trail Bunny Jugs 1
Rooty fast small and smooth tech track
[Reply]

Trail Creek Alternative Exit
Good alternate former road out
[Reply]

To an intersection in the open with different sometimes muddy lines
[Reply]
Tully01
(Sep 29, 2021 at 1:42)

Trail Tangaroa-mihi
Ridden today as part of the Forest Loop after recent rain and track was in excellent condition as usually, lovely picturesque bush ride
[Reply]
Tully01
(Sep 29, 2021 at 1:19)

Trail Te Kōtukutuku
Another ride on this awesome trail with one of the most photographed scenes post on line looking across the Green Lake. Trail in excellent condition even after recent rain. A great section of the Forest loop
[Reply]
SamBayly
(Apr 2, 2021 at 14:39)
Trail Te Kōtukutuku
Amazing ride and incredible views. So glad the track is open again
[Reply]
Tully01
(Mar 4, 2021 at 21:01)

Trail Te Kōtukutuku
Rode as part of the Whaka Forest Loop. Absolutely awesome scenery and a great trail to ride. Part of the track is a recent realignment after the track was opened to use again. Some climbing but highly recommended.
[Reply]
GrantO
(Jan 2, 2021 at 12:16)

Trail Te Kōtukutuku
2021 Still Closed...
Maybe 1 day soon we can get access again.
[Reply]
Maybe 1 day soon we can get access again.
Jethro1999
(Aug 24, 2020 at 2:26)
Trail Mad If You Don't
Lots of roots
Nice if that's what you into but I prefer fast and flowing
[Reply]
Nice if that's what you into but I prefer fast and flowing
GeneralNumpty
(May 16, 2020 at 13:06)
We started from the waipa car park so when we got to closed track between the blue and green lakes it was difficult to find an alternative route to get towards state highway 5. The lakefront Rd had tape on it, but as it was getting late we had to take it.
[Reply]
GeneralNumpty
(May 16, 2020 at 12:58)
Trail Yellow Brick Return
Free and fast flowing... Made the trip out on the Yellow brick road worth it.
[Reply]
Mbwood
(Mar 3, 2020 at 20:06)
Trail Sweet N' Sour
Lower section no longer. Starts at Princess Ann Rd.
[Reply]
Mason2020
(Feb 10, 2020 at 21:34)

Trail Te Kōtukutuku
Sadly this trail is closed due to people swimming in the sacred lake. The lake is Tapu to the local indigenous Maori whose ancestors are buried on the island within. Please steer clear of this trail and the access road nearby until an agreement is made with the local Iwi.
[Reply]
Gonezo
(Feb 5, 2020 at 19:57)

Trail Yellow Brick Return
Mostly downhill, fast flowing rolling lines. Fun fun fun, for new and intermediate riders alike. Better than Yellow Brick Road itself, our 2 year old was giggling with joy the entire way down (on his front mounted "Do Little" bike seat. Can't wait to do it again.
[Reply]
Gonezo
(Feb 5, 2020 at 19:53)

Trail Yellow Brick Road
Awesome trail, great scenery, nice and smooth not too many roots, however wouldn't really agree with the "downhill primary" label. The first 1/2 to 2/3 is uphill, and there's a relatively short downhill after that. The return trail "Yellow Brick Road Return" is much more fun, mostly downhill and flowy. We took our 2 year old on it and he was just giggling with excitement the whole way down. Definitely a great fun trail for anyone who's new to mountain biking.
[Reply]
MaximusM
(Jan 14, 2020 at 20:52)
Trail Puarenga
Pretty good trail for beginners, very ‘in the bush’. A couple steep ascents towards the end and a kinda hazardous descent at the start (for beginners). It has a non-signposted fork at on point where one side just leads into an overgrown dead end. Otherwise it is a fun little way to get to a highly recommended track: Yellow brick road.
[Reply]
MaximusM
(Jan 14, 2020 at 20:45)
Trail Yellow Brick Return
Loads of fun, did it on my first time mountain biking so good for beginners. Worth the way up.
[Reply]
Ketzal
(Jul 29, 2018 at 9:53)
Trail Yellow Brick Return
Superb trail. Ride it at warp speed and it's fantastic fun.
[Reply]
kennedynz
(Apr 25, 2017 at 8:08)
Trail Sweet N' Sour
Climb. Access top of nice Rd. Links with dragons tail or be rude not to
[Reply]
Trails in Route
Details
-
Riding area
-
Primary ActivityMountain Bike
-
Other Activities
- E-Bike
-
Difficulty ratingGreen
-
Route TypeLoop
-
eBike Allowed
-
Bike typeAM, XC, Fat, Adaptive MTB, CX, Gravel, Trials
-
DirectionOne Direction
-
Physical ratingModerate
-
Ridelogs
More Stats for Don't Forget Your Chopsticks Gordon mountain bike route
-
Altitude min1,061 ft
-
Altitude start1,427 ft
-
Altitude end1,430 ft
-
Grade max-64.1%
-
Grade min55%
-
Distance climb9 miles
-
Distance down10 miles
-
Distance flat4 miles
close
3D
Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Inadequate
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
Trailforks scans users ridelogs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
Trail Last Ridden
Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine the last time a trail was ridden.
- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
- Downhill Only
- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
Contribute Details
Colors indicate trail is missing specified detail.
- Description
- Photos
- Description & Photos
- Videos
Trail Popularity ?
Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months.
Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades.
Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors.
- most popular
- popular
- less popular
- not popular
ATV/ORV/OHV Filter
Max Vehicle Width
inches
Radar Time
x
Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public ridelogs from the past 6 months.
- mountain biking recent
- mountain biking (>6 month)
- hiking (1 year)
- moto (1 year)
Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public skilogs from the past 12 months.
- Downhill Ski
- Backcountry Ski
- Nordic Ski
- Snowmobile
Jump Magnitude Heatmap
Heatmap of where riders jump on trails. Zoom in to see individual jumps, click circles to view jump details.
Trails Deemphasized
Trails are shown in grey.
Only show trails with NO bikes.
Save the current map location and zoom level as your default home location whenever this page is loaded.
Save
Trail transparency
Photos
Videos
youtuber

Yellow Brick Road - Return Section... and a lot of heavy breathing!
trail: Yellow Brick Return
3:30 | 39 | comments: 0 | favs:
Mar 13, 2021
youtuber

Kids Loop into Tahi Track - Rotorua MTB with little kids
trail: Kid's Loop
14:35 | 22 | comments: 0 | favs:
Apr 26, 2021
Recent Trail Reports Along Route
more reports »
- By SeanCallis & contributors
- #11320 - 2,494 views