Name: Don't Forget Your Chopsticks Gordon
Rating: 4

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)

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38 Reviews & Comments

Score Time Route Post Comment

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 15, 2022 at 11:04)

Trail Puarenga

Stream side

[Reply]

brush29 (Jul 15, 2022 at 11:02)

Trail Puarenga

Stream track side

[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]

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]

mtb-tech-geek (Jun 25, 2022 at 23:04)

Trail Te Pou Koropū

Flowy single-track with tight climbs and open descents

[Reply]

mtb-tech-geek (Jun 25, 2022 at 21:51)

Trail Bunny Jugs 1

Rooty fast small and smooth tech track

[Reply]

mtb-tech-geek (Jun 25, 2022 at 20:47)

Trail Kid's Loop

Good nicely flowy single-track

[Reply]

mtb-tech-geek (Jun 25, 2022 at 19:34)

Trail Creek Alternative Exit

Good alternate former road out

[Reply]

mtb-tech-geek (Jun 25, 2022 at 18:23)

Trail Creek, alternate line through Baker's Hollow

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]

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]

graeme-mtb

(Jun 5, 2020 at 21:44)

Trail Te Kōtukutuku

Closed at the moment

[Reply]

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]

Gonezo

(Mar 26, 2020 at 2:51)

Trail Creek

Great length and variety on this trail. Some nice flowy short downhill sections and short climbs as well. Flat overall though, and a real labyrinth of a section on the last 1/3 through the redwood trees.

[Reply]

Lpay5757 (Mar 10, 2020 at 0:23)

Trail Spring Roll

Is this still closed?

[Reply]

evilroyslade

RTT (Jun 11, 2020 at 21:07)

Trail Spring Roll

Has been logged

[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]

GrantO

(Jan 24, 2020 at 23:45)

Trail Spring Roll

Closed currently due to tree felling

[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]

Livee (Jan 1, 2020 at 16:05)

Trail Te Kōtukutuku

Currently closed

[Reply]

GrantO

(Dec 27, 2019 at 14:51)

Trail Tangaroa-mihi

Tree down on upper one way

[Reply]

Melbnz (Jan 6, 2019 at 19:05)

Trail Te Kōtukutuku

Great easy ride, nice and dry today

[Reply]

Melbnz (Jan 6, 2019 at 19:03)

Trail Tangaroa-mihi

Great easy ride, nice and dry recently

[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]

Staceyz2 (May 25, 2017 at 20:32)

Trail Mad If You Don't

Very roots. Not great 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]

Deleted threads/comments are hidden

Trails in Route

	Tangaroa-mihi
	Te Kōtukutuku
	Kid's Loop
	Creek
	Creek, alternate line through Baker's Hollow
	Mad If You Don't
	Yellow Brick Road
	Yellow Brick Return
	Sweet N' Sour
	Bunny Jugs 1
	Te Pou Koropū
	Feeder G3
	Puarenga
	Creek Alternative Exit

Details

Riding area

Whakarewarewa Forest
Primary Activity

Mountain Bike
Other Activities
- E-Bike
Difficulty rating

Green
Route Type

Loop
eBike Allowed

Yes
Bike type

AM, XC, Fat, Adaptive MTB, CX, Gravel, Trials
Direction

One Direction
Physical rating

Moderate
Ridelogs

1

More Stats for Don't Forget Your Chopsticks Gordon mountain bike route

Altitude min

1,061 ft
Altitude start

1,427 ft
Altitude end

1,430 ft
Grade max

-64.1%
Grade min

55%
Distance climb

9 miles
Distance down

10 miles
Distance flat

4 miles

Avg: 4 (1 votes)

Photos

more photos »

Videos

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

trail	date	description
Creek	Mar 12, 2023 @ 11:24pm Mar 12, 2023	Drainage and blowing
Yellow Brick Road	Mar 11, 2023 @ 5:34pm Mar 11, 2023	Trimmed entry exit reporter
Te Kōtukutuku	Mar 10, 2023 @ 6:18pm Mar 10, 2023	Great trail that we used to move around to the nearest climb trail to get up to the top for our day of riding. The dirt was ideal with only a few puddles here and there but I am amazed at how gripping the soil is even when wet.
Tangaroa-mihi	Mar 10, 2023 @ 5:37pm Mar 10, 2023	Deteriorating rider space. This might just need a bit of attention before it gets worse.
Creek, alternate line through Baker's Hollow	Mar 9, 2023 @ 12:40pm Mar 9, 2023	Tree cleared by adopter reporter

Don't Forget Your Chopsticks Gordon route

Local Trail Association

Trail Products

38 Reviews & Comments

Trails in Route

Details

More Stats for Don't Forget Your Chopsticks Gordon mountain bike route

Photos

Videos

Recent Trail Reports Along Route