6 miles
Distance
1,273 ft
Climb
-755 ft
Descent
00:55:27
Avg time
Orakau Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaGreat Lake Trails
Taupo -
Difficulty Rating
-
Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeAM, XC
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Trail UsageMulti-use
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DirectionBoth DirectionsPopular in reverse
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Climb DifficultyBlue
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Physical RatingModerate
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Dogs AllowedYes
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Global Ranking#1847 in Mountain Biking
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Local Popularity60 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 70 in Trail Running
- 5 in Hiking
From the Whangamata Road carpark, the trail follows the Orakau Stream and Harakeke (flax) wetland through regenerating native bush down to Kawakawa Bay on the edge of Lake Taupō. The trail is generally downhill and offers views across the lake to the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park. Remember, as with the other Great Lake Trails, this track is two way.
This trail makes up part of the Great Lake Cycle Trails (along with the K2K and W2K trails).
The Great Lake Trails are maintained by Bike Taupō with local support and National Cycleways funding. Please take a few minutes and take this survey to help us procure continuing funding support.
https://survey.getsmartglobal.com/survey/?question=52925
Local Trail Association
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Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to supportdonate to earn trail karma!
trail development & maintenance.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Orakau mountain bike trail trail
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Altitude change518 ft
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Altitude min1,181 ft
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Altitude max1,699 ft
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Altitude start1,181 ft
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Altitude end1,699 ft
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Grade1.691%
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Grade max-36.263%
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Grade min40.937%
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Distance climb3 miles
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Distance down2 miles
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Distance flat1 mile
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Avg time00:55:27
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Avg reverse time00:49:04
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Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
Trail 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%
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
ContributeDetails
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
LEGEND
Trail Difficulties
Trail Report Status
- Access Road/Trail
- White
- Green
- Blue
- Black
- Double Black Diamond
Trail Report Status
- Clear / Green
- Minor Issue / Yellow
- Significant Issue / Amber
- Closed
- Land Owner Overlay
- Wilderness (typically no bikes in USA)
- BLM (public)
- USFS (Wildlife sanctuaries darker than usfs)
- State land
- Indigenous
- Military
Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
- Map Markers
Trail Head
Photo
Directory Listing
Riding Area
TTF
Parking
Viewpoint
Information
Warning
Directions
Sight
Restrooms
eBike Charging Point
Water Fountain/Source
Gate
Trail Sign
Table or Bench
Ladder
Stairs
Bridge
Boardwalk
Camping
Cabin
Lodge
Bear Cache
Dock
Ranger Station
Summit
Other
Directions to orakau trailhead
(-38.665390, 175.869832)
update trails status or condition
Orakau Trail Reports
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Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 2 rides
- 24 miles avg distance
6 Months
- 74 rides
- 19 miles avg distance
All
- 347 rides
Photos
more »
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+ 1

What a great winter track! Quick dry and grippy pumice soil is the best! Rode from down the track from Whangamata Road to Kawa Kawa Bay through the awesome native bush. There were plenty of birds around to keep me company and there were some awesome views! A must do if you are hanging about in Taupo.
[Reply]
samduf
(Sep 27, 2020 at 20:17)
Rode just after some serious rain. A few puddles here and there and also some windfall near the top, but otherwise a fine trail. Would not recommend as a climb. Do the O2K as the climb then ride down this one. Really good loop from Kinloch
[Reply]
Tully01
(Oct 22, 2020 at 22:24)
Track in excellent condition . One tree across the track 50mtr below Morepork Gully. Easy enough to get bikes over but a bit big to cut or move with the tools we had
[Reply]
Videos
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youtuber

18:54 |
406 |
Jul 19, 2018 , Taupo
Nearby Trails
- Otaketake 3 miles
- W2k 4 miles
- K2k 4 miles
- Headland Ne Overlook 5 miles
- Headland Loop 5 miles
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