A Cycle Experience for Everyone!
A Cycle Experience For Everyone!
Taupo is well known for its Great Lake Trail, an intermediate all-weather wilderness ride that is amazing in any season. Less well known are the numerous rides that can be enjoyed safely by families and those less experienced riders who want to enjoy getting out on pavement.
In the Mapara Valley we have amazing road rides on relatively quiet country roads. These include some great climbs for those looking for a real cardio workout or you can stick to the flat or more gentile climb up Tukairangi Road past Ross and Annie Palmer's beautiful Tukairangi Gallery, where their world class ceramic art is created, displayed and sold. The views from Tukairangi Road are amazing, on a good day out over the lake towards Tongariro National Park and its three majestic volcanoes, or just taking in the very pleasant farmland and plantings of this quiet country valley. If you want to ride real hills you can challenge yourself on the 14 percent gradient of the Mapara Hill or Tukairangi Hill. The full ride of the valley is a horseshoe of approximately 40 km and all up includes over 700m of climbing. On a roadbike the hills will have you at full blow however a mountain bike with kind gearing can make the road a little easier.
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Another benefit of using a mountain bike is it makes a for an easy visit to iconic Whakaipo Bay with its beautiful beach and majestic 200m high ignimbrite cliffs. This is also the beginning, or end of the W2K section of the Great Lake Trail and if you don't feel like riding a whole section then ride for 20 minutes up the track to the first seat rewards with superb views over Lake Taupo and Tongariro National Park.
Another of our favourite rides is from Whakaipo Lodge into Taupo Town, just over 10km one way. The ride includes a climb of 150m at 9% gradient up Mapara Road, past the iconic LÁrte Cafe and then a fast downhill into Acacia Bay. Its then an easy ride along the cycle path on Acacia Bay Road into Taupo. Turn right into Arihia Street and ride past the Nukuhau and Te Rangiita Maraes and St James Church in Pitiroi Street then down Norman Smith Street and across the Control Gate Bridge. This manages the level of Lake Taupo and the flow of New Zealand's largest river the Waikato. Just the other side of the bridge hang a right and head up through the domain. Its then a very pleasant ride along the banks of the Waikato and into the Taupo Marina where there is a great coffee stop at Stir Cafe.
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From the Taupo Marina you can follow the Lions Trail for nearly 15 km to Waitahanui. The ride meanders gently past beautiful bays and beaches, art work, fun stuff to do and of course, cafes for more coffee or a bar or two for a beer. Just remember though that you have to ride back or if you've over done it call us at Adventure Shuttles and we will pick you up and return you safely back home.
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We haven't even mentioned some other possibilities such as the Huka Falls Ride, Aratiatia or Craters or Tongariro River Trail and the many other beautiful rides that are within a short distance of Whakaipo Lodge. There is just so much choice. So, you'll just have to come and find out for yourselves! Visit our Book Now or Enquiry links for more information.
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