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OUR WORLD FAMOUS REDWOODS FOREST TRACKS
The "Redwoods" area is Rotorua's playground for runners, walkers and mountain bikers. The forest is on the doorstep of Rotorua and in close proximity to the clubrooms of the Lake City Athletic Club. There are a number of access points to the forest, the main ones being the Redwood Visitor Centre (runners and walkers), the separate Redwoods carpark (for all users) and the Waipa mill entrance for mountain bikers - see map below.
There are many tracks contained within the area of the map (known as the Tokorangi Triangle). The tracks on the perimeter of the triangle cover a distance of about 30 kilometres, but the total distance of the various tracks within the Triangle would probably cover 200 kilometres plus (the Triangle has an area of 288 hectares). Apart from Eight Mile Gate Road that runs through the centre of the Triangle (this is a sealed forest roadway used by logging trucks to access the Waipa mill from the south), all roads are gravel or dirt tracks. There is an area of narrow tracks mainly in one sector (accessed from the Waipa Mill) that is used by mountain bikers seeking a few thrills - these are know as singles tracks and are wide enough for one bike only at a time (hence the name singles).
Clearly, there are competing uses of the forest tracks and in the interests of safety, runners and walkers should avoid using these singles tracks. Further, the Triangle is a working forest and while at most times the area is hugely tranquil and devoid of vehicles, vehicles could be on the tracks at any time. Therefore use the tracks with care (and remain alert at all times), and when you do come across areas that restrict access (because of forestry operations), respect those restrictions - they are put in place in the interest of safety for both the forest workers and the recreational users of the forest.
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