The Geyserland Mega

The Mega is the longest of our Geyserland Bikepacking Adventures, taking you all the way out from Rotorua to the west coast near Marakopa, and back to Rotorua again. This route covers some amazing background roads, as well as the best part of the Timber Trail and some little-known routes to connect the Waikato River Trail and the Timber Trail:

Note: For 2023, roadworks on SH1 require some changes to the course on day 1 and day 5. I’ve updated the maps below to include these changes.

Day 1: Rotorua to Kakaho Campsite

Option	Description	Distance	Climbing	More Info
Regular	Take Te Kopia Road and backroads to Tihoi	120 km	1,900 m	Route Map
Hard	More riding through Reporoa and Waikite Valley	162 km	2,350 m	Route Map

Day 2: Kakaho Campsite to Piopio

Option	Description	Distance	Climbing	More Info
Regular	Link Road and Half Timber Trail	127 km	1,900 m	Route Map
Hard	Full Timber Trail	172 km	2,500 m	Route Map

Day 3: Piopio to Waitomo

Option	Description	Distance	Climbing	More Info
Regular	Gravel roads to Marakopa, then on to Waikomo	110 km	1,800 m	Route Map
Hard	Extra loop north to Kawhia Harbour	154 km	2,700 m	Route Map

Day 4: Waitomo to Mangakino

Option	Description	Distance	Climbing	More Info
Regular	Pass through Te Kuiti and Pureora Village	123 km	1,700 m	Route Map
Hard	Adds an extra loop south of Te Kuiti	163 km	2,300 m	Route Map

Day 5: Mangakino to Rotorua

Option	Description	Distance	Climbing	More Info
Regular	Waikato River Trail to Atiamuri, Waikite Valley	92 km	1,000 m	Route Map
Hard	Waikato River Trail to Arapuni, then up to Mamaku	120 km	1,700 m	Route Map