Dirt Rides NZ

Trail

Berm Buster Trail Ride Taupo

Sat 3 Oct – Sun 4 Oct 2026

See daily times ↓

Wainui Forest, Taharua Rd, SH 5, Taupo · Waikato

About this ride

Location

SH 5 Napier-Taupo Road, Taharua Rd, Wainui Forest, about 25 minutes from Taupo.

Arrows on SH 5 at the Taharua Rd corner, then just past the one-lane bridge turn right into the forest at Homestead Road.

The ride

Suitable for all 2-wheel abilities.

The Taupo pumice is described as rideable in all weather, with over 100 km of rolling hills, winding gullies, firebreaks and jumps. Main trails are freshly groomed after each event. Optional expert-only trails are available, along with purpose-built novice and kids trails.

Weekend trail information notes that tracks are changed during the year and riders should check at sign-on for updates.

  • KTM Trail: 31 km, 7 optional breakout tracks graded 2-6
  • HUSQVARNA Trail: 25 km, 4 optional breakout tracks graded 2-6
  • GASGAS Trail: 15 km, 7 optional breakout tracks graded 2-6
  • MOTOREX Trail: 10 km, 1 optional breakout track graded 2
  • Kids forest track: 0.6 km, for kids on small bikes; no full-size bikes unless looking after kids
  • Novice kids track: 0.4 km, for kids learning to ride; no fast kids
  • Little Wittle track: 0.1 km, small and flat for novice kids
  • MUD Track: 3 km, can get muddy but fun

Times

  • Sign-on from 8:00am
  • Starts between 9:00am and 9:30am
  • Tracks open 9:00am-3:00pm

Fees

Enter on the day by cash. No Eftpos.

Saturday:

  • Adult: $70
  • Child (under 11): $40
  • Youth 11-15: $50
  • Family 2+3: $200

Weekend:

  • Adult: $100
  • Child (under 11): $50
  • Youth 11-15: $60
  • Family 2+3: $300

Sunday:

  • Adult: $60
  • Child (under 11): $20
  • Youth 11-15: $30
  • Family 2+3: $140

Families means Mum, Dad (parents) and their children, up to 3 kids maximum, aged 15 years or younger.

Requirements

  • No quads or dogs; this is a forestry rule
  • Fire extinguishers are compulsory for adult riders
  • Fire extinguishers can be bought on the day for $30, with a return system giving $20 back

Facilities

Food, coffee and cold drinks for sale.

Demo bikes and hire bikes available at each event. Book hire bikes early. Bike service with Huka Honda.

Motorcycle and accessories displays from AFC, with riding gear and outlet store deals.

Camping and access

Camping is available in a paddock near the ride. No charge at this stage. The paddock opens Friday afternoon.

There is only 1 Portaloo. No dogs, fires, or riding around the paddock. Text Dee. The paddock is on the corner of the forest entrance road.

This is a working forest, so absolutely no entry to the forest before the event on Saturday and Sunday.

More rides in this series

Past dates

Ride stories

Berm Buster Trail Ride Taupō – Rain, Ruts and a Weekend of Great Riding
A weekend at one of New Zealand’s biggest trail rides, tackling the GASGAS, KTM and HUSQVARNA loops in wet Taupō conditions. The rain only made the tracks more interesting, with deepening ruts, quieter technical breakouts and plenty of Grade 2–4 terrain to explore.

References & contact

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