Dirt Rides NZ

Trail

Berm Buster Trail Ride Taupo

Sat 14 Nov – Sun 15 Nov 2026

See daily times ↓

Wainui Forest, Taharua Rd, 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 terrain is described as rideable in all weather. Over 100 km of rolling hills, winding gullies, firebreaks and jumps, with many berms and optional expert-only trails. Main trails are freshly groomed after each event.

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

Trails:

  • KTM Trail: 31 km, fluro arrows, 7 optional breakout tracks graded 2-6
  • HUSQVARNA Trail: 25 km, fluro arrows, 4 optional breakout tracks graded 2-6
  • GASGAS Trail: 15 km, fluro arrows, 7 optional breakout tracks graded 2-6
  • MOTOREX Trail: 10 km, fluro arrows, 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 please
  • 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 8:00 am.

Starts at between 9:00 am and 9:30 am.

Tracks open 9:00-9:30 am to 3:00 pm.

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

Requirements

  • No quads or dogs; forestry rule
  • Fire extinguishers are compulsory for adult riders and can be bought on the day for $30, with a return system giving $20 back
  • This is a working forest so absolutely no entry to the forest before the event on Saturday and Sunday

Facilities

Food, coffee and cold drinks for sale.

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

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

Accommodation options in Taupo. Camping available in a paddock near the ride from Friday afternoon. No charge at this stage. The paddock has only 1 portaloo. Text Dee. No dogs, fires, or riding around the paddock.

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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