Rotorua Redwoods

Notes:

A few years ago AMB Magazine listed Split Enz as one of the Worlds’ Greatest Trails and I can understand why.  The flow in this trail is near perfection as it descends through some amazing forest.

Split Enz is a narrow single track that keeps you on your toes as it winds its way around the steep mountain side.  For the most part the trail is cut into the edge of the hill with a foot or two of vertical edging on one side ready to grab a lazy pedal or tyre.  On the other side is more often than not a reasonably steep hillside.  There are also plenty of trees to navigate and a the odd technical challenge.  You certainly want to be on your game if you’re riding Split Enz at pace - It's a long way to the bottom of the mountain.

The trail begins with some rough technical bits before settling into the Split Enz experience.  The top section of the trail is quite dark and moody making for a great vibe as you fly around the mountain. 

The first clearing arrives too quickly but only a few seconds later it’s back into the forest for more of the same Split Enz GOLD!

You can’t help but be in the zone by the time you hit the second section.  The pace picks up a little and the forest becomes more jungle like, it is an amazing section of trail.

Important: There’s a fantastic lookout on the trail is not to be missed.  When the trail turns back on itself and heads the other way across the mountain wait for it to turn perpendicular and prepare for the clearing on the right – 3:27 on the video.

The lookout is pretty much halfway along Split Enz and the perfect place to take a few minutes to consider that there is no where else in the world you would rather be.

From the lookout the trail dips back into the forest fairly quickly and it gets quite dark despite the amount of low level bush significantly decreasing.  This section contains 3 ladder bridges, you want to be ready for them because if you get off line you’ll have some serious issues – check the video from 4:25, 5:05 and 5:46.  Blink and you might miss the first one.

After the second ladder bridge the trail gets a little playful as it flips around a few trees with not a lot of room for error.  There are a few little bumps in the trail in this section too .. just to keep things interesting.

The 3rd ladder bridge is the longest and the most dangerous of the lot.  From the 3rd ladder bridge the pace steps up again and the trail gets way more technical.

A few dusty banked corners, a pot hole you could hide a VW Beetle in and some rutty fall-line trail sections round out an amazing ride down the Split Enz trail.

To access Split Enz you must climb up Moerangi and Loop Rds.  It’s a fair distance from the bottom of Billy T and it’s all up hill. (You can enter Billy T from the Shuttle drop off.)

Split Enz is worth every kilojoule of the climb up but it's also a long ride out.  Take Pondy DH to Pondy New.  You can then either escape via Sandy Skid Rd or continue on the single track with Pondy New and Roller Coaster before selecting your route home via Old Chevy or back up to the shuttle via Moonshine and Chinese Menu.

Split Enz is an absolute must do on any trip to the Redwoods and one of the most amazing riding experiences I've ever enjoyed.

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