Rotorua Redwoods

Notes:

I'm sure Tuhoto Ariki was a top bloke, but his trail is TORTURE!  An absolutely cruel mix of narrow, steep, muddy, rooted and rutty descents with as equally technical flat sections, as equally technical pinch climbs and a whole lot of as equally technical grinding up hill.  That added up to a LOT of walking, sweating, fogging up, clipping trees, stalling on roots and a truck load of MUD!

Tuhoto Ariki is NOT a descending trail .. let me say that again .. Tuhoto Ariki is NOT a descending trail.  While it has some really fun technical descents that are not dissimilar to Te Tihi-O-Tawa you will spend a lot longer climbing on this trail than you will descending.   And what's worse is that with every turn and with every climb you will think you can see the top but there always seems to be another climb beyond it.  Listen to my breathing throughout the video to get an appreciation of just how taxing it is.

Tuhoto Ariki is not even 4 kms long, however it took me 45 mins to ride!!  (34 minutes of actual moving)   My recommendation is to ensure you can handle Te Tihi-O-Tawa descents before heading out on Tuhoto Ariki BUT be prepared to spend a good 25 minutes climbing and a good chance of walking.

Tuhoto Ariki starts at the top of Tawa Rd and has the same trail entrance as Te Tihi-O-Tawa, it runs down to Moerangi Rd about half way along the climb between Billy T and Split Enz.

Tuhoto Ariki also provides access to two Black Diamond - Grade 6 trails I haven't ridden as yet.  

• Kataore heads off to the left at the end of the first descent.  I've been told by a number of riders that this is the toughest Grade 6 trail in the Forest - they pretty much guarantee you will come off your bike on this trail. (Intersection on the video at 6:10)
• Hatu Patu which heads off to the right at the top of the final descent.  Again this is rated as one of the tougher Grade 6 trails in the Forest.  You can more easily access Hatu Patu by climbing back up Tuhoto Ariki from Moerangi Rd, However most of the climb will be spent walking.  (Intersection on the video at 29:45)

Tuhoto Ariki is a two way trail, however best ridden "down" ... with the air quotes around "down".

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