Orakau - Kinloch
Distance: ~19 km
Grade: Grade 3 (Intermediate)
Time: ~2 hours
Terrain: Native bush • Volcanic • Singletrack
Finish: Kinloch
RIDE THE NORTHERN SIDE OF THE GREAT LAKE TRAIL
The Orakau to Kinloch section is a fantastic introduction to the Great Lake Trail.
Your adventure begins at the Orakau trailhead, where you'll set off on a 19 km Grade 3 intermediate ride towards Kinloch.
The trail winds through native bush and volcanic terrain, with a mixture of flowing singletrack, climbs and descents to keep the ride interesting.
Along the way, you'll arrive at Kawakawa Bay, a picturesque and secluded spot tucked away on the edge of Lake Taupō. It’s the perfect place to stop, take a short break and enjoy the peaceful lakeside surroundings before continuing your ride.
From Kawakawa Bay, the trail begins its climb towards Codgers Rock, a well-known lookout and one of those places where you'll definitely want to stop for a photo. With spectacular views over Lake Taupō and the surrounding landscape, it makes for a pretty impressive Instagram shot before you continue on towards Kinloch.
From here, enjoy the final stretch of trail before rolling into the lakeside village of Kinloch.
At around 2 - 3 hours of relaxed riding, it's a great option for those wanting to experience the Great Lake Trail without committing to a full day on the bike.
Once you arrive in Kinloch, there’s no need to rush off. Kick back and enjoy some lunch or a coffee at the local General Store, or on a warm Taupō day, cool off with a well-earned swim in the lake.
And best of all, because you're riding point-to-point, FourB takes care of getting you to the start.
RIDE THE TRAIL. RELAX BY THE LAKE. WE’LL HANDLE THE LOGISTICS.
THE LOGISTICS
We take care of the hard part.
Bringing your own bike? Meet the FourB shuttle in Kinloch at 9am, where we'll collect you and your bike and transfer you to the Orakau trailhead on Whangamata Rd. From there, simply ride the trail back to Kinloch, finishing right where your vehicle is waiting.
Hiring a bike from FourB? Your adventure starts from our Taupō base at 8.20am. We'll organise your bike and shuttle you to the beginning of the Orakau trail. From there, you'll ride the 19 km trail through to Kinloch, where we'll collect you for your return transfer back to the FourB base.
No doubling back. No worrying about leaving a vehicle at each end.
Bring your own bike or hire from us — we'll organise the rest.
CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE
BRING YOUR OWN BIKE
Already have your bike? We'll take care of getting you and your bike to the beginning of the trail.
Meet us in Kinloch, jump aboard the shuttle with your bike, and we'll transfer you to Orakau. Then enjoy the ride back to your vehicle at your own pace.
FROM $69 PER PERSON
NEED A BIKE? WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED.
Make it easy and let FourB organise the whole experience.
Start from our Taupō base, where we'll get you set up with your bike before transferring you to the Orakau trailhead. Ride through to Kinloch and we'll take care of your return transfer back to our base.
FROM $150 PER PERSON
WANT A GUIDE?
Add a FourB guide and experience more than just the trail.
Perfect if you want:
Local knowledge and stories along the way
Riding support and extra confidence
Help through the more challenging sections
The best spots for photos, views and breaks
A relaxed experience without worrying about the details
Your guide can help you make the most of Kawakawa Bay, Codgers Rock and the ride into Kinloch, while keeping the day moving at a pace that suits you.
YOU ENJOY THE RIDE. WE’LL SHOW YOU THE BEST OF IT.
