|
Whirinaki Forest Park opens up to MTBers |
|
|
|
Thursday, 10 August 2006 |
 Mountainbikers will soon be able to discover one of New Zealand’s most famous forest areas when it is opened up to riders this week.
The Whirinaki Forest Park, which lies between the Kaingaroa Forest and the Te Urewera National Park in the central North Island, arguably boasts the best and most dense Podocarp forest in the country. From 12 August, mountainbikers will be able to savour the stunning native forest as well as the abundance of bird life thanks to a new Department of Conservation purpose built mountainbike trail.
The Rotorua Mountain Bike Club (host club of the World Championships) has organised a once a year only Conservation Week ride on one of the walking trails for several years and has been involved in the planning from day one.
The 20km trail, which has been constructed specifically as grades 2-3 making it accessible to everyone, features nice flowing gradients with small climbs and descents, as well as a 2km downhill on an old hauling road. But DOC spokesperson Nick Doney said the most striking feature of the trail are the huge surrounding Podocarp trees including: Kahikatea, Totara, Matai, Rimu and Miro while mature Tawa and some Beech forest can be found at higher points.
“The track weaves its way through terrain typical of Whirinaki country - rolling hills and dense Podocarp forests,” he said. “But the magnificence and accessibility of the Whirinaki Forest Park is set to make this track a must do on any riders list, as well as offer a ready escape to a place of solitude and peace.”
After identifying mountainbiking as a growing recreational pursuit, planning for the trail began in 2003 following a period of public consultation.
Construction started in March this year after DOC completed an Assessment of Environmental Effects (AEE) and further consulted with Ngati Whare (local Tangata Whenua) and several top mountainbikers including Simon Kennett, Jeff Carter and James Dodds. Mr Doney said protection for the environment was paramount during the construction process.
"The AEE covered all aspects of construction, taking into account all associated biodiversity, cultural and historic values. Trail construction staff were also trained by an arborist on correct techniques for target pruning and a lot of time was spent picking the line to use to minimise impact," said Mr Doney.
The result will see the trail weave through the middle of the Whirinaki Ecological Management Zone, which is a 15500 hectare area intensively managed to control pests and enhance the native species. The trail will also have a number of informative panels which interpret the forest, aquatic life, bird life, history, the formation of the natural landscape and work DOC is doing to protect and restore the biodiversity of the area.
The Mayor of Whakatane, Mr Colin Holmes, will officially open the trail at a special ceremony on Saturday August 12. Following this riders, including a delegation of some of the people who are organizing the Rotorua hosted UCI Mountainbike and Trials World Championships, will have a chance to ride the main trail. This can be accessed at Fort Road (also assess road to the 'H Tree' walking track) near Minginui in the Whirinaki Forest Park.
Direction maps to Fort Road Minginui and trail maps will be available from the DOC Visitor Centre at Murupara. |
