Trust aims to pave way for more trails

Gregg Brown is leading the new trail trust. PHOTO/FILE

Rotorua is on the cusp of creating a vast network of trails for horse riders, walkers and mountain bikers, linking up existing tracks and creating new tourism opportunities.

A new trust has been set up to co-ordinate efforts and is being modelled on the Wakatipu Trails Trust, which has developed trails in the Queenstown region.

"It's not just about mountain bikes," said trust chairman Gregg Brown.

"We want more horse trails and trails for running and walking. It's not just in the Whakarewarewa forest either, but the wider Rotorua district."

A new mountain bike trail connecting the Western and Eastern Okataina walkways to Kawerau along the Tarawera River is one that Mr Brown wants to investigate, giving visitors a multi-day option.

He said there were also ideas for connecting the Te Ara Ahi cycleway to the Waikato River Trail, and extending the Moerangi trail, among others.

"There are some good opportunities we want to explore.

"It's early days yet. There are things we have yet to work through."

Other trustees include Darren Ashmore, who is the events manager for Hillary Outdoors and on the committees of Rotorua Trail Runners and Orienteering Bay of Plenty, Catriona Gordon, a local horse rider and Mike Gray, who is involved with the Rotorua Tramping Club. Mr Brown said they wanted to work with as many user groups as possible.

"It's definitely going to be a big focus on mountain biking but we want to bring the success we have had around that to other networks, using our natural resources in a more productive way."

He said the district had an unrivalled landscape of volcanoes, geysers, lakes, bush and forest.

"We have many trails but these are under the control of different authorities, are not systematically connected, in different states of repair, and barely publicised. The Great Walks of Milford track, Routeburn and the Tongariro Crossing are magnets for tourists."

The trust hopes to bring together the trails to promote to tourists and add opportunities for the Rotorua economy.

It had also made a submission to the Rotorua Lakes Council Long-term Plan.