The Route That Defines Volcanic Epic
5 Days | 215km | 4,800m Climbing | 91.9% Singletrack
Five stages of world-famous volcanic singletrack, from a heli-bike uplift to private alpine trail on the edge of Lake Taupō’s supervolcano to Rotorua’s geothermal mountain bike playground.
Five stages of world-famous volcanic singletrack, from a heli-bike uplift to private alpine trail on the edge of Lake Taupō’s supervolcano to Rotorua’s geothermal mountain bike playground.
STAGE 1
The start line no one forgets.
Begin Volcanic Epic like no other cross-country MTB stage race in the world, with a heli-bike uplift to private alpine trail near Lake Taupō. Ride beneath the volcanic peaks of the Central North Island, take in huge alpine views and drop into a stage that sets the tone for the entire week.
Begin Volcanic Epic like no other cross-country MTB stage race in the world, with a heli-bike uplift to private alpine trail near Lake Taupō. Ride beneath the volcanic peaks of the Central North Island, take in huge alpine views and drop into a stage that sets the tone for the entire week.
STAGE 2
Fast, flowing and unmistakably volcanic.
Stage 2 brings riders into Taupō’s volcanic singletrack, where flowing trails, punchy climbs and purpose-built MTB terrain create a rhythm that rewards smooth riding. After the excitement of Stage 1, this stage settles into the flow of the week.
Stage 2 brings riders into Taupō’s volcanic singletrack, where flowing trails, punchy climbs and purpose-built MTB terrain create a rhythm that rewards smooth riding. After the excitement of Stage 1, this stage settles into the flow of the week.
STAGE 3
Welcome to one of the world’s great mountain bike playgrounds.
Rotorua delivers the kind of trail surface riders travel for: hero dirt, native forest, geothermal landscapes and world-famous singletrack. This is where the event leans into the full Rotorua MTB experience, with flow, culture and proper stage-race energy.
Rotorua delivers the kind of trail surface riders travel for: hero dirt, native forest, geothermal landscapes and world-famous singletrack. This is where the event leans into the full Rotorua MTB experience, with flow, culture and proper stage-race energy.
STAGE 4
The hidden gem riders keep talking about.
Tokoroa brings a different flavour to the week and has become a rider favourite for good reason. With the 2 Day Solo riders joining the event, the stage gets a fresh hit of energy just as the five-day riders roll into the back half of their journey. Expect forest singletrack, local trail character and a stage that feels honest, rewarding and full of rhythm. It is the kind of day that reminds riders stage racing is about more than distance. It is about discovering places you might never otherwise ride.
Tokoroa brings a different flavour to the week and has become a rider favourite for good reason. With the 2 Day Solo riders joining the event, the stage gets a fresh hit of energy just as the five-day riders roll into the back half of their journey. Expect forest singletrack, local trail character and a stage that feels honest, rewarding and full of rhythm. It is the kind of day that reminds riders stage racing is about more than distance. It is about discovering places you might never otherwise ride.
STAGE 5
From geysers to hero dirt to the finish-line feeling.
The final stage begins in Te Puia’s geothermal valley, riding past the iconic Pōhutu Geyser before heading into the world-famous Whakarewarewa Forest. From there, riders hit lakeside geothermal trail, with steam rising from the track as the route leads back toward the Rotorua CBD. It is a fitting final chapter for Volcanic Epic: world-class singletrack, unmistakable Rotorua landscapes and one last volcanic ride into the finish-line atmosphere.
The final stage begins in Te Puia’s geothermal valley, riding past the iconic Pōhutu Geyser before heading into the world-famous Whakarewarewa Forest. From there, riders hit lakeside geothermal trail, with steam rising from the track as the route leads back toward the Rotorua CBD. It is a fitting final chapter for Volcanic Epic: world-class singletrack, unmistakable Rotorua landscapes and one last volcanic ride into the finish-line atmosphere.
