Last updated October 2026
The Te Iringa Track in Kaimanawa Forest Park is a remote backcountry mountain bike ride that DOC describes as challenging, needing high skill and high fitness. It starts at the Te Iringa Campsite car park on Clements Mill Road, off the Napier Taupō Road about 27 km east of Taupō.
Riders climb about 330 m, traverse around Mt Te Iringa (1241 m), where some sections mean carrying the bike, then drop about 500 m on singletrack to Tiki Tiki Stream.
DOC gives two options, a day ride to the stream and back or a two-day trip to Oamaru Hut, and either way you return the same way. Destination Great Lake Taupō grades it 5 (expert).
Practical Information
- Start
- Te Iringa Campsite car park, 5 km along Clements Mill Road
- Getting there
- 27 km east of Taupō off SH5 (Napier Taupō Road); turn onto Taharua Road for 9.5 km, then Clements Mill Road
- Options
- Day ride to Tiki Tiki Stream and back, or two days to Oamaru Hut and back
- Riding time
- About 3 hours 30 minutes from the car park to Tiki Tiki Stream (DOC)
- Length
- About 19 km return to Tiki Tiki Stream (Love Taupō)
- Grade
- Grade 5, expert (Love Taupō and Herenga ā Nuku); DOC: high skill and high fitness
- Track type
- Shared-use backcountry track; return the same way, no access through Poronui Station
- Huts
- Old Te Iringa Hut burnt down and will not be replaced; camping at Tiki Tiki Stream; Oamaru Hut on the full trip
- Managed by
- Department of Conservation
- Status
- Check DOC’s Te Iringa Track page for current alerts before you ride
About Te Iringa Track
Te Iringa is a backcountry ride rather than a bike park trail: a remote track that skirts a 1241 m peak in Kaimanawa Forest Park. From the campsite car park the track climbs slowly for 330 m, then gets steep and technical. DOC says this section is mostly rideable, but expect some pushing.
The old Te Iringa Hut site makes a good place for a break, about 1 hour 30 minutes from the car park. The hut burnt down and won’t be replaced, so don’t rely on older maps that still show it.
Beyond it the track traverses around Mt Te Iringa, with a section of steps, steep and narrow parts where you lift and carry the bike, and rocky sections that are slippery in cycling shoes.
Then comes the reward: a singletrack descent with tricky roots that drops about 500 m to the river junction, ending in short, tight switchbacks down to the Tiki Tiki Stream camping area.
Going On to Oamaru Hut
For the two-day version, cross Tiki Tiki Stream using the rope downstream near the logs, then ride for 20 to 30 minutes to the Kaipo swing bridge.
Past the bridge, DOC warns of carrying the bike through guts and bogs before an undulating riverside track leads to Oamaru Hut, about 1 hour 30 minutes from the bridge. The way home is back the way you came, including the final technical descent to the car park, which DOC puts at 15 to 30 minutes.
Rules and Etiquette
Te Iringa is a shared-use track, so follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.
DOC is clear on three points: bikes must come back on the same track, there is no access through Poronui Station, and mountain biking is not allowed on the other tracks in the area. Love Taupō adds that phone coverage is intermittent and strongly recommends carrying a satellite locator.
Like Taupō’s outdoors?
Explore Taupō Weekly has a walk or park idea every week, plus local news and weekend picks. Free every Thursday.
Free. One email a week. Unsubscribe any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Te Iringa Track start?
At the Te Iringa Campsite car park, 5 km along Clements Mill Road. Reach it from SH5 by turning onto Taharua Road and following it 9.5 km to Clements Mill Road.
How hard is it?
Very. DOC calls it a challenging, remote ride needing high skill and fitness, with carrying in places, and Love Taupō grades it 5 (expert).
How long does it take?
DOC allows about 3 hours 30 minutes from the car park to Tiki Tiki Stream, then the same track back.
Can I make it a loop?
No. Mountain bikers must return by the same track, and there is no access through Poronui Station.
Is there a hut?
The old Te Iringa Hut burnt down and won’t be replaced. Riders on the two-day trip go on to Oamaru Hut, and there is a camping area at Tiki Tiki Stream.
Can I ride other tracks nearby?
No. DOC says mountain biking is not permitted on the other tracks in the area.
Is it a walking track too?
DOC describes it as shared use, so expect other users and follow the mountain bikers code.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Related links 2
- Department of Conservation: Te Iringa Track: route, times, access and alerts. Track information: Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
- Love Taupō: Te Iringa Track: the regional tourism listing, with grade, distance and shuttle advice. Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, Outdoor Access Commission, from LINZ and DOC data (CC BY 4.0).