I’d say if you’ve been riding in Taupō over the last few years you’ve probably ridden either the W2K trail or the new section from Kinloch via Kawakawa Bay out to the state highway. Well last week John Key amongst a bunch of other political figures came out to kiss babies and officially open the whole track now that the last section of the trail has been completed. This last section of trail (well actually the first, because this is where you would start) starts from the southern side of the Whangamata Bridge on the Western Bays Road (Highway 32).
Rt Hon John Key officially opened the Great Lake Trail on the shores of Lake Taupō on Thursday 3rd of April at 2:30pm. The Great Lake Trail is another trail opened by the Nga Haeranga (New Zealand Cycle Trail).
The Great Lake trail was built by Bike Taupō Advocacy Group Incorporated and Chairman Rowan Sapsford stated “the trail has been developed with the support of Ngati Tuwharetoa, Department of Conservation, central and local government and many local businesses, turning 2.4 million dollars of the Nga Haeranga funding into a trail valued at over four million dollars”. He also went on to say “thanks to this support we are able to achieve results that bring significant economic and sustainable results to get more people in beautiful parts of our country”.
Hon Julie Anne Genter said ”the positive benefits for New Zealand’s people through the use of the Nga Haeranga trails has had a significant impact on our communities”.
The benefits for Taupō are creating and sustaining more tourism opportunities that flow on through the community through the creation of jobs and business.
Rt Hon John Key mentioned “the future of the cycle trails is bright, with more people choosing New Zealand as a destination for cycling”.
Bike Taupō – Ride Central is the only silver level ride centre accredited by the International Mountain Bike Assocition (IMBA) in New Zealand. The completion of the Great Lake Trail makes for another stunning ride in the Taupō district.
Johnathan Kennett from the Nga Haeranga management team on his last inspection stated that “the newly completed section is the best Grade 3 singletrack in the country”.
Having such support from everyone involved will ensure the Great Lake Trail continues to be a success and will be added to every cyclists list to ride.
