Arapuke Forest Park is the lower North Island’s premier mountain biking destination, with more than 50 km of trails graded from 2 (easy) to 6 (extreme) in the Tararua foothills about 17 km south of Palmerston North. The park is managed by the Manawatū Mountain Bike Club (MMBC) in partnership with Palmerston North City Council, with a constantly developing trail network covering everything from beginner-friendly XC loops at the top of the park to advanced enduro and gravity tracks lower down.
Practical Information
| Location | End of Kahuterawa Road (main entrance) or Scotts Road (top entrance), Tararua foothills south of Palmerston North |
| Distance from PN | ~17 km from central PN to the Kahuterawa carpark (~25 min drive) |
| Trail length | 50+ km of MTB trails |
| Grading | Grade 2 (easy) to Grade 6 (extreme); something for every skill level |
| Managed by | Manawatū Mountain Bike Club (MMBC) with PNCC |
| Facilities at main entrance | MMBC shelter, bike wash, toilets, parking |
| Cost | Free public access; donations to MMBC welcomed |
| Best for | MTB riders of all levels, from beginner XC to advanced enduro |
About Arapuke Forest Park
Arapuke Forest Park sits in the Tararua foothills south of Palmerston North, with the trail network spread across native bush regenerating amongst pine plantation. The 50+ km of MTB trails have been built and maintained by the Manawatū Mountain Bike Club (MMBC) over decades, with the network growing year-on-year as new tracks are added and older ones rebuilt to modern standards.
Two entrances serve the park. The Kahuterawa carpark at the main (lower) entrance is reached by following Kahuterawa Road for nearly 10 km from the southern outskirts of Palmerston North, putting you 17 km from the central city. The Scotts Road carpark at the top entrance is accessed from SH57, with a 7 km drive in from the highway turnoff. Beginner and intermediate riders typically start at Scotts Road (the easier XC loops are there); advanced and expert riders prefer Kahuterawa (climb up Back Track and descend the steeper trails).
Facilities at the Kahuterawa main entrance include the MMBC shelter, a bike-wash area and toilets. No food on-site, so pack what you need.
Trails for Every Skill Level
- Jack Frost (Grade 2): gentle XC loop at the top of the park; the go-to beginner trail from Scotts Road
- Riff Raff and About Time (Grade 3): intermediate flow trails; logical next step after Jack Frost
- Back Track (4WD road): the climb up from the Kahuterawa carpark to the top of the park
- Advanced descents: a network of Grade 4 to Grade 6 trails dropping from the top of the park back to Kahuterawa
- Trail count: dozens of named trails, with the full network documented on Trailforks and the MMBC site
What Visitors Often Say
Riders consistently rate Arapuke as the standout mountain bike destination in the lower North Island. The breadth of the 50+ km trail network, the grade variety from beginner to extreme, and the active MMBC community maintaining and extending the trails all get specific mentions. Visitors from Wellington and Hawke’s Bay regularly drive in for weekend riding.
Common practical tips: beginners and intermediates start at Scotts Road (top entrance); advanced riders park at Kahuterawa and use Back Track to climb; consult Trailforks for the current trail status (some are closed seasonally for maintenance or rebuilds); wear a helmet and bring spare tubes (the trails can be technical); and consider donating to MMBC if you enjoy the network.
Where to Learn More
PNCC, Arapuke Forest Park: official council page with access detail and current status.
Manawatū Mountain Bike Club: trail-building and maintenance club with the most current trail status, events and membership info.
Trailforks, Arapuke Forest: trail-by-trail map with current ratings, status, GPX downloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Arapuke from Palmerston North?
About 17 km from the central city to the Kahuterawa main carpark, around 25 minutes drive south.
How many trails are there?
More than 50 km of trails graded from 2 (easy) to 6 (extreme).
Where should beginners start?
Park at the Scotts Road carpark (top of the park) and ride the Jack Frost trail (Grade 2). When that feels easy, try Riff Raff and About Time.
Where do advanced riders start?
Park at the Kahuterawa carpark (main entrance) and use the Back Track 4WD road to climb to the top of the park, then ride the Grade 4 to 6 descents back down.
Are there facilities?
The Kahuterawa carpark has the MMBC shelter, bike wash and toilets. Scotts Road carpark has parking only.
Is Arapuke free?
Yes, free public access. Donations to MMBC are welcomed and help fund trail maintenance.
Who maintains the trails?
The Manawatū Mountain Bike Club (MMBC) in partnership with Palmerston North City Council.
For more PN cycling, see the cycling tracks hub. Combine with He Ara Kotahi pathway for an easy on-road sealed warm-down ride.