There are three Great Lake Trails, all on the northern side of Lake Taupo. From east to west they are:
1. Great Lakes Trail - W2K, from Kinloch to Whakaipo Bay. Best to start at Kinloch and get a shuttle back, 24km, 3 hours, including a detour called the Headland Trail. Alternatively ride back taking the 14km shortcut for a total of 38km, 4 hours...
2. Great Lakes Trail - K2K. From Whangamata Road to Kinloch. Best to start with a road shuttle from Kinloch, 20km, 3hours. Alternatively ride out and back from Kinloch, 40km, 5 hours. A third alternative is to make a loop of it by riding out on the roads, 42km, 5 hours...
3. Great Lakes Trail - Waihaha. Best to start at Kinloch with a road shuttle to the Waihaha River bridge on Western Bays Road and end with a boat shuttle back to Kinloch, 30km, 4 hours...
The trails are absolutely brilliant - bendy, humpy, and flowing - a symphony of gentle singletrack artistry. The scenery is stunning and the bush a dream coat. All in all, they are rare gems - scenic, mellow , semi-wilderness rides on fun trails.
There are a number of shuttles and bike hire places in the city of Taupo. Drop into the i-site (information centre), on the main street for the really nice trail maps and any other information you need. Taupo is a big tourist centre with lots of other attractions that they can help you with as well.
 | Great Lake Trail - K2K |  | 6 mi |
 | Great Lake Trail - W2K |  | 15 mi |
| Great Lake Trail - Waihaha | | 19 mi |
Amazing trail! Spend a couple days here and do it as two out-and-back trails. Good flow and beautiful views.
| ThankAbsolutely brilliant! Bendy, humpy trail, fun from beginning to end and glorious views to go with it. Don't bypass the headland section!
| ThankThe K2K and the other Great Lake Trails are the ultimate rides of their kind - a combination of a semi-wilderness experience, stunning scenery, and a track with continuous easy technicality.
| ThankAt 30km or 19 miles, this is the longest of the three Great Lake Trails. It's also the furthest from Taupo and the most expensive since it involves two shuttles unless you do two out-and-back rides totalling 60km from the end of Waihaha Road.
Some say it's the best of the three trails but I don't think there's anything in it. It does make for a fantastic day out with friends - great riding, a picnic, a boat ride, a bit of an adventure, stunning views, and a life-long memory.
| ThankGreat trail with the views to match, awesome swimming spot at the end.
| ThankRode Waikapo bay to kinloch including the headland loop. After lots of rain the track was very soggy with lots of boggy sections. Still rideable and awesome scenery. A must do ride
| ThankOne of the most scenic rides in the north island, a must do ride
| ThankGot to be in your list of must-ride New Zealand trails! They are intermediate trails - not suitable for absolute beginners.
| ThankNo doubt about it - this is one of the world's great semi-wilderness mountain bike trails. It's the ultimate mellow adventure ride. Technically interesting all the way and gloriously scenic. It's enlightening, sensuously thrilling, and fun, fun, fun. It life you can't ask for more!!!!
| ThankAbsolutely brilliant trails! Bendy, humpy, fun to ride from beginning to end and glorious views to go with it.
| Thank