More Info →Arapuke Forest Mountain Bike Park video

Description: Arapuke Forest Mountain Bike Park is situated off Kahutarawa Road in Manawatu, and is home to a network of tracks and trails, from Grade 2 through to Grade 6.

Mountain Bikers have been riding at K-Loop since the late 1980s, with a network of trails created on an ad hoc basis in what was then called Woodpecker Forest. Runners, walkers and mountain bikers used to compete with motorbikes and 4WD vehicles for access.

In 2007, Palmerston North City Council purchased the land and after consultation the Kahuterawa Outdoor Recreational Area was created as an outdoor activity area close to Palmerston North City. A gate to keep out vehicles was placed at the end of Scotts Road and the Manawatu Mountain Bike Club became active in forming a network of trails. The area became formally know at Arapuke Forest Park in 2012. By 2009, it had become obvious that the old forest was becoming unstable in strong winds and many trails had to be abandoned due to windfall trees. PNCC decided that logging and replanting with log cycle time species such as Redwood, Gum and Kahikatea was the only option that ensured safety and meet the long term recreational goals. After the first harvest in 2011, a plan for mountain bike and walking trail development was developed and the first trails were cut by a digger in December 2011. Jumping Jack was born – a trail with swooping berms and table top jumps descending from the top of ZigZag Road for 700m.