GRADE: 6  LENGTH: 1km
BUILT: Originally built in 1994 by Rotorua MTB pioneers.
GETTING THERE: The Taniwha starts from the top of Tawa Rd. Ends on Hill road. The original track ends on Pipeline Rd through a new section built by Dave Hamilton and the Descend Rotorua crew after logging.
TRAIL DESCRIPTION: Teamline - top section (0.3km); Steepline - top section (0.3km); Looseline - top section (0.3km); Unrideable (0.3km); The River - Hill Rd; exit Direct Rd/Taniwha (0.1km);

Steep technical DH with optional big jumps and drops, fast and technical international level downhill race track.
This was the Rotorua DH venue for various nationals over the years and also the Oceanias in 2003 and an EWS stage in 2015.
The Taniwha continutes to be the venue for club and national races. Lots of new lines cut over the years.
Very weather proof. World class.
GETTING OUT: Ends on Hill rd. Turn left on Hill Rd. for a short flat ride then drop into Little Red Riding Huck. That is a mellower jump line track and will deliver you to the intersection of Pipeline and Hill roads with a nearby drinking water station, and the Shuttle pick up point.