This trail is permanently closed/decommissioned
more stats
2.0 miles
Distance
94 ft
Climb
-856 ft
Descent
00:10:33
Avg time
-762 ft
Altitude change
1,471 ft
Altitude min
2,235 ft
Altitude max
2,233 ft
Altitude start
1,473 ft
Altitude end
-7.4%
Grade
-58.6%
Grade max
26.1%
Grade min
1,355 ft
Distance climb
2 miles
Distance down
505 ft
Distance flat
00:10:33
Avg time

Eagle vs Shark Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
  • Riding Area
    Whakarewarewa Forest
    Rotorua
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Blue (1 vote)
  • Local Popularity
    65 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 75 in E-Biking
  • Global Ranking
    #78 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #1556 in E-Biking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1
  • TTFs on Trail
    Berm
  • Year Opened
    2014

Eagle vs Shark is a beauty. Fast and flowing, mainly downhill, a bit like Corners, a hint of Split Enz and a favourite in no time flat.The trail starts at the top of Tawa Road, one of the highest points in the forest. It winds down a steep slope, facing north, ending on Windy Road (which runs close to parallel to Tarawera Road).
The open areas of this trail can succumb to frost damage, so please avoid when frosty.

Access Info

Top of Tawa Road

Trail Supporters
Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 34 rides
  • 22.9 km avg distance
All
  • 1,265 rides
  • Last: Jan 9, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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Eagle vs Shark Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
May 14, 2026 @ 2:55pm (Pacific/Auckland)
May 13, 2026
 reporter Trail is still closed despite the entrance being opened up off skid site, Trail is very overgrown but will be dealt with in next couple of weeks RTT.
Apr 7, 2026 @ 7:46am (Pacific/Auckland)
Apr 6, 2026
Three of us work on EvS yesterday -- cleared several fallen trees and cut back overgrown veg. Did the lower 3/4 of the trail. Needs a rake and...
Apr 1, 2026 @ 8:23am (Pacific/Auckland)
Mar 31, 2026
 Basically unrideable. Rutted, massively overgrown, and a number of big trees down. Sad times.
Jan 23, 2026 @ 6:25am (Pacific/Auckland)
Jan 22, 2026
Small tree down across trail, can ride under. In forest section just after an uphill. Lower section of eagle vs shark can be ridden on weekends...
Jan 8, 2026 @ 8:27pm (Pacific/Auckland)
Jan 7, 2026
more »
Status:
on May 14, 2026
Avg: 4.74 (73 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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Slope Aspect
Direction the slope faces
Flat N NE E SE S SW W NW
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        Directions to eagle-vs-shark trailhead (-38.177520, 176.310310)

        Photos

        89 more »
        98 |
        Mar 26, 2025 @ 1:25pm
        Mar 26, 2025
        88 |
        Mar 26, 2025 @ 1:25pm
        Mar 26, 2025
        62 |
        Mar 26, 2025 @ 1:26pm
        Mar 26, 2025
        80 |
        Mar 26, 2025 @ 1:26pm
        Mar 26, 2025

        Videos

        31 more »
        youtuber Redwoods Rampage [Ep#86]
        16:25 | 733 | Nov 14, 2019 , Rotorua
        youtuber Eagle vs Shark 2.0 - The Legend Returns! [Ep#74]
        8:25 | 1330 | Mar 25, 2019 , Rotorua
        youtuber Eagle vs Shark @ Whakarewarewa Forest. Rotorua
        2:35 | 72 | Jan 5, 2026 , Rotorua
        youtuber Eagle v Shark @ Whakarewarewa Forest. Rotorua
        7:31 | 358 | Dec 4, 2023 , Rotorua

        Technical Trail Features (TTF)

        Routes with this trail

        695
        Planet Bike, Advanced Lake Ride
        18 miles • 3,188 ft • 13 • Loop •
        Lake ride, taking in Blue & Green Lake but adding in a bit of great flow trail before and the ever popular...
        230
        RMTBC E-Bike Social Ride Short 02/11/24
        16 miles • 3,368 ft • 6 • Loop •
        RMTBC E-Bike Social Ride Short 02/11/24
        302
        Te Poaka + EvS Loop
        8 miles • 1,886 ft • 6 • Loop •
        Short and sharp loop that takes in a couple of the very best trails the Rotorua has to offer, without...

        16 Reviews & Comments


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        Frequently Asked Questions About Eagle vs Shark

        ▼ Where is Eagle vs Shark located?
        Eagle vs Shark is located in Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua, New Zealand. It is part of the Whakarewarewa Forest trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates -38.17752, 176.31031.
        ▼ How hard is Eagle vs Shark?
        Eagle vs Shark is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 7.4%.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Eagle vs Shark?
        Eagle vs Shark has 94 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 856 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 1,471 ft to 2,235 ft.
        ▼ How long is Eagle vs Shark?
        Eagle vs Shark is 2.0 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.

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