Motu Trails
As one of the country’s 23 Great Rides, Motu Trails offers you fabulous cycling and walking opportunities. Choose from the family-friendly Dunes Trail, the historic Motu Road, and the classic adventure of Pakihi Track. For a longer journey, add Rere Falls Trail.
You can ride all the trails in one big loop, if you wish, staying at Motu Community House or Pakihi hut. During peak periods, shuttles may be available, with the option of a hilltop drop-off. Experience & Cycle Gisborne offers a range of tour options. Wherever you go, this is an area rich in history, and in key places interpretation boards tell the stories of Maori and early settlers. Be set free!
You can ride all the trails in one big loop, if you wish, staying at Motu Community House or Pakihi hut. During peak periods, shuttles may be available, with the option of a hilltop drop-off. Experience & Cycle Gisborne offers a range of tour options. Wherever you go, this is an area rich in history, and in key places interpretation boards tell the stories of Maori and early settlers. Be set free!
Dunes TrailGrade: Easy/Grade 2
Distance: 20 km return Estimated Riding Time: 2 -3 hours Access Points: Snell Road, Hikuwai Reserve, Pukeariki Beach Reserve, Wairakaia Road or Tirohanga Beach Road. Recommended Riding Direction:Memorial Park Reserve to Jackson Road and return |
Dunes Trail Tirohanga Beach
- Photo by Jamie Troughton
|
Starting at the Pakowhai ki Otutaopuku Bridge at Memorial Park Reserve, the trail meanders along a spectacular stretch of coast to a shelter at the 9 km point, then Jackson Road and the start of the Motu Road Trail. Hugging the sand dunes, the trail provides excellent vantage points from which to enjoy unspoilt views of the Pacific Ocean and rugged hinterland of the East Cape.
This is an easy (grade 2) trail that caters for cyclists of all abilities and fitness levels, providing an ideal family day out. The trail has an easy gradient that is enjoyed by walkers, runners and cyclists. The return journey is 18km. Right on the edge of the trail is a great holiday base Tirohanga Beach Holiday Park. To add a little extra distance, turn off the Dunes Trail after half a kilometre, and ride the Pakihikura Harbour Trail, this is clearly signed. Another great add-on is to ride the Waioweka and Waiotahe Trails, which take you right past another great holiday base, Opotiki Holiday Park and Island View Holiday Park, out to Te Ahiaua Reserve (the Pipi Beds).
This is an easy (grade 2) trail that caters for cyclists of all abilities and fitness levels, providing an ideal family day out. The trail has an easy gradient that is enjoyed by walkers, runners and cyclists. The return journey is 18km. Right on the edge of the trail is a great holiday base Tirohanga Beach Holiday Park. To add a little extra distance, turn off the Dunes Trail after half a kilometre, and ride the Pakihikura Harbour Trail, this is clearly signed. Another great add-on is to ride the Waioweka and Waiotahe Trails, which take you right past another great holiday base, Opotiki Holiday Park and Island View Holiday Park, out to Te Ahiaua Reserve (the Pipi Beds).
|
Oasis Accommodation
30 King St. Ph 07-315 5165. Come home to a charming, friendly place after an exciting day out on the Motu Trails. |
Pakihi Track - Photo by Strike Photography
|
Motu Road TrailGrade: Intermediate/Grade 3
Distance: 78 km Estimated Riding Time: 4-7 hours Access Points: Jackson Road or Matawai Recommended Riding Direction: Matawai to Opotiki |
From Matawai your ride begins with a gentle and relatively flat 14 km ride on a sealed road to the tiny settlement of Motu where there is a shelter and toilets, the Motu Community House (see advert below) and Te Awa Lodge for accommodation. Here you can make a short 5 km detour to visit the beautiful Motu Falls for a swim and a picnic or Whinray Scenic Reserve for a 12 km return bushwalk.
|
Back on your bike, there is a 5km climb just beyond Motu village, while it’s long it is never too steep. The ride then follows the contours of the ridgeline, where you’ll enjoy lots of freewheeling. Then it’s mostly downhill en route to the coast where the Motu Road Trail connects with the Dunes Trail to take you another 9km into Ōpōtiki.
Note! Avid mountain bikers seeking a more challenging ride to Opotiki can divert off the Motu Road Trail 17 kms from Motu on to the more advanced Pakihi Track. This junction is well sign-posted.
Note! Avid mountain bikers seeking a more challenging ride to Opotiki can divert off the Motu Road Trail 17 kms from Motu on to the more advanced Pakihi Track. This junction is well sign-posted.
Pakihi Track is the most challenging on the Motu Trails, with a grade-4 'Advanced' rating. Although there are no uphills and the surface is generally well-formed, in places the track is very narrow, with steep drop-offs alongside. The track suits riders who have experience and are able to ride an accurate line in full control on loose surfaces. Some sections must be walked, and you usually need to lift/carry your bike short sections. Take your time — it's beautiful country.
Pakihi Hut (six bunks and covered verandah) comes halfway down the track, followed soon after by the spectacular Pakihi swing bridge. The ride back to Ōpōtiki along 9 kms of gravel road, then the sealed, straight Otara Road until you reach Te Rere Pā Road near Ōpōtiki, from where you can follow the Otara River stopbank back to the start of the Dunes Trail.
Note! For safety, the Pakihi Track is one-way for cyclists. You must ride from the Motu Road towards Ōpōtiki, not the other way. It is not a trail to be ridden at high speed. For walking/running, the track is two way. For trail conditions check www.motutrails.co.nz.
Pakihi Hut (six bunks and covered verandah) comes halfway down the track, followed soon after by the spectacular Pakihi swing bridge. The ride back to Ōpōtiki along 9 kms of gravel road, then the sealed, straight Otara Road until you reach Te Rere Pā Road near Ōpōtiki, from where you can follow the Otara River stopbank back to the start of the Dunes Trail.
Note! For safety, the Pakihi Track is one-way for cyclists. You must ride from the Motu Road towards Ōpōtiki, not the other way. It is not a trail to be ridden at high speed. For walking/running, the track is two way. For trail conditions check www.motutrails.co.nz.
Pakihi TrackGrade: Advanced/Grade 4
Distance: 44 km Estimated Riding Time: 3 - 5 hours Access Points: Motu Road ~ 17 km from Motu Recommended Riding Direction: Motu Road - Opotiki |
|
By linking the Rere Falls Trail with the Motu Road Trail, you can make a stunning journey from coast to coast, traversing Eastland. The Rere Falls Trail is mostly sealed and gravel road, travelling 95km from Gisborne to Matawai, at which point you’re onto the Motu Trails.
Highlights on the trail include the Coastal Waipaoa River Trail section, Gisborne vineyards, Eastwoodhill Arboretum, Rere Falls, and Rere Rockslide. You can ride either direction. A range of tours and group shuttles are available from Experience & Cycle Gisborne. Eastwoodhill Arboretum offers accommodation and parkover facilities.
Highlights on the trail include the Coastal Waipaoa River Trail section, Gisborne vineyards, Eastwoodhill Arboretum, Rere Falls, and Rere Rockslide. You can ride either direction. A range of tours and group shuttles are available from Experience & Cycle Gisborne. Eastwoodhill Arboretum offers accommodation and parkover facilities.
Eastwoodhill Aboretum - Photo by Mead Norton
|
Rere Falls TrailGrade: Intermediate
Distance: 170km Estimated riding time: 2-5 days Start/finish: Gisborne, Opotiki |
Motu Trail Cycleway
Motu Trails is rideable all year, though in winter expect Motu Road and Pakihi Track to be cold and often damp. For current trail conditions, check www.motutrails.co.nz and look under ‘experience’, or email [email protected], or Facebook message Motu Trails Cycleway.
The Motu Trails traverse a fairly remote area - so if you're planning a long ride you will need to go well prepared.
[email protected]
Ōpōtiki i-SITE Visitor Centre, 70 Bridge Street, Ōpōtiki. P 07-3153031
Gisborne i-SITE Visitor Centre, 209 Grey Street, Gisborne. P 06-867 2000
The Motu Trails traverse a fairly remote area - so if you're planning a long ride you will need to go well prepared.
- Check out www.motutrails.co.nz for full information, maps and more.
- Visit https://www.facebook.com/motutrails for trail updates, news, photo's and more
- Please support Motu Trails official partner businesses as they support the Trails. See
the directory at www.motutrails.co.nz
[email protected]
Ōpōtiki i-SITE Visitor Centre, 70 Bridge Street, Ōpōtiki. P 07-3153031
Gisborne i-SITE Visitor Centre, 209 Grey Street, Gisborne. P 06-867 2000
