The Motu Trails offers it all. Discover a place where your perfect ride is a journey of freedom and adventure...
- Riding the Trail
- Plan & Prepare
- Services & Accommodation
- Best Time to Ride
- Getting There
- Trail Partners
Riding the Trail
With three trails to choose from (or the option of combining them all) the Motu Trails offer a range of cycling itineraries, depending on your age, fitness level and riding ability. These include an easy there and back ride along the coast, a longer point to point ride from Matawai to Opotiki and a loop ride from Opotiki that includes a challenging section for mountain bikers. Visit the Motu Trails website for more detailed information including maps, elevation profiles and trail conditions.
The Dunes Trail (9.5km)
This beautiful trail starts at the Pakowhai Bridge (Memorial Park Reserve) in the township of Opotiki and meanders along a spectacular stretch of coast to Jackson Road (where it connects with the Old 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 trail that caters for cyclists of all abilities and fitness levels, providing for an ideal family day out. The trail has an easy gradient that is enjoyed by walkers, runners and cyclists. The return journey of 19 km can be comfortably ridden in one day from either end – with plenty of time to stop for a swim and a picnic along the way.
The Dunes Trail also provides a great warm up for those preparing to tackle the more challenging Motu Road Trail.
The Motu Road Trail (78 km)
The Motu Road Trail follows the historic coach road from Matawai (600m above sea level in the Raukumara ranges) down to the Bay of Plenty coast. Opened in 1914, this road provided the first vehicle access through the ranges between Poverty Bay and the Bay.
This is an intermediate trail through remote bush country wilderness. It includes a number of moderate hill climbs that require a reasonable level of fitness. The trail can be ridden in either direction – though you’ll get the best views (and more downhill riding) starting from Matawai.
From the Matawai Hotel your ride begins with a gentle and relatively flat 14 km ride to the tiny township of Motu. Here you can make a short 5 km detour to visit the beautiful Motu Falls for a swim and a picnic.
Back on your bike, there is a steep 3 km climb waiting for you just beyond Motu, but the breath taking views you’ll enjoy from the top make it all worth it! From here, the trail follows the easy 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 into Opotoiki.
Avid mountain bikers seeking a more challenging ride to Opotiki can divert off the Motu Road on to the more advanced the Pakihi Track.
Pakihi Track (44 km)
This legendary Māori trail later became a horse track used by European settlers crossing the divide. It fell largely into disuse after the coach road was opened, but as part of the Motu Trails, it now provides a wonderful wilderness ride that has few equals.
The start of the Pakihi Track is approximately 29 km along the Motu Road Trail from Matawai (about halfway) and is well signposted. This track provides a more challenging alternative to Motu Road Trail for those riding from Matawai to Opotiki or, if you're starting and ending your ride in Opotiki, it makes up part of the 91 km loop trail.
The track includes 20 km of advanced off-road riding through splendid isolation. The largely downhill track takes you through magnificent bush, with wonderful panoramas that will demand many stops in order to truly appreciate the view. The trail crosses some 25 bridges, including a 35-metre swing bridge.
Reaching the lower sections of the Pakihi Track, the trail hugs the river and the only sound accompanying the hum of your wheels will be the steady flow of water cascading down numerous waterfalls.
The Pakihi Road marks your return to civilisation with a 24 km road ride, including 7 km of gravel, through bush and farmland to Opotiki.
This is an advanced cycle trail that requires a reasonable level of fitness and a high level of technical expertise to ride. The off-road section of track is narrow in places with numerous steep gradients and drop-offs that require a cautious approach.
The Pakihi Track can be ridden in either direction but the most fun will be had riding from the start off Motu Road.
Plan & Prepare
The Motu Trails traverse a fairly remote area of New Zealand - so if you're planning a long ride you will need to go well prepared.
Check the weather forecast as it can be changeable - especially inland at Matawai. You should carry warm wind and waterproof clothing with you no matter how long you're planning to ride.
The upper section of the Pakihi Track and the Motu Road Trail can be damp and cold in the depths of winter. Contact one of the i-SITEs to check on trail conditions if you're planning a ride at this time of the year.
Remember that all roads are open to the public so you should expect to encounter vehicles at any time. The Motu Road Trail follows a 4-wheel drive track that is also open to vehicles.
Take care crossing fords after heavy rain (there are two fords on the Motu Roads Trail).
Be aware that the Pakihi Track section of the Motu Trails is an advanced ride that should only be ridden by experienced mountain bikers.
Services & Accommodation
Opotiki and Gisborne have a range of cafes, shops and accommodation at the start or end of your ride - but there is not much else in between, so you need to stock up on supplies before you head off.
Matawai, at the start of the Motu Road Trail is a small rural settlement with a store, cafe, service station, hotel and campground, for any last minute purchases. There is also a small dairy located at Tirohanga, on the Dunes Trail. On the trail itself there is accommodation available at Motu, Totoa, Bushaven and a 6-bunk Department of Conservation hut on the Pakihi Track.
It's recommended that you carry all your water. Tank water is available at Motu and water can be drawn from the river and streams along the route, though it is recommended that this is boiled (3 min) filtered or treated before drinking.
Toilets are available at the Hikuwai Reserve on the Dunes Trail, Matawai, Motu and at the start and end of the Pakihi Track.
Mobile phone coverage is fairly non-existent outside Opotiki and Gisborne.
Visit the Directory page on the Motu Trails website for more information about accommodation and other services along the trail.
Best Time to Ride
The Dunes Trail near Opotiki is ridable all year round, whilst the upper sections of the Pakihi Track and the Motu Road Trail can be expected to be damp and cold in the depths of winter. It is best to check with the tourism offices in either Gisborne or Opotiki for current conditions.
Getting There
Opotiki is the northern gateway to the East Cape located in the heart of the Bay of Plenty. Gisborne, at the north end of Poverty Bay, is New Zealand's eastern most city and the first city in the world to see the sun each day. You can catch a bus to Opotiki and Gisborne is serviced by daily bus and air connections to and from other main centres in the North Island.
Matawai, where the Motu Road Trail starts, is located approximately 70 km north-west of Gisborne and 70 km south of Opotiki on State Highway 2. A shuttle drop-off (and pick-up) to the start of the Motu Road Trail is available from Opotiki (and will soon be available from Gisborne too).
Trail Partners
The Motu Trails project is a joint initiative of the Opotiki District Council, Department of Conservation, Gisborne District Council, Whakatohea Maori Trust Board and the New Zealand Cycle Trail project.
