Mountain Biking

Wades Landing Outdoors offers a shuttle service to and from any of the tracks below and also bike rentals with our partner Kiwi Mountain Bikes.

Please contact us for rates and more information.

Wades Landing Signature Track

Wades Landing Signature track starts and finishes at Wades Landing Lodge. The main track is 27 kilometres long with an extension loop of a further 4 kilometres if required. The track is classed as moderate and is ridden on well formed farm access ways.

Great views of the Tongariro National Park and surrounding areas. The ride also takes you past Ruawhaka cabin, an historic pioneer bushmans cabin.

Stay with Wades Landing Lodge, ride the 42 Traverse on the Saturday and ride the Wades Landing Signature track on the Sunday.

42nd Traverse

(6-8 hours)

Known as one of New Zealand’s eminent maintain biking trails, this track is hugely popular with trampers, hunters, off-road runners, and, between the months of December to April, 4WD enthusiasts alike.  The well-marked trail negotiates diverse terrain, such as stunning river valleys, native bush canopies, and open plains giving panoramic views of Mt. Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro.  The surrounding area is an active breeding ground for New Zealand’s iconic flightless bird, the kiwi.

The 42nd Traverse is an old logging road that is popular for the mountain bike enthusiast.  The typical way to do this ride is from south to north, starting at Kapoors Road on SH 47, which takes about 6-8 hours.  The trail includes a net descent of about 570 metres over about 46 km, ending in Owhango. 

The track surface varies from gravel to mud and there are several stream crossings. The scenery is absolutely spectacular, varying from panoramic views of all three volcanoes to lush unspoiled bush to an awesome view of Canyon Valley.

According to the book "Classic New Zealand Mountain Bike Rides" (ISBN 1-86956-011-6) this track is 34% gravel, 65% 4WD, and 1% unrideable and it is the best legal mountain bike adventure in the North Island.

Fishers Track (2 days)

Fast becoming as popular as the Traverse, the 120 km Fishers Track is a must for downhill junkies. Beginning by National Park Railway Station with a few kilometers of gradual uphill on a metal road, there are grand views of the Central Plateau and the Retaruke Valley before the track quickly descends 520m through native forest and a brilliant down hill farm track on to Kurua Road.

Ride 9 km out of the valley along the Upper Retaruke Road to the Monument’ at the intersection with Oio Road.

Having completed 17 km at this stage you can either arrange transport from here or carry on another 19 km up the sealed Oio Roadback to Owhango bearing in mind the famous Oio hill isn’t for the faint hearted!

Fishers Track forms part of the Mountain to Sea National Cycleway. It links up with the Bridge to Nowhere track in the Mangapurua Valley simply by taking a left at the ‘Monument’ and riding 26 km to Whakahoro where the Oio Road meets the Whanganui River. Whakahoro is a typical spot to rest before continuing up the Kaiwhakauka Valley and up on to the Bridge to Nowhere track.

Owhango Loop

(3.5 – 5 hours)
At 35 km this loop does require a decent map or set of instructions as there are myriad of tracks to negotiate.

The loop begins at the end of the 42nd Traverse but it is highly recommended you get advice from the locals at Wades Landing Lodge before embarking on this track.

Expect very slippery conditions during the winter months (and very sticky conditions even during summer) for the next 5-8km section of track before exiting at the Ten Man Hut.

From this point the track is lightly gravelled in most places and well used by quad bikes. A gradual climb of 10 km will see you exit on the 42 Traverse with approximately one hour of riding left before you hit Owhango again.

Pukehinau Loop

(2-3.5 hours)
This is an excellent 30 km loop track that can be ridden in either direction beginning either at Kapoors Road or John MacDonald Road. However, for first timers it is recommended to start from John MacDonalds Road for navigational purposes. Watch for logging trucks for the initial 4 km as the area is currently being milled, except on the weekends.

There are plenty of off-roads to check out including the Taurewa Loop if you have a decent map. Keep left at Danahars Road and start winding down through the bush till you reach the Okupata Caves. Take your headlamp as these are certainly worth a look. Shortly after this the road peters out and you enter a kilometre section of single track that exits onto one of the offshoots of the Traverse. Turn right and climb gradually for 15-20 minutes up on to the main Traverse Track then turn left and ride approximately 12 km out to the beginning of Kapoors Road.

Opotiki Road Loop

(3.5-5hrs)
If you want a decent look at the King Country landscape then this is the ride for you. Begin at the north bridge leaving Taumarunui and follow SH4 for 10 kilometres north before turning left onto Opotiki Road. The top of the Opotiki is 9 km from the highway and after an easy start the road climbs tightly up through the Rangi Reserve.

Exiting the bush at the top the road drops down into the Otunui Valley and changes into Ararimu East Road. Follow this undulating section though to Otunui past the school then take a left at Kururau Road which climbs steadily up past farmland and forestry before reaching the summit where views of Taumarunui and the volcanic plateau in the background can be enjoyed.

After an excellent downhill off the summit a small climb over Hospital Hill will end your ride back in Taumarunui. The Opotiki Loop is often used by local mountain bikers as a decent training ride before the renowned Kururau Krusher event in February.

The Pines

The Pines could best be described as a mini ‘Woodhill’ as it offers 20 km of old logging tracks plus a few specifically built single tracks. Access is via the railway from National Park or 4 km south of National Park opposite the old Waikune prison where you follow narrow sealed road into an old mill clearing.

This is a great spot for family entertainment as all tracks eventually loop back to the mill clearing and the terrain is relatively flat. If the weather is too rough for the 42 Traverse try the Fishers Track or you just want to have a play, you won’t be disappointed with the Pines as the trails are not unduly affected by rain.

Rangataua Forest             

Start at the Rangataua Village rail tracks and follow the 4WD and old logging tracks.

Ruatiti Road

This track covers a scenic 16 km of sealed road from SH4 downhill to the Ruatiti Domain.  Picnic, BBQ, and camping facilities are available at the Domain and this trail is suitable for families.

Please remember to thoroughly clean your bike before and after trips to avoid spreading weeds and diseases.

http://www.visitruapehu.co.nz/content/library/Great_Rides_Brox.pdf