1 Day Kaikohe HQ - Downhill to either coast
Approx 4 Hours riding each way
- WEST COAST MANGUNGU – Shuttle pick up – 3 pm.
- EAST COAST FROM OPUA MARINA CAFE CARPARK Fri/Sat/Sun and at 3.30 pm (8th Dec – 11th Feb 2024 – 7 Days a week)
- all other days EAST COAST FROM KAWAKAWA TE HONONGA CENTRE CARPARK at 3pm.
- Standard Bike + Shuttle $115/ person $85 per child
- Ebike + Shuttle $180/person
- Includes helmets
We suggest that you park your vehicle safely with us at base in Kaikohe which is also the highest point of the trail! Tipene will get you sorted on one of our new fleet of Bikes for ultimate riding comfort, whether it be Ebike or standard trail bike, as well as information and all you need to get started. Leaving Kaikohe between 9 am and 10 am to enable you enough time on the trail to be in time for the shuttle pick up at either end – timing dependent on dates see above.
Kaikohe to Horeke – Mangungu Mission
Riding the western section of the trail you will cycle 42kms, Kaikohe to Historic Mangungu Mission House Horeke on the West coast of Northland. Follow ancient pathways Maori used to travel from coast to coast. The trail meanders from central high ground down to sea level. Tunnel, lake farm and bush land. A stunning ride!
This easy grade 1-3 ride passes through an old rail tunnel, skirts lake Omapere and takes you through the town of Okaihau before heading on down to Horeke. You will see farmland, rivers and native bush before arriving at Horeke home to the oldest hotel in New Zealand and the historic Mangungu Mission house.
Riding along the old rail corridor to Okaihau where a number of refreshment stops are available. You then ride on out of town, down into the Utakura valley and alongside the river through some fabulous native bush, time for a picnic and a stop at Snow’s farm, homemade goodies from the food kiosk there Riding on through early settled farmland and on to the boardwalk which takes you over the mangroves at the top edge of the Hokianga Harbour to Horeke where a short ride on gets you to the historic Mangungu Mission House and your shuttle pick up point!
Accommodation options
We are happy to recommend accommodation for your time on the trail please ask info@toptrail.co.nz if you are in need of suggestions.
Kaikohe to Kawakawa/Opua
Riding the Eastern half of the trail between Kaikohe and Kawakawa/ Taumarere is almost all on old rail corridor 45 kms of easy riding.
THE EASTERN END FROM KAWAKAWA THROUGH TO OPUA ONLY ON Fri/Sat/Sun TRAINS ARE BEING USED TO “JOIN THE 3KM GAP” IN THE TWIN COAST CYCLE TRAIL.
- MEET THE TRAIN AT KAWAKAWA AT 1.50PM (COST$15 PP)
OR
- MEET AT TAUMARERE AT 2.20 PM FOR TRANSFER TO AKE AKE (LONE COW) STATION (GOLD COIN DONATION)
STANDARD SHUTTLE PICK UP WILL BE THEN BE 3.30 pm IN OPUA MARINA CAFE CARPARK
MON/TUES/WED/THURS PICK UP IS IN KAWAKAWA AT TE HONONGA CENTRE AT 3PM
8th DEC 2023 – 11th FEB 2024 THE TRAIN IS RUNNING DAILY
THE TRAIN LEAVES ON TIME – DON’T BE LATE!
- Depart Kawakawa station – 2pm
- Depart Taumarere station – 2.25pm
- Arrive Ake Ake station – 2.40pm
Please be aware there may be occasions when the train is not running (break downs etc) – this will mean that you cannot ride this piece of the trail – if shuttling with us we will inform you and the pick-up will change to Kawakawa Te Hononga centre at 3 pm
Mon/Tues/Weds/Thurs
The trail between Taumarere to Opua is closed until further notice
The closure continues the project that will eventually see railway tracks and a cycle trail to run alongside, so that trains and bikes/walkers can travel between Kawakawa and Ōpua..
This gives you only 34kms of riding from Kaikohe downhill to kawakawa. The pick-up location is in the Te Hononga Centre car park, in Kawakawa township, we do suggest you ride through to Taumarere Railway Station (4.5kms further past kawakawa) and then turn around and ride back to kawakawa (Te Hononga Centre car park) for your pick up. The scheduled time for the standard shuttle will be 3.00 pm – however, we are able to accommodate a different time if needed – just ask us!
Trail details – As you drop down from the highest point at Kaikohe you will pass Kaikohe Aerodrome built in 1942 as a US Marines bomber base, still in use by general aviation. This ride passes through rural Northland, the stunning Orauta Stream suspension bridges, waterfalls, cycle past Marae.
Ride through the fabulous town of Kawakawa that has so much to offer, culturally, and historically – excellent eateries and a good place to stop for a while.
Accommodation options
We are happy to recommend accommodation for your time on the trail please ask info@toptrail.co.nz if you are in need of suggestions.
