The Pou Herenga Tai (Twin Coast Cycle Trail) is located in the Bay of Islands, Northland – at the top of the North Island Of New Zealand. The trail can be ridden in either direction but you may prefer to descend the 2kms of the steep switchback from Okaihau to Horeke. The landscape is varied, from native bush, forest, scrub and farmland. Occasional glimpses of the harbour edge, creeks and a lake.
For maps and more details: Twin Coast Cycle Trail
Review: Twin Coast Cycle Trail. 8th to 14th February 2020
Twin Coast Cycle Trail: Horeke to Opua
Trail Distance:87 Kms
Number of Riders: 18 + group leader.
Tour Operator: Bay Tours and Charters Hawke’s Bay
Accommodation: Kingsgate Autolodge, Paihia
Background.
The Twin Coast Cycle Trail is a grade 1 /2/ 3 off road trail in the Bay of Islands, Northland. The trail is described in 4 different sections.
Our Ride
There was a mixture of bikes (5 regular bikes, remainder e-bikes), age of riders and abilities. Four riders are members of the E-bike Social Riders Hawkes Bay group. The weather stayed hot and dry throughout our visit.
Day 1 28kms. Two Ponga Park, Okaihau to Mangungu Mission House
Grade 2 & 3. This was the hardest day and the most interesting. The initial 2 kms descent is via a steep switchback. From the Utakura Valley we cycled through native bush and farmland, and alongside a stream. There is a picnic spot and toilet by a river. There is a 1.2km wide boardwalk that crosses a mangrove estuary on the edge of Hokianga Harbour as we approached Horeke. Picnic lunch at Mangungu Mission House.
The group soon became spread out as everyone found their own pace.
The trail surface is mainly loose metal.
Day 2 Section 1. 14kms. Two Ponga Park, Okaihau to Kaikohe
Grade 1 & 2. Follows a disused narrow rail corridor. Glimpses of Lake Omapere. Long, 80 metres, curved rail tunnel built in 1915. Be sure to take sunglasses off and turn lights on. A second shorter tunnel was signposted closed with a detour going over the top of the tunnel. The detour grade was extremely steep with a loose metal surface, and unsuitable for pushing heavy ebikes uphill. Fortunately, the gates at the tunnel were open and we passed through without any incidents. The group lunch at “Mint Restaurant at Left Bank” was very enjoyable.
Day 2 Section 2. 11kms. Kawakawa to Opua
Grade 1. Highlight is reaching Taumarere Station and riding over the Long Bridge.
Day 3. 34kms. Kaikohe to Kawakawa.
Grade 1 and 2. Kaikohe is the highest town on the trail. This trail starts off wide as it descends gently through farmland. The highlight is the Suspension Twin Bridges at Tuhipa. The trail becomes narrow as it follows the quiet country roads, and there are multiple road crossing points to keep an eye out for.
Closeout.
The quality of the trail surfaces could be greatly improved. Much of the trail surface was covered with loose metal and I strongly recommend knobbly tyres to cope with this. Some parts were concrete and some parts dirt (which I think may eventually be covered with loose metal). Once the loose metal is bedded in, the surface may become safer and smoother.
There must be a good reason, but I found it strange to find that many of the cattle stops had a wooden post implanted in the middle of the entry/exit, which necessitated dismounting. I had to get my bike through at an angle due to the width of my pedals.
The trail was well sign-posted. Cell phone reception was patchy. There are none of those awful Hawkes Bay box gates, instead there are reasonable squeeze gates.
The scenery was fantastic in places and otherwise ho-hum. I was grateful for the rare shade from trees.
We had excellent support from the ride leader and the tour drivers. The loading of the bikes onto the truck after each ride was a careful and swift exercise. The trip on either side of the Twin Coast Cycle Trail riding, was very well organised and very enjoyable.
We had one flat front tyre which was quickly attended to and a replacement tube was installed. It turned out to be a loose tube valve and fortunately a group member had a valve tightening tool.
We had several injuries with riders coming off bikes. One was serious and required medical attention. The backup drivers were nearby and very ably got the rider to the nearest medical centre.
Hawkes Bay still has the best trails!!
Helen Wenley
With thanks to Kerren, Ken and Peter (Bay Tours and Charters Hawke’s Bay) for looking after us all extremely well. The tour accommodation was superb. The side trips and food places were great. And it was very well organised. 10 out of 10.
Side trips:
Sunset at Russell:
History of Paihia
Hawkes Bay Ebike Rides 