The Tukituki River Trail extension is open and almost complete. We started our exploratory ride at Russell Park in Waipukurau. The new limestone trails are excellent with a good solid base. The loop took us as far as the Ashcott Bridge before we returned on the opposite side of the river. Distance 35kms.

Before rejoining the limestone river bank trail, there are rough river tracks which are a bit tricky to follow. There is a decision to make – ride on State Highway 2 to visit Hatuma Café for refreshments or to continue along the riverbank trail. We chose the former. After the café, we rejoined the trail from (either Coughlan Road or) James Street. To complete a figure 8 loop, we continued along the trail towards Waipawa, and returned to Waipukurau via the concrete pathway that runs alongside State Highway 2. Here is a current map of the Tukituki Trail.

A short detour to the end of the northern side of the trail, brings you to the short walking track to the Lindsay Water Tunnel.

The route surface was a mixture of mainly limestone. Plus dirt/mud track, concrete and tarseal. Once the swing bridge is reinstated at the Waipawa end (it got washed out in flooding earlier this year), it will make for pleasant trail riding.

We were very lucky with the beautiful blue sky winter day.

Photo Credits: G Spiers and H Wenley