The Pakihi Track

 

- a section of the official Motu Cycle Trails

 

 

If its a bit more exertion, challenge, real back country scenery and bush you seek, then the Pakihi track is what will suit you.

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No doubt about it, exercise gets the endorphins flowing, brings clarity of thought and banishes the blues.

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Option A Self drive. Really experienced cyclists leave the Wharf Hub bright and early, take the 10 km Dunes trail amidst the sand dunes, ride up the Motu Road until you reach the Pakihi Track Entrance, then its downhill through bush and alongside the river until you emerge at Pakihi Road and cycle back to The Wharf Hub. The round trip is 91 km. Bike hire from Motu Trails or Electric bikes from World Travel in town.

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​Option B  Is to join with the larger Motu Trails cycle hire who are just a block away, and they will transport you via the Waioeka Gorge to a drop of point some 6 km before the signed start of the Pakihi Track.  Cost is around  $65pp but they need 4+ people to operate.

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Option C Walking. Much of the best part of the Pakihi Track lies along the second half of the track. Here it hugs the river, there are many bridges, bush and even swimming holes.
Although promoted as a one way downhill cycle trail, there's an expansive car park and toilets at the end of the Pakihi Road, you leave your car here and walk up the track as far as you want to go. The Pakihi hut is about three hours walk up, two hours return back to your car.