Page 8 - 2020-ETEC-eBook

Motu Road Trail
THINGS TO SEE & DO IN OUR REGION - MOTU TRAILS
Grade: Intermediate/Grade 3
Distance: 78 km
Estimated Riding Time: 4-7 hours
Access Points: Jackson Road or Matawai
Recommended Riding Direction: Matawai
to Ōpōtiki
From Matawai your ride begins with a gentle
and relatively flat 14 km ride on a sealed road
to the tiny settlement of Motu where there is
a shelter and toilets, the Motu Community Motu Road Trail - Photo by David Finn
House for self-catering accommodation (see
advert below) and Motu-Vation Café (see advert page 58) for refreshments. Here you can make a
short 5 km detour to visit the beautiful Motu Falls for a swim and a picnic or Whinray Scenic Reserve
for a 12 km return bushwalk.
Motu Community House: Self-catering accom.(up to 10 people) on Motu Trails.
18 Motu Falls Rd. Ph 06 862 8736 or 06 863 5804.
Email Shelley.paul@xtra.co.nz or rakanui@xtra.co.nz
Back on your bike, there is a 3 km climb just beyond Motu, but the breath-taking views
from the top make it all worth it! You can alternatively get a shuttle drop-off to the top. From
here, the trail follows the contours of the ridgeline, where you’ll enjoy lots of freewheeling.
On the way you will come across Toatoa Farmstay. Then it’s mostly downhill en route to the
coast where the Motu Trail connects with the Dunes Trail to take you into Ōpōtiki.
Toatoa Farmstay Accommodation: Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and packed Lunch.
Very Safe Parking in Opotiki. Meet all needs. Just ask.
Ph 07-315 8340 www.toatoaaccommodation.co.nz
Note! Avid mountain bikers seeking a more challenging ride to Opotiki can divert off the
Motu Road Trail 17 kms from Motu on to the more advanced Pakihi Track. This junction is
well signposted.
Pakihi Track
Grade: Advanced/Grade 4
Distance: 44 km
Estimated Riding Time: 3 - 5 hours
Access Points: Motu Road ~ 17 km from Motu
Riding Direction: Motu Road - Ōpōtiki
This track is the most challenging on the Motu
Trails, with a grade-4 or ‘Advanced’ rating.
Although there are no uphills to tackle and the
surface is generally easy, in places the track is
narrow, with drop-offs alongside. To enjoy this
wonderful backcountry track, you need to be
confident riding off road, and be ready to walk
some sections of trail. Take your time — it’s truly Rest stop on the Pakihi Track
incredible, beautiful country.
The Pakihi Hut comes at roughly the halfway mark, followed soon after by the spectacular
8 Pakihi suspension bridge. At the end of the track, you may choose to stay at Weka Wilds. Or,