Motu Trails: which ride is for me?

One of the 23 great rides of Ngā Haerenga, New Zealand Cycle Trails

Discover the heartbeat of Tairāwhiti and experience first-hand the legendary Motu Trails. With four key trails to choose from and other side trails you can add-on or connect to, the Motu Trails is a deep dive into stunning wilderness, rich history, and the early settler life of the region. From easy to advanced trails, there’s a network of dream rides for every biker along the Motu Trails.

If you’re interested in the Motu / Pakihi or Dunes Trail, click here for more info.

To find information about trails in and around the Gisborne area , click here.

Looking for shuttle services for Pakihi from the Ōpōtiki side? Check out Motu Trails Shuttles

Looking for a shuttle service from Gisborne to Pakihi? Check out Cycle Gisborne

Rere Falls Trail - Intermediate/Grade 3

Distance: 100 km, mostly on-road trail with about 30km of gravel road and 9km of gravel trail.

Riding time: 1-3 days

Access points: Gisborne, Wharekopae Road, Te Wera Road, Matawai

Mobile phone coverage: very little

Mostly on-road and classified as a Heartland Ride on Nga Haerenga, New Zealand Cycle Trails, the Rere Falls Trail can be ridden from either direction as you explore the diverse landscape between Gisborne and Matawai. Journey along mostly quiet country roads and take in stunning natural gems including Rere Falls, Rere Rockslide and Eastwoodhill Arboretum. Experience genuine East Coast hospitality at Portside Hotel (Gisborne), Naurea Homestead (Patutahi), Eastwoodhill Arboretum (Rere), and Te Wera Homestead (Te Wera). Tours, bike hire, and shuttle services with Cycle Gisborne.

Coastal Waipaoa River Trail - Easy/Grade 2

Distance: 9 km, flat, gravel trail that forms part of Rere Falls Trail.

Riding time: 1-3 hours

Access points: Gisborne, Centennial Marine Drive, Tiniroto Road/SH2.

This new trail is 9km long (18km return), and a neat cruise beside the Waipaoa river. From Gisborne, ride the Oneroa Walk and Cycleway, then Centennial Marine Drive, which becomes gravel, to the mouth of the Waipaoa River, where the trail starts. You can drive to the start of the trail. The trail is all on river stopbank except one short section, where it drops to the river bed.

Motu Road Trail - Intermediate/Grade 3

Distance: 67 km (48 km of gravel)

Ride time: 1-2 days

Access points: Matawai, Motu, Jackson Road (end of Dunes Trail)

Mobile coverage: virtually none

Follow the journey of 100 years along the epic Motu Road Trail– which was the only formed road between Motu and Opotiki from 1915-1929. This one- or two-day journey traversing bush country and historic farmland can be ridden from either direction, though starting at the Motu village (southern) end means a lot more downhill! Accommodation at Motu Community House or The Weka Nest (both in Motu village) or camp at DOC’s Whitikau Forks campsite. Guided and Supported Tours with Cycle Gisborne. Bike hire and shuttle services with Cycle Gisborne, Motu Trails Ltd, Motu Trails Hire, & Shuttle.

Pakihi Track - Advanced/Grade 4

Distance: 20 km single-track + 23 km gravel/sealed road and Otara River Stopbank

Ride time: 3-5 hours

Access points: For cycling, the track is one-way, cyclists must start at Motu Road, 17 km from Motu, and ride to Pakihi Road. For walking the track is two-way.

Mobile phone coverage: none

The Pākihi Track is the ultimate backcountry adventure and takes you through lush wilderness with majestic ferns, nikau palms, and twenty-five scenic bridges - including a suspension bridge above the pristine Pākihi stream. This century-old trail was originally part of a horse track connecting Motu to Ōpōtiki. It is graded as advanced due to many drop-offs beside the track, and regular windfalls and rockfalls. You need sound biking skills and having a personal locater beacon (PLB) with you is advised. You can ride the 90km loop from Ōpōtiki over one or two days or take a shuttle to a high point along Motu Road to enjoy many kilometres of exhilarating downhill as you drop over 600 vertical metres. Cycle Gisborne, Motu Trails Ltd, and Motu Trails Hire and Shuttle offer group shuttle services.

Dunes Trail -Easy/Grade 2

Distance: 9 km each way

Ride time: 1.5-3 hrs

Access points: Memorial Park in Ōpōtiki, Hukuwai Beach, Tirohanga Beach Road and more

Mobile phone coverage: some intermittently

The Dunes Trail is all about relaxed group and family fun. Beginning at the iconic Pakowhai ki Otutaopuku bridge in Ōpōtiki, you’ll head out east for 9 km (or 10 if you want to connect with the Motu Road Trail. Discover a wide, undulating gravel trail, coastal vistas of the brilliant Pacific Ocean and the far ranges of East Cape on this popular short ride that everyone will enjoy.