MOUNTAINS TO SEA TRAIL MOUNTAINS TUROA WHANGANUI SKI FIELD NORTH MOLE 4-6 DAYS 317km Whanganui River Road BELOW LEFT: Mangapurua Trig; BOTH © Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail BELOW RIGHT: Bridge to Nowhere © Wanganui District Council MOUNTAINS Trail Info TO SEA Trail 4-6 Days From the fringes of Mt Ruapehu to the coastal Trail maps and brochures are available 317km shores of Whanganui, this trail features majestic from Ruapehu and Whanganui i-SITES, Department of Conservation offi ces and alpine mountains and native forest. various accommodation providers. The trail is well signposted with detailed TRAIL GRADES: he Mountains to Sea Cycle Park Village. Enjoying the stunning sign boards located at key locations OHAKUNE OLD COACH ROAD TO Trail uses a combination of scenery, riders traverse the alpine along the cycle trail to help guide you. MANGAPURUA TRIG local mountain biking trails, majesty of Mt Ruapehu, the historic A reasonable level of fi tness is required - GRADE 2 (EASY) - GRADE 3 T (INTERMEDIATE). public roads and a jet boat to take coach road and bridle trails and the to ride the entire trail. riders from the mountains of the Central tranquil indigenous forest of two NATIONAL PARK VILLAGE TO The Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail is a MANGAPURUA TRIG Volcanic Plateau to Whanganui and national parks that are rich in natural joint initiative involving the Ruapehu - GRADE 2 (EASY) - 4 (ADVANCED). the sea. and cultural heritage. The trail also takes KAIWHAKAUKA TRACK - GRADE 4. District Council, Whanganui Iwi, in the legendary Bridge to Nowhere that MANGAPURUA TRIG TO Starting from the Tongariro National Wanganui District Council, Department spans the Mangapurua Stream in the MANGAPURUA LANDING Park, you can choose to start your ride of Conservation and the New Zealand - GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE). Whanganui National Park. from either Ohakune or National Cycle Trail project. PIPIRIKI TO WHANGANUI - GRADE 2 (EASY). LOOK OUT FOR... MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Limited outside of Ohakune, Mangapurua Trig Bridge to Nowhere National Park and Whanganui. It’s recommended that you carry an The Mangapurua Trig is a great place to This large concrete bridge was completed While no roads lead to the bridge, it’s a emergency location device. stop for a break, with spring water and in 1936 and now stands in the bush in popular attraction that is accessible by DRINKING WATER: Potable toilets available. the middle of ... well ... nowhere. mountain bike, water is available at Ohakune, On a clear day tramping or a The bridge was built across the deep National Park Village, Whakahoro, the breathtaking boat or kayak Mangapurua Gorge to provide access for Taumarunui, Raetihi, Pipiriki and views take trip followed by a pioneering farmers. The intention was Whanganui. Boil water drawn from in Tongariro 45-minute walk to build roads to it later, but the area rivers and streams. National Park on maintained proved to be too remote. and Mt Taranaki. bush trails. 65 Turoa Ohakune Horopito Mangapurua Bridge to Pipiriki North Mole MOUNTAINS TO SEA TRAIL MOUNTAINS 16km Track Nowhere boat Whanganui 13km 43km 38km 28km 87km 4 47 Fishers Bridge to Nowhere, Mangapurua Track Track © Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail Whakahoro Oio Road National Park “A fantastic mountain bike Johnson’s Clearing Kaiwhakauka adventure from the central Track Tongariro plateau volcanoes, across MANGAPURUA Whanganui River Battleship Bluff Mangapurua Trig TRACK STARTS National Park massive viaducts and the 661m BRIDGE TO NOWHERE Ruatiti Bridge to Nowhere and Ruatiti Domain 4 down through Whanganui HOROPITO TUROA SKI FIELD National Park to the Tasman Sea.” 1 Whanganui Kennett Brothers OHAKUNE National Park Raetihi native bush into the Retaruke Valley 4 and along gravel roads to the War 49 PIPIRIKI Pipiriki-Raetihi Road Waiouru Memorial Monument at the junction of Upper Retaruke and Oio Rd. From here, MAP LEGEND Jerusalem continue along Oio Rd to Whakahoro open section and the start of the Kaiwhakauka Track. Ranana boat / water taxi route You will travel through farmland and Kawana Flour Mill native bush before connecting with the highway section Mangapurua Track (and the cycle trail AA Centre from Ohakune). Koriniti i-SITE Visitor Centre Mangapurua Trig to start / fi nish point Whanganui, 137km point of interest The two arms of the Mountains to Sea bridge Cycle Trail (from National Park Village and Ohakune) meet and become one hill / mountain 3 4 at the junction of the Kaiwhakauka and Aramoana café/restaurant Mangapurua Tracks (just before the Mangapurua Trig). toilets WHANGANUI Upokongaro camping The trail continues along the Mangapurua Track, dropping down 4 shelter CASTLECLIFF into the valley. You will pass remnants North Mole hut 3 of original settlements and the iconic accommodation Bridge to Nowhere. 1 state highway From here it’s only 3km to the Mangapurua Landing where you will © AA Traveller 2015 start your jet boat ride down the mighty Whanganui River to Pipiriki (76km). RIDING THE TRAIL After an hour of skimming though the gorges and rapids of the Whanganui The trail involves 4-to-6 days of riding over Coach Road to Horopito. This is a cobbled heads uphill through farmland and bush to River you’re back on your bike at Pipiriki, 317km. It’s recommended you start from route once used by horse-drawn coaches the Mangapurua Trig. following the Whanganui River Rd to Tongariro National Park. to transport passengers between the two Upokongaro. From here there is a short National Park Village to rail heads of the unfi nished main trunk ride along SH 4, before connecting with Ohakune Old Coach Road to Mangapurua Trig railway line. a dedicated cycle path that will take you Mangapurua Trig, 94km This alternative route starts at the National through the city to the end of your ride From Horopito, the trail follows rural roads From the Ohakune Railway Station, the Park Railway Station. The trail follows at the North Mole in Castlecliff. to the start of the Mangapurua Track and trail follows the historic Ohakune Old Fishers Track, descending through 66 things to do... TO SEA TRAIL MOUNTAINS The Barbary & Kayakers at the Maori Rock Carvings © Destination Great Lake Taupō Mountain Biking on Fishers Track near National Park Village LEFT: Rafting the Tongariro River. Both © ruapehunz.com Raetihi for Maori and early European settlers. ALONGSIDE THE TRAIL There is a lot to be heard and seen for Located in the heart of majestic birdwatchers with large numbers of landscapes, Raetihi is the ideal base kereru (native pigeon), fantails, tui, robin, to enjoy a raft of thrilling adventures. grey warbler and tomtit. Whio (blue The Whanganui River Road is an intimate Mt Ruapehu, the Whanganui River, duck) numbers are also increasing. Great water adventures await and adventurous ride through isolated the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and The historic river city, Whanganui, rests on the Whanganui River, communities. Of particular interest some of the gnarliest mountainbiking are the many beautifully preserved near the sea on the banks of the river and from canoeing and kayaking in New Zealand (just ask the Kennett marae. Visitors are welcome, although enjoys an international reputation for its to jet boating. brothers) are all within easy reach permission must always be obtained art, including its well-known glass art. before entering. Culture vultures will want to check out the Sarjeant Gallery, while the green- The village of Jerusalem/Hiruharama fi ngered will be impressed with the city’s Ohakune has been the home of two famous fi gures public gardens, including the Bason place to be careful • 36km S of National Park from New Zealand history – Mother Mary Botanic Gardens and Glen Logie Rose Aubert, whose Catholic mission remains Gardens. A private Garden of National today, and the poet James K Baxter, who Signifi cance is Paloma Gardens. established a retreat and commune in Jerusalem in the late 1960s. As well as fulfi lling the role of après ski town for the Turoa ski area, Ohakune Whanganui National Park has a is also known for its carrots – hence the landscape of river valley systems, steep enormous carrot icon on the eastern slopes, sharp ridges and an almost side of town. There are plenty of bars and complete cover of native lowland forest. restaurants to enjoy here and the town Flowing through wild lowland forests, can be used as a base for the national the mystical Whanganui River is New parks, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Zealand’s longest navigable waterway. Whanganui River adventures. It was once an important transport route Cycle Hire, shuttle service, luggage tranfersowhe and itinerary planning for the Ohakune Old Coach Road, Mangapurua / Bridge to Nowherez & Mountains60 Thames to SeaStreet, Cycle OHAKUNE Trail. www.mountainbikestation.co.nz Phone: 64 6 3858 797 Raetihi Email: [email protected] rae (promontory, high spot) tihi (summit) • 36km S of National Park on SH 4 MODERN, WELL-APPOINTED ROOMS & FACILITIES RRaetihiaetihi Cnr Mangawhero Terrace & Shannon HHolidayoliday PParkark Street, Ohakune Phone: 06 385 9144 Fax: 06 385 9148 Email: • The perfect base for your cycling adventure. www.thepeaks.co.nz [email protected] • We have a range of accommodation options and shuttles from the • Safe bike storage • Choice of cycle trails nearby door to cycle tracks in the region. • Close to the start of the Old • Full kitchen facilities in all units FREE • Our specialty is the Mangapurua/Bridge to Nowhere Track. Coach Road Trail • 23 units – 14 studio & 9 x WiFi • Book with us for accommodation, bike hire, shuttles and jet boat. • Bike cleaning facilities 1-bedroom • Free car parking while you are on your adventure. • Bikes for hire • Gym, sauna & spa pools RESERVATIONS FREEPHONE 0508 THEPEAKS (843 732) www.raetihiholidaypark.com • email: [email protected] • 0800 40 8888 67.