Ōkaihau to Hōreke
The wild western side of the trail. Traverse down the Utakura Valley to enjoy stunning sweeping views of the Hokianga.
Distance: 28km
Grade: 2-3
Trail highlights
- Storyboards on Settlers Way/Hōreke Road
- Panoramic views looking out toward Puketī Forest
- Cycling through the valley beside the Utakura River, is a great stop for a rest at the picnic spot
- Lily pond adjacent to the trail
- 1km boardwalk through the mangroves
- Māngungu Mission House – a surreal location which is rich in history with spectacular views of the harbour
- Wairere Boulders just a few kilometres off the trail
Trail overview
- Ōkaihau is a small settlement that services its nearby rural community. There is a café, takeaways, small supermarket and public toilets.
- Heading south-west out of town for a few kilometres, the trail is beside the road. You will pass by lots of points of interest, churches and the War Memorial gates, all with storyboards near them which are well worth stopping to read.
- Once you move off the roadside, you enter farmland and an amazing view down the Utakura Valley, heading down the trail via a series of switchbacks to a beautiful part of the trail cycling along the beside the Utakura River surrounded by bush-clad hills
- Coming out of the farmland the trail is by the roadside before you come to the 1km boardwalk through the mangrove estuary to Hokianga Harbour.
- At the end of the boardwalk the trail shares the road for approx 3km to the trail end at Māngungu Mission House – a heritage site
- Māngungu Mission house (1838-39) overlooks the stunning Hokianga Harbour, furnished with missionary items and relics of the days. It is a hidden treasure and definitely worth a visit.
- Wairere Boulders, a few kilometres from Hōreke, is worth a visit – great walks, swimming hole, cafe and accommodation
The Basics
- Toilet 12 km from Ōkaihau or 16 kms from Hōreke is at the river picnic spot
- Lovely picnic spot at the toilet by the river, with tables, old tractors dotted around and roving roosters and chickens
- Grade 3 trail, it is easier to cycle from Ōkaihau to Hōreke as a descending ride down into the valley
- Detour info – There is a detour on Hōreke Road which requires cyclists to ride on the road for approximately 500m before re-joining the formed trail
Important – Don’t forget to lock your bike!
Parking
Ōkaihau
- Two Ponga Park (next to public toilets), Ōkaihau
- Ōkaihau Community Hall, Settlers Way, Ōkaihau
Hōreke
- Secured parking off Harrison Road (near picnic area off Hōreke Road), 11kms from Ōkaihau to Harrison Road in Utakura
- Hōreke Hall Carpark, Hōreke Road, Hōreke– small carpark
- Māngungu Mission Station, Hōreke – small carpark