Tracks - Manawatu Mountain Bike Club

LOGGING Operations at KAHUTERAWA

The public are advised that LOGGING will take place at Woodpecker Forest (Kloop) over SUMMER from Dec to May until 2013.

Kloop may be CLOSED DURING THE WEEK

OPEN WEEKENDS for Riding.

(That is area in the pine forest at the top and down to the Backs bridge)

Please obey all signage.

Week day/night Riding

If you ride out there during the week, your ride will be restricted to a climb up Back track and return by same route. Back track has been cleared and widened by council and will make this a safer ride for 2 way traffic, but please control your speed on the descent and watch for other users.

Weekend Riding

Some areas may be restricted access and you may need to return the way you came. Stay away from machinery at all times.

Where to Ride in Manawatu

If you have been fortunate to be able to attend any of the Mountain Bike club rides you will have ridden many of the areas available to us. In case you’ve missed out on the club rides here are a few details for some of the tracks and riding areas in the Manawatu.

Bridle Track, Palmerston North

For all riders, 1-2 hours, 10-20km+.
For all riders, 1-2 hours, 10-20km+. The bridle track is a great beginner ride for families and young children. It runs along the riverside from Te Matai Rd through to Maxwells Line. Read More...

Greens Rd (Dam Block), Palmerston North

For all riders, 1-2 hours, 10-20km return.
Ride or drive out to the end of Turitea Rd, off Old West Rd, park just before the bridge. Head over the bridge and up to your right. Follow this gravel road all the way through to Kahuterawa Rd and back again. Read More...

Kahuterawa Loop (K-loop), Palmerston North

For competent riders, 1-3 hours, 9km full loop.

Logging has commenced and will continue for 3-4 years. Full access has resumed, however be prepared that come October, logging operations will commence again and there will be no access during the week. Access during the weekend will be limited. Currently Nats and Murrays are not ridable (see map).

Found at the end of Kahuterawa Rd, the common loop is to ride up to the gate at Scott’s Rd and carry on down through the forest on one of the many options available. Read More...

Kloop Map Track Guide

Mangahao Dams, Shannon

For all riders, 2-5 hours, 20+km
Head south from Palmerston North, over the Fitzherbert Bridge and follow road signs to Linton, Tokomaru then Shannon along Highway 57. Take the first turn left at Shannon and follow Mangahao Rd to the reserve and car park near the powerhouse. This a good 7-8km, mostly gentle uphill gravel road ride all the way to the first dam. Read More...

Kohitere Forest, Levin

For competent riders, 1-2hours, 5km+
Suitable for riders of average fitness. Drive to Levin, via Shannon, is the most straight forward. Turn left off SH 57 into Queen St East and left into Denton Rd. The road side carpark is about 100 metres along this road. Throw the bike over the style and start riding up the hill. Read More...

North Range Rd, Palmerston North

For all Riders, 2-3 hours, 20+km
This is a great fine weather ride. Beware if cloud is down over the hills or the wind is prominent. Drive up Pahiatua Track and park on the gravel pit area on the left at the summit. It’s approx 12km from the first car park to where you overlook the far wind farms. Read More...

Makairo Track, Woodville

For competent Riders, 2-4 hours, ~16km.
Drive to Mangatainoka on SH2 south of Woodville. Turn left at the Brewery into Kohinui Rd, left into Waituna Rd and right into Makairo Rd. Drive to the end of the gravel and park. This is a very exposed track with steep drops off the side and should not be attempted in adverse weather. On a good day it is a great ride. Read More...

Wharite Peak-Woodville

For all riders of average fitness and above, 1-3 hours, 20km return.
Take the first road left after the Manawatu Gorge, Woodlands Rd (heading towards Woodville) and follow it until the gravel starts. You can begin your ride at any point from here. Read More...

Takapari Rd, Palmerston North

For fit competent riders, 3-5 hours, ~15km, 1000m climb one way.
Drive out from Ashhurst to Pohangina East Rd. Takapari Rd begins approx 10km past the Pohangina Reserve turnoff, park just around the corner. The road begins with a reasonably gentle climb through farmland to a gate leading to the forest park. Close the gate behind you and start to climb up a steeper gravel road, past regenerating bush and into scrub land. Read More...

Santoft Forest, Bulls

For all riders, 1 hour+, 10km+ loop. PERMIT REQUIRED. Contact the MMBC With approximately 14 kms of sweet single track, the Manawatu Mountain Bike Club has been busy building trails in this area of the Santoft Forest. Access to this area is for mmbc club members only, giving riders permitted access as required by the forest owners. Please respect this access. Read More...

Forest Status

Arapuke (K-Loop)

Closed Weekdays

Open Weekends

Santoft

Open

Open Weekends

and

after 4:30pm weekdays

AREAS CLOSED to BIKING

Gorge Track, Ashhurst. Anyone riding this track is doing serious damage to negotiations with DOC for new mountain biking areas in the Manawatu.

PLEASE STAY OFF.

Branches Rd, Pohangina. This track has been un-rideable due to excessive slips since the February 2000 Floods. As it is a public area, you are probably welcome to explore but be prepared to carry your bike.

Gordon Kerr Forest, Linton. This track is no longer accessible for public or mountain bike club members as the council no longer owns the area which was available for riding.

Aokautere Forest (Forest Hill), Aokautere. This forest is closed due to logging operations. Please do not ride here until notified.

TRACK BUILDING CREW

All local trail work is managed by the MMBC Trail Building Crew. Without trails to ride, mountain biking would be road riding! So we need keen crew members, happy to pick up a shovel.
If you wish to belong to this crew please indicate on your membership application or contact Ross.
Contact Ross 3233288

Manawatu Trails

Click the link above to find out more about trails in the Manawatu and beyond, with maps and directions how to get there. This site has info about Mountain Bike trails and Back Country cycle touring routes.