Mountain Biking in Hawke’s Bay

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Water Ride (Grade 1-2)

Follow the coast, wetlands and river corridors on the Water Ride, the easiest of Hawke’s Bay’s three themed networks. Although the complete colour-coded network covers 79 km (49 mi), the classic Water Ride loop from Ahuriri is a manageable 35 km (22 mi), taking approximately two to three hours without lengthy stops.

Starting near Ahuriri’s bike-hire depots, the trail follows a concrete coastal path towards Westshore and Bay View before turning inland through landscapes that once formed part of Te Whanganui-a-Orotū lagoon.

It curves around culturally significant Roro-o-Kuri and passes Hawke’s Bay Airport before entering the Ahuriri Estuary wetlands, where bird hides provide opportunities to spot some of the approximately 70 species recorded in the area.

The loop finishes back among Ahuriri’s cafés, restaurants and waterfront bars. For a longer outing, connect with the 18 km (11 mi) Puketapu Loop or the Taradale winery links.

Check current detours before riding, as low-lying and riverside sections can be affected by maintenance, flooding or storm damage.

See what to do in Napier in the 15 Super Fun Things to Do in Napier.

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Landscapes Ride (Grades 1-3)

The 53 km (33 mi) Landscapes Ride links Hawke’s Bay’s coastline, vineyards, rivers and rural communities. Rather than completing the full network in one push, many visitors choose one of its shorter day rides.

The mostly flat 15 km (9 mi) section from Clive to Clifton passes wetlands, beaches and the seaside settlements of Haumoana and Te Awanga.

Along the way, stop at coastal cafés, artist studios or wineries such as Clearview Estate and Elephant Hill before reaching Clifton, the gateway to Cape Kidnappers/Te Kauwae-a-Māui.

Another option is the approximately 37 km (23 mi) return ride between Havelock North and Clive, following cycle lanes and riverside trails past orchards, vineyards and farmland beneath Te Mata Peak. The Tukituki Valley contains the network’s more demanding Grade 3 hills and loose-surface sections.

Do not plan to continue from Clifton to the gannet colony along the beach. At the time of this update, official visitor information states that beach access remains closed because of slips and rockfall danger. Use an authorised overland gannet tour, such as Gannet Safaris Overland, instead and check the latest trail and coastal-access alerts.

© Hawke's Bay Tourism

Wineries Ride (Grades 1-2)

Swap the traditional bar crawl for a leisurely winery crawl through two of Hawke’s Bay’s best-known winegrowing districts. The current Wineries Ride network covers approximately 45 km (28 mi), while shorter loops of around 36 km (22 mi) can generally be completed in three to five hours, depending on how many tasting stops you make.

The mostly flat route circles the Gimblett Gravels, Bridge Pā Triangle and Ngatarawa area, passing vineyards, orchards, the tree-lined Oak Avenue and sections of the Ngaruroro River.

Roy’s Hill Reserve and Hastings Golf Club are convenient starting points, while riders can also connect from Hastings using the iWay network.

Cellar doors on or near the route include Trinity Hill, Unison Vineyard, Ash Ridge Wines, Oak Estate, Radburnd Cellars, Sileni Estates and Paritua. Opening days and tasting arrangements vary seasonally, so book ahead rather than assuming every cellar door will be available.

Allow time for food and water, keep tastings modest and arrange a shuttle if your group would prefer not to cycle the entire loop.

© hastings district council

iWay (Grade 1-2)

The iWay network provides more than 200 km (124 mi) of shared paths, separated cycleways and on-road connections across Hastings, Napier and the communities between them. Designed for everyday transport as well as recreation, it links residential neighbourhoods, schools, business districts and several sections of the Hawke’s Bay Trails.

Around Hastings, riders can use iWay routes to reach Havelock North, Flaxmere and Clive or connect with the Water, Landscapes and Wineries rides. The mostly flat terrain makes the network suitable for families, commuters and visitors looking for relaxed cycling away from more technical mountain bike tracks.

Download the latest Hastings or Napier iWay map before leaving, as roadworks, maintenance and post-cyclone repairs may occasionally affect individual sections.

Remember that many off-road paths are shared with walkers, so keep left, control your speed and give warning before passing.

For more activities in the area, check out the 10 Awesome Things to Do in Hastings.

© Hawkes Bay Tourism

Mountain Bike Parks in Hawke’s Bay

Hawke’s Bay’s cycling reputation extends well beyond its easy coastal and winery trails. Purpose-built parks around Napier, Hastings and Central Hawke’s Bay offer everything from family-friendly pump tracks to technical forest descents for highly experienced riders.

Pan Pac Mountain Bike Park (Grades 1-5)

The Hawke’s Bay Mountain Bike Club’s home park offers more than 70 km (43 mi) of singletrack and connecting forest roads within the privately owned Pan Pac Tangoio Forest.

The rebuilt park caters to a wide range of riders, from Grade 2 flow trails such as “Scooby-Doo” to steep, exposed Grade 5 tracks including “Horseshoe”, “Rimrock” and “Cliffhanger”. The former Mill Block and old entrance beside the Pan Pac mill on SH2 are permanently closed.

Entry requires Hawke’s Bay Mountain Bike Club membership or a valid visitor permit. Access is now from Waipunga Road in Esk Valley.

Taradale Dirt Park and Pump Track (Grades 1-5)

Located over the stopbank beside Rodney Green Arenas, the Taradale Dirt Park provides free riding areas for beginners through to experienced jump riders. The facility includes a full-size pump track, a family-friendly beginner-to-intermediate jump line and a separate extreme dirt-jump area with larger gaps and multiple lines.

Napier Pump Track (Grades 1-5)

The free Napier Pump Track provides an accessible place to practise balance, cornering and maintaining speed without continuously pedalling. Its approximately 500 m (1,640 ft) circuit features rollers, banked turns and interconnected lines suitable for children, beginners and more confident riders.

Located beside Marine Parade and the coastal pathway, the track is easy to combine with a family cycle along Napier’s waterfront. Riders generate momentum by “pumping” their arms and legs over the track’s contours, making it useful for developing skills that transfer to BMX and mountain biking.

Te Mata Peak (Grades 2-6)

Te Mata Peak offers a compact but varied network of dedicated and shared-use mountain bike trails on the slopes above Havelock North. The current network ranges from Grade 2 beginner-friendly riding to Grade 6 extreme terrain, providing considerably more variety than the former single downhill-track description suggested.

Expect sustained climbs, fast descents, narrow singletrack and increasingly technical features on the higher-grade routes. Dedicated mountain bike trails help separate riders from walkers, but several crossing points and shared sections remain, so maintain control and be prepared to stop.

Gum Tree Mountain Bike Park (Grades 2-4)

Gum Tree Farm Mountain Bike Park remains open at the end of Mt Herbert Road in Waipukurau. The volunteer-built network offers around 20 km (12 mi) of riding across 14 trails, ranging from easy family-friendly routes to intermediate and advanced downhill lines with berms, bridges, jumps and gaps.

“Roller Coaster” is a popular flowing descent, while beginners can build confidence on the park’s gentler tracks before progressing to more technical terrain. The park also links with the wider Tukituki Trail network, making it possible to combine singletrack with relaxed limestone-path riding around Waipukurau.