Hike | Taranaki | New Zealand
Cycling on the fabulous Hawke's Bay Trails
Text | Anninka Kraus
Photography | Tobias Kraus
New Zealand Hawke’s Bay
The Hawke’s Bay Trails network is one of New Zealand’s 22 Ngā Haerenga (‘The Journeys’) Great Rides and links the Hawke’s Bay region’s cities of Napier, Hastings, and Havelock North on the Heretaunga Plains.
One of the leading wine, fruit, and veggie growing areas in the country and a particularly idyllic one at that, this area hugs the Pacific Ocean along the long crescent of Hawke Bay on the east coast of the North Island.
With 200 kilometres of Grade 1-3 cycle paths crisscrossing the flat terrain, pedalling along at a leisurely pace is undoubtedly the best way to explore the coastal and rural inland scenery between Bay View north of Napier and Cape Kidnappers headland in the south.
Each of the region’s most endearing features is dedicated a themed day ride: Wineries, Water, and Landscape. The trails are mostly flat and gentle, purpose-built cycle paths with some on-road sections and can easily be combined to make a varied multiday ride.
Several tour operators offer guided bike tours that include many of Hawke’s Bay’s famous wineries and cellar doors, restaurants and cafes. If you prefer to plan your own tour, you’ll find that the excellent trail signage makes it easy to navigate the rides.
Hawke’s Bay is one of the sunniest places in New Zealand and its mild Mediterranean climate provides ideal conditions for cycling all year around. If you’re flexible, plan your visit in autumn when the vineyards, orchards, and rolling hills turn glorious shades of golden yellows and burnt reds, and the stalls at the Farmers’ Market in Hastings on Saturday are packed full of fresh, locally grown produce.
The market is located in Hastings, which is probably also the best place to base yourself if you want to do all three themed rides as day trips without having to drive to access a different trail every day.
In Napier, New Zealand’s art deco capital, on the other hand, a city full of well-preserved art deco architecture awaits with trendy eateries and hipster coffee shops.
related
Climb Te Mata Peak on the Giant (Red) Circuit
Cooks Cove Walkway in Tolaga Bay
where to stay & eat
Hygge at Clifton Bay Cafe
Have a fantastic pizza at Alessandro’s
Do not miss Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Market on Sundays
Funbuns in Hastings
Cycle | Loop trail | 3 h | Grade 1 | 36km
Wineries Ride
The Wineries Ride draws a large loop through the wine-growing country of Bridge Pā, Gimblett Gravels, and the Ngatarawa Triangle.
Cruising along on a gentle Grade 1 trail, down tree-lined roads and along the banks of the Ngaruroro River, you can sample some of Hawke’s Bay’s famous Syrah and Chardonnay, locally grown produce, and craft beer in almost a dozen wineries, cellar doors, and Roosters Brewery en route.
Including an 11km detour to Sileni Estate, the Wineries Ride is 47km and takes about 5 hours.
Cycle | Loop trail | Grade 1-3 | Tuki Tuki Loop 30km / Clive - Clifton 30km return
Landscape Ride
The Landscape Ride follows the seashore between Clive and Clifton and meanders inland along the Tukituki River to Red Bridge. It’s the longest of the three themed day rides with a few hilly sections and a 10km stretch on-road, but lovely coastal scenery between Clive to where the trail swings inland for the Tuki Tuki Loop.
When you return to the Haumoana oceanfront after the river section and pedal through the beachside community of Te Awanga on the trail skirting the ocean and coastal wetlands towards stunning Cape Kidnappers, there are more sweeping ocean views towards Clifton.
Yet the most beautiful stretch of this ride, if not all the Hawke’s Bay Trails network, is the track that runs on a raised embankment along the Tukituki River to Red Bridge and returns on the opposite river bank to the oceanfront.
From the elevated position on the top of the river escarpment, you’ll look out across the Heretaunga plains and Tuki Tuki Valley with its patchwork carpet of grape and olive orchards spreading against Te Mata Peak in the backdrop. The trail ends at Hygge at Clifton Bay Cafe, which is a fantastic place to have lunch or coffee before heading back towards Clive.
Cycle | Loop trail | 2-3 h | Grade 1 | Puketapu Loop, Grade 1-2, 18km, 1.5-3 hours
Water Ride
Sweeping views of the sea, wetlands and the Tutaekuri River feature prominently on the Water Ride as the trail swoops in a large circle around Napier.
After hugging the Pacific coast to Bay View, the trail turns inland to explore the Ahuriri Estuary, and past Taradale heads out to Puketapu on the Puketapu Loop along the Tutaekuri River, which will eventually arrive back at the seashore to complete the circuit in the centre of Napier.
The Water Ride caters to all riding abilities and is rated Grade 1 except for the Puketapu Loop section, which has some easy Grade 2 sections.
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