Motu Trails: Dunes Trail, Motu Road and Pākihi Track Guide

Overview

The Motu Trails are three very different rides centred on Ōpōtiki in the Eastern Bay of Plenty:

• the easy coastal Dunes Trail
• the hilly, historic Motu Road into the backcountry
• the classic Pākihi Track singletrack back to the coast

Linked together, they make an unforgettable 91 km loop that fit riders do in 2–3 days. Very fit riders have done it in one. Each can also be ridden on its own, with shuttles for one-way rides.

Trail status: Motu Road has reopened after a major slip was cleared, restoring through access between Ōpōtiki, the top of the Pākihi Track and Motu village. Check conditions before you ride.

Highlights

• Ocean, forest and mountain panoramas
• Challenging backcountry singletrack on the Pākihi Track
• Māori and early-settler history, and photogenic carved pou trail markers
• Empty beaches for swimming and picnics
• Genuine heartland hospitality in Toatoa and Motu

The three trails

• Dunes Trail: It starts at the Pakowhai ki Otutaopuku suspension bridge in Ōpōtiki and runs for 10 km along the dunes, with views to East Cape, with only 100 m of elevation change. Great for families. Bikes can be hired at the Ōpōtiki i-SITE.
• Motu Road: The old coach road toward Gisborne climbs 1,600 m from the coast to Motu, including a solid 6 km grind up Meremere Hill. It's mostly gravel and the traffic is light, but watch for logging trucks. Ridden from Matawai the other way, it's more downhill. The Motu Falls are a 5 km detour from Motu village.
• Pākihi Track: A 1900s pack track, now 20 km of wilderness singletrack through tawa, rimu and rewarewa forest, with a hut at halfway and a 35 m swing bridge. The rest is gravel and quiet road back to Ōpōtiki. Bikes must ride downhill from the Motu Road end. There are drop-offs beside the track, rock debris and fallen trees, and everyone walks some sections.

Classic two-day option: Ōpōtiki → Motu (61 km) on day one, staying the night in Motu, then back up Motu Road and down the Pākihi to Ōpōtiki (61 km).

Day rides

Pākihi shuttles run on demand, with a minimum of four riders.

Need to know

• Bike: A hybrid with knobbly tyres is fine on the Dunes Trail. Use a mountain bike for the Motu Road and Pākihi. E-bikes are welcome, but battery range on the Motu Road and lifting heavy bikes on the Pākihi can be a problem. The Dunes Trail has squeeze barriers, so riders with drop bars or panniers may need to dismount.
• Weather: The inland sections are elevated and can be cold and wet even in summer, and misty with occasional snow in winter.
• Safety: No mobile coverage on the Pākihi and very little on the Motu Road. Carry a personal locator beacon, which you can hire cheaply from the Ōpōtiki or Gisborne i-SITE. Don't ride the Pākihi during or just after a storm.
• Food: Ōpōtiki, plus a shop on the Dunes Trail and one at Matawai. Be self-sufficient inland.
• Dogs: On a lead on the Dunes Trail. On the Pākihi they need a DOC permit and kiwi-aversion training. No horses on the Dunes Trail or Pākihi.

Getting there

Ōpōtiki is the gateway town. The nearest airports are Whakatāne, Gisborne, Tauranga and Rotorua, and Auckland is about 4 hours' drive. Book bike hire, shuttles and accommodation ahead, especially for Toatoa and Motu from December to March. The Rere Falls Trail links Matawai to Gisborne for bikepackers.