Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono: Ruapehu to Whanganui Great Ride

Overview

Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono starts on the slopes of a live volcano, Mt Ruapehu, and ends at the Tasman Sea in Whanganui. In between, it passes through two national parks, Tongariro and Whanganui, along with rolling hill country and remote river gorges. Sights include historic railway viaducts, the abandoned Bridge to Nowhere and arty Whanganui city.

The main route has six riding sections totalling 199 km, plus a compulsory 32 km jet boat ride on the Whanganui River, for 231 km in all. Most riders take 4–6 days, and fit riders 2–3. It's mostly Grade 3 (intermediate), with remote backcountry sections for experienced riders.

Highlights

• Tongariro National Park's volcanic World Heritage landscape
• A thrilling 17 km, 1,000 m descent down the Ohakune Mountain Road
• The Ohakune Old Coach Road and its restored 284 m Hapuawhenua Viaduct
• The Bridge to Nowhere, and a jet boat ride down the Whanganui River
• Māori and Pākehā heritage along the River Road, including Hiruhārama (Jerusalem) and the 1854 Kawana Flour Mill
• Whanganui city's art, cafés and heritage

Trail sections

Alternative start from National Park village: The Fishers Track (27 km, Grade 3, with a 520 m descent), then 25 km of road, then the Kaiwhakauka Track (17 km, Grade 4, from Blue Duck Station), which joins the Mangapurua Track.

Key sections

• Ohakune Old Coach Road: A historic cobbled road "rediscovered" by locals in 2002. It passes spooky rail tunnels, the restored Hapuawhenua and rusty Taonui viaducts, and ends at Horopito, home of "Smash Palace". It's the most popular day ride on the trail.
• Mangapurua Track: Through abandoned WWI settler farms, past the memorial at Mangapurua Trig and Battleship Bluff, to the Bridge to Nowhere, completed in 1936. Then 3 km on to the jet boat landing. Pre-book the jet boat. In the wet, the papa clay turns it into a Grade 4 slog.
• Whanganui River Road: Sealed, with about 600 m of climbing. Supplies are very limited, with only a tiny shop at Pīpīriki and the seasonal Matahiwi Gallery café.

Winter closure

The Mangapurua Track is closed to cyclists over winter, usually from about King's Birthday weekend to Labour weekend in late October. The latest trail alert says the section from the war memorial / trig to the Bridge to Nowhere is closed to cyclists until October, while the section from Ruatiti to the trig, including the Kaiwhakauka connection, stays open. Check the trail website for reopening.

Need to know

• Bike: A mountain bike is essential for the Old Coach Road, Mangapurua, Kaiwhakauka and Fishers Track. Hybrids are fine elsewhere, and road bikes on the Mountain Road and River Road. E-bikes up to 300 W are allowed, but they must be mountain-bike style on the backcountry sections, and there are no charging points.
• Safety: There's virtually no mobile coverage in Whanganui National Park, so carry a personal locator beacon and tell someone your route. Weather around Ruapehu changes fast.
• Food and water: Available only in Ohakune, National Park, Whanganui and a few River Road settlements. Treat backcountry water.
• Dogs and horses: Not allowed on the Old Coach Road, Mangapurua or Kaiwhakauka.

Getting there

Ohakune, National Park village and Whanganui are the main towns. The Northern Explorer train stops at Ohakune and National Park. Whanganui Airport has regional flights, and Auckland is 4–5 hours' drive. Book shuttles and the jet boat in advance, along with accommodation for December to March. There are DOC campsites along the route.