7 minute read
MANAWATŪ CYCLEWAY
MANGAWEKA to PALMERSTON NORTH
2-3 days - 115km
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© AA Traveller 2022
There is more to the Manawatū Cycleway than first meets the eye. Tracing the quiet, backcountry roads connecting Mangaweka to Palmerston North, the colours somehow seem brighter here; the hues vivid and more defined. This off-the-beaten escape is not just a bike ride, it’ll completely re-establish your connection with nature.
A full two days is recommended to experience the Manawatū Cycleway, allocating plenty of time to stop and absorb the scenery, or to bunker down for the night at a farmland retreat. Every inch of this cycleway offers something retina-pleasing. The dazzling-white cliffs of Mangaweka defy the usual conventions of mountain peaks, instead, topping their creamy papa rock faces with a verdant green frosting. Nearby, Ruahine Dress Circle Reserve, so called for its opera-house aesthetics, offers an idyllic spot for picnics and swimming, and the Mangahuia Wetlands are so lush, one full inhale and you’ll feel replenished.
For glowworms, detour onto Table Flat Road. In autumn, the entire Pohangina Valley turns gold, while in summer, roadside blueberry picking is not only nostalgic, it makes for a great snack, too. Thebijou townships of Rangiwahia and Āpiti throb with community spirit, and once you arrive in the bustling city of Palmerston North, a mecca of street art and sculpture, museums, history and culture awaits.
TRAIL INFO
TRAIL GRADES:
ALL GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE)
MANGAWEKA TO ĀPITI, 45KM
ĀPITI TO ASHHURST, 55KM
ASHHURST TO PALMERSTON NORTH, 20KM
MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Coverage is available in most places but not along the whole route.
DRINKING WATER: There are a number of settlements where you can fill your water bottle. River water should be boiled or treated.
TYPE OF BIKE: Road bikes and touring bikes are best suited for the terrain. E-bikes are also suitable. Riders should ideally have basic mechanical skills and carry a tool kit and spares.
The Country Road © ManawatuNZ.co.nz
RIDING THE TRAIL
MANGAWEKA TO ĀPITI, 45KM
Ride past the Mangaweka Campground and over the bridge where you will be greeted with the impressive sight of soaring white papa (mudstone) cliffs and magnificent cobbled river terraces. Stop off at Awastone Riverside Café for a coffee and bite to eat (open August to April).
Just 12km from the start of Ruahine Rd, you will find Mairenui Rural Retreat.
Be sure to check out the Ruahine Dress Circle Scenic Reserve. This swimming and picnic spot off Lagoon Rd sits on a river bend and is surrounded by cliffs and dotted with waterfalls. Early settlers named the spot the dress circle because the cliffs reminded them of an opera house. The turn-off is 11km south of the Mangaweka Bridge.
Rangiwahia is only 10km from Mairenui. It has public toilets, campsites, free WiFi and interesting stories to tell.
Get back on the road and head down Te Parapara Rd. Be sure to savour the views along this particularly scenic stretch.
Lush farmland with the Ruahine Ranges as a backdrop greets you as you enter Main South Rd. Stop for a break at Mangahuia Wetlands, a series of ponds that are home to native birdlife and trout.
Heading along Main South Rd, you’ll travel through the dramatic Mangoira Gorge. After the Gorge, you can take a detour by turning into Table Flat Rd (gravel) for some great panoramic views of the region and the Limestone Creek Reserve glowworm caves.
Back on Main South Rd, continue down and detour onwards into Āpiti for a meal at the Āpiti Tavern and camping at the Āpiti Domain.
ĀPITI TO ASHHURST, 55KM
On from Āpiti, head back up Ōroua Valley Rd and into Pohangina Valley East Rd. There are some amazing photo opportunities as you wind your way down into the Pohangina Valley, especially in autumn when the foliage turns gold. In summer, look out for blueberry picking and swimming spots in the river.From Āpiti, it’s 26km to Springvale Gardens & Accommodation, or 35km to Totara Reserve campground.
This area is rich in native bush and has a good range of bush walks for all abilities. Head down past the historic Komako Church and you will find Totara Reserve, a playground of native bush, glowworm caves, swimming holes and campsites with great facilities.
Another 12km on from here is Raumai Reserve, a great place to cool off in the river; there are also restrooms here. Ride the trail down the road and turn left onto Pohangina Rd (on weekends, a 5km detour into Pohangina Village is worthwhile to visit County Fayre, a community-run tea room and heritage display site.
Continue down Pohangina Rd for 8km to reach Ashhurst. Stop for coffee and baked goods from the local cafés or grocery shop, picnic on the village green, or explore Ashhurst Domain where there is camping available. Ashhurst Inn offers all day dining and good accommodation.
ASHHURST TO PALMERSTON NORTH, 20KM
From Cambridge Ave, turn left onto SH 3 (Napier Rd). Continue down and pull off to the left before the bridge, then ride down under the bridge and onto the first section of the Manawatū River Pathway. You’ll ride along for 3km before turning right onto Raukawa Rd, bringing you back out onto SH 3.
Turn right and head along SH 3, keeping to the shoulder for 2.6km then turn left onto Te Matai Rd. Follow Te Matai Rd until Riverside Dr. Turn left down Riverside Dr and at the end of this road is the second section of the Manawatū River Pathway. You’ll follow a gentle, undulating path that follows the Manawatū River into Palmerston North city for 6km.
At the Fitzherbert Ave Bridge, take the path under and around the bridge to the right (where you can detour into the stunning Victoria Esplanade gardens and Wildlife Recovery Centre) and head up Fitzherbert Ave. It’s just 2km to The Square.
For a longer cycle, carry on another 1.5km along the river pathway to the new He Ara Kotahi bridge which will take you across the Manawatū River, along boardwalks and through native bush to Linton Military Camp (5.6km). For a shorter 3.8km cycle, you can do the Fitzherbert Avenue Bridge to He Ara Kotahi Bridge Loop.
Palmerston North i-SITE has luggage lockers and showers and can arrange your bookings while providing you information on your next stop.
‘Palmy’ has plenty to offer the visiting cycle-tourer, including street art and a sculpture trail, plus Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science & Heritage and the New Zealand Rugby Museum. It’s also great for dining, with a range of cafés, restaurants and pubs dotted throughout the central city centre.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRAIL
• Te Parapara Rd is particularly scenic, but no photograph does it justice. Seeing is believing.
• Swim at the secluded Ruahine Dress Circle Reserve: waterfalls bathed in native forest.
• Found in an old dairy factory, the Rangiwahia Environmental Arts Centre (REACT) reuses and upcycles almost anything into artwork.
• For handcrafted cheese from the Pohangina Valley, the Cartwheel Creamery is open for sales and tastings, by appointment only so call ahead.
• Travel 35km west of Palmerston North to the coast and eat fish and chips on Hīmatangi Beach, watch the sun set and then enjoy a twilight walk.
• Pack a picnic and laze around the lake at Mangahuia Wetlands.
• Palmerston North ‘s Victoria Esplanade public garden offers rose gardens, barbecues, aviaries, croquet lawns and a miniature railway.
• Detour one hour from Apiti for a 600m walk to Limestone Creek where there are caves, arches and glowworms.
• Manawatū Gorge Scenic Reserves brims with swimming spots, horse trekking and various walks.
Totara Reserve, Pohangina River © ManawatuNZ.co.nz
ADD-ON HEARTLAND RIDE
Tararua Traverse: 67km/1 day
A challenging route over the Tararua Ranges. Check for closures: sections by taxi may be required.
