New Zealand Walk/Bike: Walking and biking

By Barbz Lowther

Walking and biking around Napier

Napier is a lovely place to visit for a walking/biking holiday. A shared path runs from Bayview in the north, to Clifton in the south. It is equally good to walk or bike.

There is also a wetlands loop with opportunities to see lots of bird life – pied stilts, spoon bills, herons, and godwits can be spotted.

From Clifton, you can organise a tractor ride to visit the Gannets at Cape Kidnappers

There are also trails following the Tutaekuri, Tukituki and . Ngaruroro rivers. All are well marked and maps are available from the Visitor Information Centre in town. The river trails are perhaps not so interesting to walk with long stretches of flat, straight stop banks, with unchanging scenery, apples or grapes.

Between the rivers and the track is usually an area of trees and scrub, so there are not many river views. It’s really cruisy to bike along, but a little bit monotonous when walking. Using the Holiday Park at Bayview as a base, we spent four days exploring the area.

On our first day we biked through wetlands by the Ahuriri Estuary, and on to the coast, stopping at Perfume Point Reserve to see the enormous ‘Beach Chairs’.

Above: Dereck on a track along the stop banks.

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From there we biked into town and along Ocean Beach enjoying the murals on the beach front, on buildings, and in reserves, all the way to Waitangi Reserve.

There, we explored Atea a Rangi, the celestial star compass, which symbolises the navigational skills of early settlers.

At Awatoto we turned inland and followed the Tutaekuri River to Green Meadows. This was a very easy ride along stop banks, past apple orchards and several bridges painted with interesting murals on each support.

Reaching Taradale early afternoon, we stopped for a coffee and

Opposite page - Above: Biking from Awatoto to Clifton past ‘Atea a Rangi’ the celestrial compass which symbolises the navigation skills of early settlers.

Middle: A wetlands area.

Below: Beautiful Autumn colours on the winding coastal shared pathway between Napier and Clive. Above left: Biking at Bayview north of Napier. Above right: Looking towards Cape Kidnappers.from the coastal pathway. Below left: A sculpture along the ocean beach in Napier. Below right: The pathway goes under a bridge.

Above left: Barbz and Dereck on top of Te Mata Peak. Above right: Brightly painted murals on a shelter along the pathway. Below right: Walking up Te Mata Peak surrounded by “folded hills”.

were shown a lovely winding trail connecting Taradale to Mission Estate Winery.

The trees were showing their best autumn colours, and a little creek ran under arched brick bridges. It was well used by both bikers and walkers and became our favourite section, to cut through.

At Mission Estate we stopped for a ‘Taste’ and had a really interesting hour or so, hearing the history of the mission from French beginnings to

Walking and biking around Napier

Cycling the Hawke’s Bay Trails is the closest you can get to a European cycling holiday without travelling overseas. You will see valleys of vines, winding rivers, estuary wetlands and the majestic coastline beside the turquoise-blue Pacific Ocean. Experience our tracks over 2, 3 or 4 days cycling flat, easy trails knowing you are never more than 30 minutes away from your next stop at a winery restaurant, cellar door or fresh fruit stall! Cycle Hawke’s Bay - the best trails, food & wine!

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We continued north through the wetlands, and more bridges with beautiful murals, on the way back to Bayview.

Day 2 we drove down to Hastings and Havelock North and walked Te Mata Peak. What stunning countryside!

It was a beautiful sunny day and the views were magnificent with rolling hills forever. The park has lots of walking tracks and mountain bike trails, and a lovely cafe, with awesome views of the area from the deck.

We then drove back to Awatoto and finished the coastal section through Clive, Haumoana and Te Awanga, down to Clifton – the ‘Landscapes Ride’.

The next day was a wander in the wetlands in Ahuriri, followed by an easy bike along local paths, and onto the Puketapu Loop beside the Tutaekuri River. After a beer, we returned to Bayview.

On our last day we drove south to Roys Hill Reserve, where we began the wineries cycle trail. This was an interesting ride through Gimblett Gravels,and Bridge Pa, passing grapes, apples and several cellar doors open for tastings.

Before returning along the Ngaruroro River we biked through a 150

Walking and biking around Napier

Above left: Looking down on a large apple orchard. Below left: The pathway from Taradale to Mission Estate.

Below left: A tree in Autumn colours near Taradale. year old Oak Grove which was quite stunning. The trees were huge.

Next day we headed home. On the way we stopped at Opepe Bush Walk, on the Napier/Taupo Highway.

It’s only a half hour walk and has some magnificent rimu, matai, miro, totara and kaikatea.

The trail leads to a memorial for nine soldiers killed in an ambush by Te kooti and his men. This little reserve is well worth a look.

After four days of walking, biking, coffees, wine and brilliant weather, we drove on home already planning our next adventure. Above left: A pretty arched bridge.

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