New Zealand Walk/Cycle Trail: River Road to Clive

River Road to Clive walk or ride

Above top: There are a number of seats along the trail. At this spot it is the exit to Bivvy Cafe. Insert right: The sign post at River Road car park. Above: A walker takes her dog for a walk. Below: Sheep grazing among the vines.

Walking New Zealand

magazine is available at all

The walk from River Road near Havelock North to Black Bridge is part of the Landscape Ride one of Hawkes Bay’s most popular cycling and walking trails.

The walk starts at River Road where there is a large carpark, about 3.7km east of the Havelock CBD. The walk to Black Bridge is a distance of 7.7kms.

The flat wide limestone track runs along a stop bank beside the Tukituki River and with the stopbank being raised, it gives interesting views of

Freephone 0800 walking

to subscribe to Walking New Zealand magazine Only $84.50 for 12 months

River Road to Clive walk or ride

over a great Hawkes Bay landscape

the surrounding landscape. Looking back Te Mata Peak can be seen above the leafy residential area of Havelock North.

The trail passes hectares of vineyards, orchards to the left, while the Tukituki River to the right is mostly hidden by trees. Sheep may be seen grazing among the vines.

The track passes the Bivvy Cafe link, about 7 kms from River Road which is ideally situated amongst the vines. The cafe is open on weekends and public holidays between OcAbove; A group cycling towards the River Road end. Below right: There are gates when it goes through farmland. Below left: Two cyclists on the trail.

River Road to Clive walk or ride

tober and April. Snacks and cold drinks are served, as well as Hawthorne coffee. Take cash as no eftpos at present). Here walkers and cyclists can have a well-earned rest and there is a toilet provided.

Mobile phone coverage is available on all parts of the trail.

It is recommended that walkers and cyclists carry drinking water.

The trail is open year round and is suitable for families. Favourite times of the year are the flush of spring blossom, autumn colours and is especially popular during the scorching Hawke’s Bay summers when numerous big events are hosted, including Art Deco Weekend, the Mission Concert and Horse of the Year.

Above left: The track on the stop bank gives great views over the vineyards Middle left After Black Bridge the trail goes to the coast and along to Clive. Cape Kidnappers can be seen in the distance. Below left: Wildlife can be seen from the trail on a lake between Black Bridge and Clive.

Fact file

The River Road to Black Bridge Section is part of the Landscape Trail, a loop trail that starts and finishes at the Havelock North i-Site and goes to River Road to Black Bridge to Clive to Te Awanga to Clifton and back by Red Bridge to Havelock North - a total of 56kms.

PRICES FROM JULY 1 2022