Best Mountain Bike Trails in Te Kopahou Reserve

OPEN

Advanced

3.0 km

369m

-1359m

4h 34m

Just past the radar dome jump over the metal barrier at a sign-posted 4wd track that deviates off the sealed road.The track initially goes up about 20m to a lookout over the deep valley below. It then drops sharply down to the right along what probably used to be a 4wd track but is now more like single track.Apart from a couple of bumps, the track descends down a ridge at around a 20% gradient until it turns across the eastern face of the hill and heads to the valley floor.

OPEN

Advanced

4.7m

31m

-424m

29h 59m

This is an old school track that started life as a steep 4wd road and is slowly degenerating into challenging single track. Starting from a good altitude, the track more-or-less follows a ridge down to the sea. Along the way there are huge views over Cook Strait, though parts of the track are technically challenging so don't get too distracted by the views.The final purpose-built single track section (branch from old red rocks exit) is very narrow with loose surface, tight switchbacks and some exposure. You need to be confident at G4 even though the majority of the track leading up to this section is G3. Only other options to exit are even harder G5 trails.

Very difficult

3.6 km

175m

-554m

19h 38m

This is the original exit down to the coast. Following past the new single trail, up a fairly challenging pinch climb along a narrow ridge. The trail then drops down a challenging scree slope/rock slide, with multiple line choices.

Very difficult

3.0 km

352m

-1340m

16h 5m

This is a difficult, though fun, track down to the World War II gun emplacements and bunkers at the southern tip of the Te Kopahau Reserve overlooking Sinclair Head.From near the southern end of Te Kopahau drop down a 20% slope for 1.2km. Around the bottom of this slope Waipapa West heads off down to the adjacent valley floor - though don't think that's an easy way out. If you're still keen, then continue by going up 50m over the next 0.5km.

Very difficult

922.5m

11m

-138m

19h 55m

drop down to the beach along what isn't really a track at all. To take this option, as shown on the map, go back almost 0.2km to the saddle point then turn to the east down the valley. The faint track is initially ridable but soon requires walking. Then it gets difficult - the track essentially disappears and you need to scramble down a steep, narrow and scrub-filled gully that resembles a creek more than a track. The last 0.1km is extremely steep, with a slope of around 45%. You'll emerge at the back of a bach just as the track becomes apparent again, so skirt around to the left and on to Pariwhero.

OPEN

Advanced

2.2m

1353m

-51m

40h 13m

The nastiest (and shortest) route to the top of Hawkins Hill. It's steep Really steep, but not technically challenging, but an Advanced level ride. Doing hill reps of the Tip Track makes great Karapoti Classic training.

Intermediate

192.3m

147m

-167m

1h 20m

This is a very steep loop off Red Rocks down to the floor of the Waipapa Stream valley and then back up to Red Rocks. The track surface is quite rocky and occasionally a bit loose on top but firm underneath.

Intermediate

844.9m

14m

-158m

3h 17m

This is a short and steep connection between Ribs and Waipapa Loop.Like most of the tracks in the Hawkins Hill area, the track surface is rocky and loose (especially when dry), which can make for a difficult climb due traction issues. The loose surface can also make for a tricky descent on the steeper sections.The climb out of Waipapa Stream valley is steep whichever way you go, with the choices being: Waipapa West, Waipapa Loop, and Radome.