Mitimiti to Pawarenga aka Golden Stairs Track Mountain Bike Trail

Ride up the beach from Mitimiti then take the 'hike a bike' Golden stairs track to Pawarenga. This is only ridable for 2 or 3 hours either side of low tide. Parts are steep and rocky with vertical exposure. No water or assistance of any kind available and there is plenty of type two fun. Would be do-able either direction. These notes from south to north. Enter the beach at Mitimiti 600m past the school. Sand surface firm and rideable. Bypass the rocky headland of Ahoroa rock by taking the steep 4wd track after Moerewa point (see topo maps) Look for the start of the Golden Stairs track winding up through the scrub as you ride up the final section of the beach. The track is about 25% rideable with the rest pushing or carrying through moderate scrub and open grassy areas. Awesome views as you follow the ridge high above the Whangape harbour. The descent at the northern end is a steep zig zag down a scree slope. Once on the beach, it is a 2.5 km 'ride' over sharp volcanic rock opening to firm sand as you near Pawarenga. Expect to spend 1 1/2 hours between Mitimiti and Golden stairs and 2 1/2 hours on the Golden stairs and northern beach. A good gravel road connects Pawarenga and Mitimiti making a great 50km loop.