Cycle Trails Western Bay

SCENIC OPTIONS FOR EVERY RIDER

With trails to suit every age and ability, you can easily explore the special places that reflect our heritage and environment at your own pace.

Try the Ōmokoroa to Wairoa River trail for unbeatable harbour views and bird spotting.
Enjoy the popular Waihī Beach to Bowentown trail, where you can stop for a coffee or ice cream along the way.
Seek some haiku inspiration at Katikati or take one of the town's nearby riverside or shoreline trails.
Adrenalin seekers can mountain bike through the 88-hectare Waitekohekohe Recreational Park, near Katikati.
The relatively flat Pāpāmoa to Paengaroa trail offers a fast pedalling challenge, with an appealing pause at the Kaituna River overbridge along the way.
In Te Puke, travel under and over bridges and past the town’s old cemetery as you traverse nearby rural paddocks.
The award-winning TECT Park offers a challenging 10km mountain bike ride through remote forest tracks.
There's also an appealing 12km off-the-grid mountain biking trail between Paengaroa and Ōkere Falls.

Need a bike? Learn about bike rentals here.

LET'S PUMP THOSE PEDALS

Planning a ride in the Western Bay? See guides below to find your way.

WAIHĪ BEACH TO BOWENTOWN KATIKATI TRAILS ŌMOKOROA TO TAURANGA TE ARA KAHIKATEA PATHWAY - TE PUKE TECT PARK WAITEKOHEKOHE RECREATIONAL PARK PĀPĀMOA TO PAENGAROA PAENGAROA TO ŌKERE FALLS

Athenree estuary pathway on Trig to Anzac Bay cycleway Tourism Bay of Plenty

WAIHĪ BEACH TO BOWENTOWN

This popular coastal trail travels the length of Waihī Beach and Bowentown, with optional sidetracks that include the Athenree Estuary.

There are plenty of places you can stop along the way, such as reserves, playgrounds, cafés, shops and swimming spots.

The view from the top of the eastern point, above Cave Bay, is ample reward for the extra effort it takes to cycle there.

Flat, grade 1
9km each way; optional side trails or loops
Mixture of sealed, gravel and boardwalk
Start or finish at Waihī Beach Surf Lifesaving Club or Anzac Bay, Bowentown
Other entry/exit options from any road near the trail
A 10-minute drive east from Waihī, exit off State Highway 2
Easy access to coastal and harbour foreshores, including wetlands and sand dunes, along the route
This is a shared walkway and cycleway and can get very busy at times; includes roadside sections and road crossings
Multiple toilet facilities along the way; drinking water is available at many of the beachside reserves
Minimal signage

Katikati village trails Tourism Bay of Plenty web

KATIKATI - THREE TRAILS

Choose your distance and direction – whichever Katikati trail you opt for, you’ll get the chance to spot the art, birdlife and watersides this historic town is known for.

With each option located just a short distance from the main street, it's easy to grab something to eat or drink before or after your ride.

5-25m elevation, grade 1
Less than 5km (return)
Mixture of concrete and sealed
Start and finish at Haiku Park, on the western side of the main street in Katikati; can also be accessed from any nearby road
Follows the river stopbank, before travelling through a pleasant residential area; includes an art installation near the 45m suspension bridge over the Uretara Stream; look out for river birds and boulders engraved with thought-provoking haiku poems
Includes road crossings at Mural Drive and Highfields Drive
Toilets, carpark and drinking water all available at Haiku Park
No signage

1-10m elevation, grade 1
Approximately 5.8km (return) depending on which track options are taken
Mixture of concrete, gravel and grass
Start and finish at the Uretara Stream boat ramp, Noble Johnston Drive; can be joined from any nearby road
Start/finish point is 50m from State Highway 2, which runs through the main street in Katikati, turn-off is near the Talisman Hotel and Restaurant
A family-friendly trail which includes river wetlands, harbour views and art installations, along with description boards of the area’s bird life
Includes some roadside sections and road crossings
Toilets are located off the main street in Katikati at Diggelmann Park; no drinking water available en route; limited car parking at the start and finish point, but there’s more available in nearby side roads
Map board in the seating area at the start

1-15m elevation, grade 1
Approximately 11km (loop)
Mixture of urban and rural roads, concrete pathways, grass reserves, gravel, orchard tractor tracks, and short bush trail
Start and finish at the Uretara Stream boat ramp, Noble Johnston Drive
Can be joined from any nearby road
Start/finish point is 50m from State Highway 2, which runs through Katikati’s main street, turn-off is near the Talisman Hotel and Restaurant
Features bird life, harbour views, wetlands and working orchards
Includes long sections along rural and urban roads; rural areas include vehicles travelling at high speeds
Toilets are located off Katikati’s main street, at Diggelmann Park, and at the harbour end of Beach Road; no drinking water available en route; limited car parking at the start and finish point, but there’s more available in nearby side roads
Signage when the trail leaves a road

Cycle trail Ongarahu Pa Omokoroa to Wairoa River Tourism Bay of Plenty

ŌMOKOROA TO TAURANGA

Explore the growing seaside town of Ōmokoroa, along with Te Puna estuary, the Plummers Point peninsula, and Wairoa River.

It’s worth checking beforehand which cafés you might want to detour to and stop at along the way.

Historic Ongarahu Pā, at the northern end of Plummers Point, is one of the most well-preserved defensive fortifications in New Zealand.

Cyclists can also connect to the Bethlehem Reserves trails via the specially designed cycle lane that's next to the highway on the Tauranga side of Wairoa River.

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Some short inclines/declines, grade 2
19km (one way)
Mixture of gravel, boardwalk and road
Start or finish at the Ōmokoroa Boat Club or Wairoa River Reserve
Other entry/exit options at Lynley Park Drive, Lakeside Terrace, Huharua Park, Jess Road and Newnham Road
Ōmokoroa Boat Club is 23km from the Tauranga city centre; Wairoa River Reserve is 10km from the Tauranga city centre
This is a popular recreation recreational ride due to its undulating scenery and proximity to the harbour and Wairoa River
Includes some roadside sections and road crossings
Toilets located at Ōmokoroa Domain, Huharua Park (at the end of Plummers Point Road), and Wairoa River Reserve; drinking water is available at Huharua Park; carparking available at the start and finish, and also at other entry and exit roads
Signage in place

Caroline Boyle front cover Papamoa to Paengaroa cycleway Kaituna Bridge

PĀPĀMOA TO PAENGAROA

This trail offers a safe cycling route alongside the Tauranga Eastern Link highway, with scenic views of the surrounding countryside.

Nearby banks have been extensively planted with native species and the Kaituna River bridge features a stunning set of pouwhenua (carved Māori land markers).

15m elevation, grade 1
20km (one way)
Mixture of sealed and gravel
Start or finish end of Te Okuroa Road, Papamoa; or next to Comvita, Wilson Road South, Paengaroa
Te Okuroa Drive, Papamoa, is 12km north-east from Te Puke; Paengaroa is 11km south of Te Puke - turn east off SH33 at Paengaroa
An increasingly popular trail for recreational and serious cyclists alike; the small village of Paengaroa offers several food and beverage options
Most of this trail is safely sectioned off from the nearby highway, but riders will travel along the side of the Te Puke Highway near Paengaroa
Toilets are available at Paengaroa Domain, 222 State Highway 33; carparking is available at both start/finish points; no drinking water available
Signage in place

Caroline Boyle Paengaroa to Rotoiti paddocks 2

KAIKŌKOPU – PAENGAROA TO ŌKERE FALLS

Designed for adventurous mountain bikers who are keen to get off the grid in a remote location, with just a short drive to popular village cafes before or after your ride.

Enjoy beautiful native bush and birdsong as you tackle the forest trail that's maintained by local volunteers.

Along the way you'll enjoy beautiful rural landscapes and views to the coast and nearby Lake Rotoiti.

30m to 330m elevation, grade 3
12km (one way)
Mixture of sealed, gravel and dirt path
Start at Roydon Downs Scenic Reserve, at the end of Ridge Road, or any spot on Lichenstein Road
Paengaroa is 11km south-east of Te Puke and 47km north of Rotorua – turn east off SH33 at Paengaroa; Ōkere Falls is 21km north of Rotorua, next to SH33
Keep an ear out for the birdlife at Roydon Downs Scenic Reserve and your eyes open for trout at nearby Ōkere Falls where you may also spot slalom canoeists or rafters travelling down the picturesque Kaituna River
Toilets are available at Paengaroa Domain, 222 State Highway 33, and also the Ōkere Falls Store; no drinking water is available en route
Signage is at both off-road gated entrances

19 2023 Cycle Trails booklet image Te Puke 3

TE ARA KAHIKATEA PATHWAY – TE PUKE

Pedal through wetlands and alongside the Waiari Stream on the eastern outskirts of this bustling rural town.

This pathway was originally created by passionate community volunteers.

You'll enjoy several points of interest as you cycle over and under bridges and past the town’s oldest cemetery, which dates back to 1886.

Grade 1
4km (return)
Mixture of grass, gravel and shared boardwalk
Start and finish at Hera Memorial, near the Commerce Lane carpark, cut across the Jubilee Park grounds and make a sharp right as you leave the park.

You can also start and finish at Landscape Road; other entry/exit options are at Stock Road or King Street
A 14-minute drive from Papamoa, exit the roundabout in the main street of Te Puke, onto Jocelyn Street, and then turn onto Commerce Lane
A relaxed trail that makes the best of its natural rural and waterway attributes; look out for Tinkerbell’s Garden
Includes some roadside sections and road crossings
Toilets and carparks are located at the Commerce Lane start and finish point, or at Landscape Road; no drinking water available
Signage at the Hera Memorial near Commerce Lane, at the junction where the trail loop starts and ends, and at the entrance to Old Te Puke Cemetery on Landscape Road

TECT PARK

TECT Park offers 1650 hectares of action-packed options.

There are three mountain bike trails – the challenging Buffalo Girl Track and two shorter tracks to suit less experienced riders.

Bring a picnic to this remote, tree-covered park and check out some of the other activities while you’re here.

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INTERMEDIATE A. Buffalo Girl Track 10km (loop)
EASY B. Kererū Track 3km (loop) - grade 1
EASY C. Uno Track 1.8km (loop) - grade 1
Dirt mountain bike track
Start and finish: once you enter the park, follow the signs to the mountain bike area
TECT Park is situated approximately halfway between Tauranga and Rotorua, off SH36 (29km from Tauranga and 30km from Rotorua); the park’s eastern entry is signposted on the highway
This park hosts a lot of clubs so you may spot activities like paintball, clay target shooting, off-road driving, and model aircraft; there are some lovely walking tracks, an off-leash dog exercise area, and you can pay to take on the high-wire challenges at Adrenalin Forest
Check the park website (tectpark.co.nz) or Facebook page for possible track closures prior to your arrival; respect the rights of other track users (e.g walkers, runners and horse riders); the Buffalo Girl Track has three shallow stream crossings and can be quite slippery
Toilets are located in the mountain bike area and near the main entrance to the park
Tracks are well marked

B. Kererū Track - grade 1
3km (loop)
Dirt mountain bike track

C. Uno Track - grade 1
1.8km (loop)
Dirt mountain bike track
Start and finish: once you enter the park, follow the signs to the mountain bike area

16 2023 Cycle Trails booklet image Waitekohekohe trail copy 2

WAITEKOHEKOHE RECREATIONAL PARK

This 88-hectare park, on the outskirts of Katikati, offers a series of forest tracks for mountain bikers, horse riders, and walkers to enjoy.

The Waitekohekohe name was gifted by Ngāi Tamawhariua (the local hapū, or sub-tribe).

The park is part of the 37,000-hectare Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park. The swimming hole, which one of the cycle tracks passes through, is a great place to cool off in summer.

Learn more about the mountain bike trails here.

Dirt mountain bike track
Start and finish at 360 Thompsons Track, Katikati (you will pass the Waitekohekohe Recreational Park’s equestrian car park first, the mountain biking carpark is further along the road)
Thompsons Track is a rural road that connects to State Highway 2; the park is a 40-minute drive from the Tauranga city centre or a 13-minute drive from the centre of Katikati
This park offers a remote, scenic ride along a series of off-road trails
Walkers are permitted on the easy trails and may be accompanied by dogs

Make sure you follow the correct trail markers and watch out for signs warning of trail intersections

Several equestrian trails are located to the east of the park and mountain bikers are not permitted on these
A toilet is located to the left of the mountain biking car park.
Well signposted on the roadside and along each trail, but we'd advise you to take a photo of the trail map beforehand