Adventure 232

Main image: Spectacular scenery on the Timber Trail
Above top to bottom: Mountain Biking The Marton Sash and Door Trail / Ohakune Old Coach Road
bush. You can ride the trail in both directions as an out
and back, or take a shuttle to ride the trail in a mostly
downhill direction from Horopito back to Ohakune, where
you’ll find plenty of options to enjoy some mountain village
hospitality after your ride.
Mangapurua Track (Bridge to Nowhere)
Distance: 36km
Grade: 3*
The Mangapurua Track is a classic back country ride, with
a spectacular finale. The trail starts deep in Ruatiti Valley
with a steady climb over a saddle and into the remote
Mangapurua Valley, a long-abandoned farming settlement
surrounded by bush-clad hills and dramatic bluffs.
The ride and the riveting story that goes along with it end
at the Bridge to Nowhere, a graceful concrete monument
to the settlers’ broken dreams.
Then on down to the Whanganui River. When the ride
is over, your next adventure begins! Load your bikes
onto the back of a jet boat for an invigorating ride out to
Pipiriki. You’ll need to book your transport in advance, and
local tour operators offer packages with shuttles and jet
boat ride.*In or after significant rain, may ride as a grade
4. Check track status on the Official Mountains To Sea
website before riding.
Mountains to Sea - Ngā Ara Tūhono
Ohakune Old Coach Road and the Mangapurua are part
of the Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride. If
you’re looking for a varied multi-day ride from the top of
Turoa ski field right to the Tasman Sea at Whanganui,
there are a couple of options to choose from, the Classic
Experience, or the Adventure Route, or sections of the
track make great day rides. Have a look at Fishers Track,
Kaiwhakauka and Marton Sah and Door.
For more info to plan your trip visit:
www.visitruapehu.com. You can also download
ride maps from the official websites, Timber Trail and
Mountains to Sea.
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