Mount Hikurangi Bike 'n' Hike

by Paul Kennett from Classic NZ MTB Adventures

back to: Hikurangi > Attractions > MTBing

 

This MTB experience is suitable for intermediate adventurers in summer, 1-2 days.

 

Summary

High above the East Cape, Hikurangi is a peak entwined in both ancient and modern legend. Maori tradition tells of the peak being the resting place of Maui and his canoe after he hauled up the North Island on his fishing line. More recently it has become renowned for being the first place to see the light of the new day. At 1752 metres, Hikurangi is the highest non-volcanic peak in the North Island.

Climbing Hikurangi involves winding up through farmland, before entering the bush and continuing up onto the crescent-shaped summit. It's worth riding a mountain bike as far up as possible; it's howling good fun on the way back down.

 

How to get there

From Gisborne, travel 130 km north on Highway 35 until you reach a gravel road on your left, signposted to Pakihiroa Station. This is a few kilometres north of Ruatoria. After 20 km you'll pass a turn-off to the DOC Raparapaririki Homestead. About a hundred metres further down the road, turn left and cross the Tapuaeroa River to Pakihiroa Station.

 

Description

Pakihiroa Station is one of the many East Cape farms losing its land, roads and buildings under rapidly rising riverbeds. This is because the mountains on the East Cape are eroding faster than the rivers can carry away the debris.

After crossing the Tapuaeroa River, leave your car near the sheds at the bottom of the hill. Take the road going straight up the hill past the houses; you'll find the 4WD track up to Hikurangi veering off to the left through a gate, a few metres before the road ends at the top house.

It's not possible to see the mountain from the valley, only the sheer cliffs of Wharekia to the south and Whanokao to the west. You have to climb steeply up to 423 metres where the ridge flattens out before you get your first glimpse of Hikurangi.

Ignore the turn-off to the left after the fifth gate and continue climbing steeply. Two more gates and a rusty old shed down to the right are passed before you reach a fork in the track. Veer left and continue for another 300 metres until, after a slight downhill, an indistinct foot track branches off to the left. This track is marked by an almost invisible cairn accompanied by an equally indistinguishable reflector far off in the distance. You can either leave your bikes here, or carry them up through a landscape of old tree stumps to the Gisborne Canoe and Tramping Club Hut (16 bunks), about 30 minutes away. Carrying bikes up to the hut is a grind, but it's worth it if you enjoy face-planting on extreme downhills.

Whether you're biking or walking, the hut should take 3-5 hours to reach from Pakihiroa Station. It has good views and the only water on the trip, so is a logical place to stay the night. The summit is 1-2 hours' climb from here.

Climb steeply up the hill directly behind the hut, into the bush and onto a more gentle ridge that leads up to the tops. Once in the alpine scrub, follow the snow poles around the west side of Hikurangi. When the snow poles finish, sidle across scree slopes to an obvious chute which takes you, wheezing and panting, to a saddle just below the summit. The highest point is marked by a trig on your right, five minutes away. Move your group up this chute together to reduce the chance of someone being hit by a dislodged rock. In winter, snow and ice make this a serious alpine climb from the chute onwards.

There are some fantastic views from the top of this sharp summit. To the west is the vast and mostly untracked Raukumara State Forest Park. On your way down, watch out for the snow poles after emerging from the bottom of the chute. If you've left bikes at the hut, look out for the gates as you ride down - they come up quickly. Always leave them as you found them: open, shut or stuck to your front forks.

 

Landowners

Hikurangi belongs to Ngati Porou. Permission to cross Pakihiroa Station must be obtained from the Station Manager beforehand, phone (06) 864 0962.

 

Notes

You may want to cycle the 20 km from the highway to Pakihiroa Station, as there are two fords along the way that are often too rough for 2WD cars. Accommodation is available at Raparapaririki Homestead. It is locked so contact DOC in Gisborne for the keys, phone (06) 867 8531. The Gisborne Tramping and Canoe Club hut cost $2 per night; book with Chris Sharp, phone (06) 862 5677. Take plenty of water - this area can be hot and dry. There isn't usually snow on the summit in summer but it pays to check with DOC. Topomap Y15 Hikurangi is essential.

 

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