New Zealand Cycle Touring Route - Otorohanga to Stratford

This route allows you to ride south down the west side of the North Island to Taranaki. The ride will take you through back country New Zealand, where in parts the forest is as it was in most of the North Island in pre European times. While the ride total distance is only 241 kilometres the topography is very hilly in an isolated part of New Zealand which is known as the Forgotten Highway. The country is isolated and hilly with lots of climbing as well as shingle roads. The remoteness and the landscape are part of the attraction of riding the Forgotten Highway but you need to be fit enough for the hills and leave yourself plenty of time to enjoy the ride. In its favour the road has little traffic and the some of the few motorists we met on the road stopped for a friendly conversation.

Republic of Whangamomona Hotel

We took the back road from Otorohanga to Waitomo a distance of 14ks and spent some time in the Ruakuri reserve and walkway which is well worth a look. From Waitomo, we made our way to Piopio via the Aria and Waitewhena roads a distance of 32 kilometres. We stayed in the Tui Park camping ground which is a a great spot for cyclists.

 

Piopio camping ground

The next day was a 57 kilometre ride from Piopio to Ohura. There is not a lot of accommodation to be found in Ohura but we stayed in a Yurt which was good.

From Ohura to Whangamomona is 58 kilometres and includes the Tahora Saddle and the Tangarakau Gorge which is unsealed.

We stayed in a farm stay at the top of the Tahora Saddle which has a fantastic camping ground right at the summit. In the morning we coasted down the hill into Whangamomona where the hotel is a great place for a meal. 

Tahora Saddle

 

From Whangamomona to Purangi is 32 kilometres but there are two saddles the Whangamomona and the Pohokura to climb. At Purangi there is a farm stay the Old School House which is a good place for cyclists to stay.

From	To	Distance
Otorohonga	Waitomo	14.4
Waitomo	Piopio	32.4
Piopio	Ohura	57.0
Ohura	Whangamomona	57.9
Whangamomona	Purangi	31.5
Purangi	Stratford	47.9
Total		241.1