Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and was introduced at the 1996 Olympics. Whangamata has excellent all-year-round riding, with good conditions in winter and close proximity to town as well as in the Opoutere and Ohui areas. You might like to try mountain biking on the extensive forestry network of roads that offer unparalleled opportunities to enjoy this activity.
There is a wide range of cycles for hire locally, and also good advice on where to go and what conditions to expect.

Luck at Last

For intermediate riders, 2-4 hours; 25 km.

Head northwest out of Whangamata on the main road. Almost 1 km after crossing the causeway bridge turn left onto the old pub road (Whangamata bypass). Turn right at the next fork, then, after a few hundred metres, turn right to hop over a gate and cycle across a ford. After about five minutes veer left on the main gravel road, then, at the next intersection, turn left and after another 50 metres veer right to climb uphill on a clay track.

From here stay on the main track. You'll climb a bit, before descending to a gravel road, then climb some more till you reach the top of 'Killer Hill'.

Not far from the top you'll reach a sign; 'View of Wharekawa Valley'. About 20 metres past it there is a small parking bay on your left and, next to the two punga, a single track heading into the forest (it's not obvious until you get right into the bush). Until recently this was a totally overgrown logging road, but it's been cut back by some keen Whangamata mountain bikers and now it's an excellent downhill to the Luck at Last mine.

At the bottom of the hill, turn left and follow a benched single track to the old mining town a few minutes away. The track past the mine is worth checking out. Not far along it you can head off to the left and walk to the top of the mine.

From the mine return along he benched single track, past the downhill you came in on, and across a logged area to a gravel road. Cross a gravel ford and turn right. Then cross a concrete ford and follow the main road out to Highway 26. Jump over the access gate and head right to Whangamata 7 km away.

Track conditions
30% sealed road, 50% gravel, 18% single track, 2% unrideable.

Other users
Day walkers and forestry workers.

Notes
Be careful not to spook walkers. The ride can be shortened considerably by heading into the mine from the access gate at Highway 25, and back out the same way - this cuts out most of the hill climbing. Or it can be lengthened by heading back into town via Ridge Road - turn right about 1 km past the concrete ford.

This excerpt © NZ Mountain Biking Web-site.