Opononi to Mangonui
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Route Overview
General Overview
This Adventure was created and personally logged by Ross Bowden. Ross is a keen adventure rider with an extensive knowledge of the remote North Island track network.
This route is a section of The Far North Adventure Route.
It is a day trip that makes up the section from Opononi to Mangonui and includes some of the best public gravel roads in the area. It passes through the Raetea Forest, the Mangamuka Gorge, then the Te Koroa Scenic Reserve.
This Adventure is best traveled in good weather as the views on a clear day are superb.
Start/Finish Point
This is an A to B route. Starting at Opononi and ending at Mangonui. The GPX files are in this direction but it can be traveled in either direction.
Terrain includes
This route aims to have as many gravel roads as possible and while there are still a reasonable number of tarmac stretches, nice and windy, the number of gravel roads will please any gravel seeker. All the gravel roads included in this route are Grade 1 in dry conditions.
After leaving Opononi you reach Rawene and catch the ferry for a short ride to Kohukohu. The GPX file includes Kohukohu where there are two cafes.
The first gravel section is on Runaruna Road. Next is the section through the Raetea Forest, which is covered in kauri and towai. It is then SH1 through the Mangamuka Scenic Gorge, to the highlight of Fern Flat Road through the Te Koroa Scenic Reserve.
Distance
180 km.
Max Fuel Leg
155 km if you fuel up at Rawene.
Travel Time
Average travel time is 4.5 hours at a steady pace allowing plenty of time to have a good look around some of the interesting places.
Access Permission
All roads within this Adventure are publicly accessible so access permission is not required.
Access Limitations
This Adventure is recommended for fine weather. While it is possible to travel this route all year round, if there has been recent heavy rain there can be slippery, muddy sections.
Safety
While this is not considered a technical route it does include a few semi-remote areas so it is recommended to travel as a group with typical equipment including tools, spares and a PLB or emergency beacon.
