Puketoi Explorer
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Route Overview
General Overview
This Adventure is made up of the best gravel back roads from Woodville and looping back to Woodville via Akitio.
The Puketoi Explorer is a full day route that includes some of the best public gravel roads in the area. The route leads you through some of the North Island's wildest, stunningly beautiful, and most unspoilt terrain.
While the route has to include some tarmac to link everything up, the majority of this route is made up of gravel roads that are great fun. If you are looking for a full day trip departing from Woodville, and a stop for a lunch at Akitio, then this Adventure is a perfect option.
This Adventure is best traveled in good weather as the views on a clear day are outstanding.
Start/Finish Point
While this Adventure can be started at any point along the route, the natural start/finish point is Woodville. At this location there is a fuel station to fuel up for the day. The GPX files and route information supplied for this Adventure start and finish at Woodville.
Terrain includes
This route aims to have as many gravel roads as possible and while there are still a 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 to 3 if wet.
Distance
276 Km.
Max Fuel Leg
The maximum distance between fuel stops is 260 km.
Travel Time
This is a full day trip. The actual time taken will depend on how long you spend at some of the natural stopping points such as the lookouts, lakes, rivers etc. The average seat time for the entire route is 6.00 hours. It is recommended to start this route early in the morning so that you are not rushing later in the day.
Accommodation
Woodville. The accommodation options are restricted to motels.
More details are on accommodation are provided in the Leg 1 route notes.
Access Permission
All roads within this Adventure are publicly accessible, except for the following road:
At present Puketoi Road is CLOSED to the general public.
Please contact:
Maria Robbie
Ph 0277252016
To request access.
They are very happy for genuine and respectful adventurers with appropriate equipment to pass through.
Please don't abuse the privilege.
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 very slippery, muddy sections. ie Puketoi Road.
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.
